Miya people
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Miyas(মিঞা ) are a Muslim ethnic group in the Northeast Indian State of Assam.[1] The Miya's originated in the British Indian province of Bengal, which later became East Bengal during the Partition of Bengal (1905). They began to migrate to Assam before the British rule was started in Assam (1757)[2] and today are controversially considered Bangladeshis.[3]
Origins
They were forced to migrating to Assam due to attacks by the Zamindars during British rule and settled mainly in Undivided Goalpara and Kamrup district.[4] However, Undivided Goalpara district was not the part of Ahom kingdom as it was part of British Rule and the British Government had brought approximately 1350000 Miyas in this district.[5][failed verification]
Population
Miyas have a population of almost 5.5 million which is spread throughout Assam, though they are mainly concentrated in Barpeta, Dhuburi, Goalpara, Kamrup, Nagaon, Darrang, Chirang, Kokrajhar, South Salmara, Nalbari, Morigaon, and Bongaigaon.[citation needed] [6]
Term
Miya is a term used for Muslims who can trace their roots to East Bengal, but in places like Barpeta, Chirang, and Bongaigaon the term Shayk is used to describe them.[citation needed] In Dhuburi, Kokrajhar, Goalpara, and South Salmara, they refer to themselves as Bhatiya, and in Nagaon, Darrang, Morigaon, and Hojai they use the term Miya for themselves.[citation needed] Sometimes they are also known as Mymensinghia or Na-Asamiya (New Assamese).[citation needed] Assamese poet Jyotiprasad Agarwala termed them as Na-Asamiya because they adopted Assamese culture and language.[citation needed] Many scholars use the term Bongomuliya musalman (East Bengal rooted Muslims) and also Bengali Muslims. Finally, A group educationists and intellectuals have decided to accept their ethnicity as Miya in Assam.[2]
Language
The language of the Miya people consists of various dialects of Bengali.[citation needed] The Miya officially adopted the Assamese language during the language movement.[7][clarification needed]
References
- ^ Priyanka Borpujari. "Assam's 'Miya': Proving You Are Indian". The Diplomat. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
- ^ a b "Miya, Muslim and Assamese Socio-Political History of Assam". Indilens.com. 7 September 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
- ^ "Why all 'Miya Muslims' are seen as Bangladeshis in Assam". Dailyo.in. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
- ^ Uddin, Main. "Assamese Muslims of Brahmaputra Valley and Historical Background". Academia.edu. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
- ^ Gazette, The Milli (18 August 2012). "Muslims in Assam". Milligazette.com. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
- ^ "Dehumanising Muslims in Assam". thehoot.org. 23 December 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
- ^ "East Bengal rooted Muslim or Miyah and Line System in Assam-1920". Indilens.com. 11 December 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2019.