After the fall of the entire India as well as Assam under the British in 1826, many young women and men from Assam, like other parts of India, jumped into the nationwide freedom movement against the British. Many young women and men actively participated in this freedom movement in the interest of the country and created a sense of patriotism. Tarun Ram Phukan is one of the strongest soldiers in the freedom struggle against the British. Tarun Ram Phukan’s uncompromising stance and courage gave a new impetus to the non-cooperation movement in Assam. He is a symbol of patriotism, sacrifice and courage, he is not a person he is a show that reminds us of the spirit of sacrifice for the country at every time. Apart from this, Phukan played an important role in polishing the national reality, language culture by representing the Assamese nation through literary practices.
Biography of Tarun Ram Phukan
| Name | Tarun Ram Phukan[1] |
| Date of Birth | January 22,1877 |
| Place of Birth | Bharlumukh, Guwahati, Assam |
| Father | Balaram Phukan |
| Mother | Bhagirathi Devi |
| Education | 1/ Guwahati Collegiate School 2/ Calcutta Presidency College |
| Awards | Patriot |
| Death | July 28,1939 |
Early life
Tarun Ram Phukan, one of the leaders of Assam who actively joined India’s freedom struggle, he was born on January 22,1877 at Bharlumukh in Guwahati. His father’s name was Balaram Phukan and his mother’s name was Bhagirathi Devi. Professionally Tarum Ram Phukan’s father Balaram Phukan was the king of Bijni and was a master hunter. Importantly, Ananda Ram Dhekial Phukan, one of the writers of Assamese language of modern times, is the former man of Tarun Ram Phukan. It may be recalled that Tarun Ram Phukan had studied Sanskrit under Guru in his residence instead of starting formal education within the school limits. He later enrolled in Guwahati Collegiate School and passed the entrance examination in 1892 with a student scholarship from collegiate school. After passing the entrance exam, he enrolled in presidency college in Kolkata and from there he clears the F. A. exam. Tarun Ram Phukan, who is in strong craving for barristers, subsequently travels to London to study Barrister-at-Law. Importantly he achieved pride as the third barrister of Assam despite tough challenges.
Also Read: Biography of Gunaram Khanikar
Career
Tarun Ram Phukan first became a lawyer in Kolkata after meeting his desire to become a barrister. Later he was subsequently appointed professor at The Earl Law College founded in Guwahati in 1914. Importantly, he first participated in India’s freedom struggle against the British in 1914. Tarun Ram Phukan was also a member of the delegation that marched to the Montego Reforms Committee in 1917 and the main purpose of the march/yatra was to demand autonomy for Assam.
Tarun Ram Phukan, who served as a special member of the then only political organization in Assam called Assam association in 1920, played an important role in establishing the National Congress branch of India in Assam in 1921.
Importantly, in 1920, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, there was a non-cooperation movement against the British all over India and this movement spread to Assam as well. For which Tarun Ram Phukan, politically conscious and socially responsible, actively participated in the movement. The active participation of Tarun Ram Phukan enabled the non-cooperation movement in Assam to give a new uncompromising momentum. Importantly, following Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals, Tarun Ram Phukan, who actively participated in the non-cooperation movement, Mahatma Gandhi took shelter at Phukan’s residence in Bharulumukh when he came to Assam. During the non-cooperation movement, Phukan played an important role in spreading various messages of Mahatma Gandhi in different parts of Assam. Importantly, Phukan was sentenced to a year’s rigorous imprisonment by the British government for actively participating in the non-cooperation movement. It may be recalled that Phukan joined the ‘Swaraj Dal’ formed by Chitra Ranjan Das and Motilal Nehru after his release from jail. The main objective of the Swaraj party formed by Chitra Ranjan Das and Motilal Nehru was to bring more autonomy and political freedom from British rule.
Importantly, Tarun Ram Phukan took up efforts to make the Indian National Congress General Assembly held in Pandu a success in 1926. He took over as the chairman of the reception committee set up to hold the Indian National Congress General Assembly.
Phukan served as chairman of municipal and local council in Guwahati. He took various steps for the deprived of various benefits of the society. Importantly he also played an active role in establishing Leper Asylum.
