IMPACT OF THE EARTHQUAKE OF 1897 IN AGRICULTURE AND TRADE OF COLONIAL ASSAM

The paper attempts to elucidate the impact of the earthquake of 1897 on the trade and agriculture of colonial Assam. The paper is not limited to impact only, it also tries to analyse the responses of the colonial government in the aftermath of the earthquake. Assam lies in one of the most active seismic region in the world. This region has been experiencing innumerous earthquake since time immemorial. The frequent earthquakes of this region have far reaching impact on the lives, history, culture, society and economy the people. On 12th June, 1897 Assam was struck by an earthquake of a great severity with magnitude of about 9.7 on the Richter scale. It destroyed a large numbers of masonry building, houses, telegraph lines, railways, roads, bridges and other government and private properties. The earthquake had a devastating impact on the river regime and channels. Trade and commerce of this region suffered considerably. Agriculture received severe setback. The earthquake had made thousands of acres of cultivable land by permanently covering them with sand and water.