Occupation and Identity: Frameworking the Social History of the Morias in Assam
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https://doi.org/10.66871/trf-j.v1i4.018##semicolon##
Morias##common.commaListSeparator## Artisan Community##common.commaListSeparator## Brass metal industry##common.commaListSeparator## Paik system##common.commaListSeparator## Colonial Ethnography##common.commaListSeparator## Identity##article.abstract##
The Morias are the earliest Muslim settlers of eastern Assam and known for their historical association with the traditional brass metal craft of the Brahmaputra valley. This paper examines the social basis of the Morias of Assam, highlighting how occupation became the primary marker of their identity since pre-colonial to the colonial periods. Incorporated into the Ahom paik system, the Morias emerged as a specialised brass metal artisan community under the courtly patronage, contributing significantly to the craft-economy and war technology of pre-colonial Assam. British rule changed Assam’s existing political-economic structure, threatening indigenous craft industries. However, despite hardships and continued exploitation, the Morias preserved their hereditary craft, and one of Assam’s unique cultural heritages. Over time, for occupational reason, the Morias were settled in different parts of Assam developing a distinct Moria identity. Although, they are not associated with their hereditary craft as a community at present, some pockets still continue and preserve it. Drawing on historical texts such as buranjis, colonial ethnographies and Assamese literary sources, the paper argues that occupational continuity has till present time remained central to the Moria social identity, illustrating the pre-colonial and colonial social basis of the Morias in Assam.
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For example, Moriagaon, in mauza Binburi of Gabru Tehsil and Moriagaon on the Boreli river.
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A fieldwork was undertaken by the researcher on 18/10/2024.
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