Literary work
Not only a struggling person but Tarun Ram Phukan was also a man of equal possession in the field of literature. He has also made an important contribution to the social life of Assam through literary practices. In addition to publishing articles, poems in various paper magazines, Phukan actively participated in the freedom struggle in 1921 and wrote the only book of devotional songs and poems ‘Stitimala’ while living a year of hard imprisonment in Silchar jail. This poetry book was first published in 1926. Apart from this many other poems of Phukan have been published in the collection of ‘Maraha Phool Papri’ edited by Atul Chandra Hazarika.
Tarun Ram Phukan was a hunting favorite man. Various exciting experiences acquired by hunting to the reader community have been recorded in book size by the reader in the name of ‘Hunting Story’ to the society. It may be recalled that he had written and published the story of hunting in Assamese for the first time. He also wrote the book ‘Sexual Theory’ suitable for married life and wrote khuhutiya poems called ‘Ningni Bhavaria’s Song. Phukan beautifully narrates the rough and tough things of Silchar jail life through Ningni Bhavaria through this khuhutiya poem.
Importantly, Tarun Ram Phukan decorated the Assam Sahitya Sabha president’s seat held in Goalpara in 1927. He also served as president of Assam Students’ Conference in 1928.
Other talents as well as interests
Tarun Ram Phukan, who was a struggling person and made an outstanding contribution to the Assamese literary field, was a well-to-do man. He was the first cyclist and motorcycle driver in Assam. Phukan was also the first Assamese to cycle on the highway in Kolkata while studying in Kolkata at that time. Tarun Ram Phukan, who was always interested in adventure, went to a remote place and hunted tigers and enjoyed it. Hunting tigers was one of his favorite tasks. Tarun Ram Phukan who is almost unique in speech and intelligence present had occupied in Bengali, Hindi, Urdu and Sanskrit besides English and Assamese languages. He was able to speak in a simple manner in other dewans prevalent in Assam besides Assamese language.
Importantly, Tarun Ram Phukan, played a leading role in the freedom movement, played an important role in motivating the youth to the freedom struggle of India. Tarun Ram Phukan, who actively participated in the freedom movement without compromise, was awarded the title of ‘Patriot’.
Conclusion
Socially responsible Tarun Ram Phukan faced various straits and challenges in his personal life. His wife and daughter succumbed to premature death from tuberculosis. But despite this tragedy, he continued to do his work for his body and mind like a wise man, not perturbed by the resolve. In addition he had to face various problems while pursuing barrister due to financial difficulties.
He was very sympathetic to the poor, a man of leadership, Phukan, who emphasized self-reliance, died on July 24, 1936. Importantly, in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sharma, the Assam government announced that the day of Tarun Ram Phukan’s death will be celebrated on July 28, 2021 as Patriotism Day.
Tarun Ram Phukan is one of the individuals whose personality and patriotism has resulted in modern Assam. Tarun Ram Phukan’s love of the country and the trend of patriotism he created is the path for the new generations.
FAQ
1. When and where was Tarun Ram Phukan born?
Ans: He was born in January 22, 1877 at Bharlumukh, Guwahati, Assam.
2. By what name he was popularly known as?
Ans: He was popularly known as Deshbhakta.
3. Name the Kuhutiya poem written by him?
Ans: Kuhutiya poem written by him is ‘Ningni Bhavaria’s Song where he beautifully narrates the rough and tough things of Silchar jail life.
4. When did Tarun Ram Phukan actively participated in the freedom struggle?
Ans: He actively participated in the freedom struggle in 1921.
5. When did Tarun Ram Phukan wrote the book Stitimala and when it was published?
Ans: He wrote the book ‘Stitimala‘ while living a year of hard imprisonment in Silchar jail and the book was published in 1926.
6. When did he served as the president of Assam Sahitya Sabha?
Ans: He served as the president of Assam Sahitya Sabha in 1927.
7. When did he served as the president of Assam Students’ Conference?
Ans: He served as the president of Assam Students’ Conference in 1928.
8. When did Tarun Ram Phukan established the National Congress branch of India in Assam?
Ans: He established the National Congress branch of India in Assam in 1921.
9. Why Phukan was sentenced to imprisoned by British government?
Ans: Phukan was sentenced to a year’s rigorous imprisonment by the British government for actively participating in the non-cooperation movement led by Mahatma Gandhi.
10. What was the main objective for the formation of Swaraj Party?
Ans: The main objective of the Swaraj party formed by Chitra Ranjan Das and Motilal Nehru was to bring more autonomy and political freedom from British rule.
11. When did Tarun Ram Phukan died?
Ans: He died on July 24, 1936.
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