Published Paper Details:

The Northern Frontier of Assam occupied a unique position in British colonial policy due to its strategic location, difficult terrain, and diverse tribal population. Unlike the revenue-oriented administration of the plains, British engagement with the northern frontier was shaped primarily by concerns of security, frontier stability, and imperial geopolitics. This paper examines the nature, objectives, and impact of British policy in the Northern Frontier of Assam. It analyzes the principles of non-interference, the introduction of the Inner Line Regulation, punitive expeditions, and administrative arrangements such as Excluded and Partially Excluded Areas. The study argues that British frontier policy, while ensuring political control and protection of imperial interests, resulted in the long-term isolation and underdevelopment of the region. The legacy of this policy continues to influence contemporary governance and ethnic relations in Northeast India.