History of The Hazarika and Rahman Families of Assam

Lineage, Short Stories and Photographs

“THE HAZARIKA’S OF MOTIJAN”

The Hazarika family in the words of Sharif Mohammed Shah Hussain Hazarika great grandson of Ali Ahmed Hazarika became resident’s of “Motijan” in 1893. Sharif Hazarika compiled the Hazarika chronology and family tree during the late 1960's and early 1970’s.

Ali Ahmed Hazarika alias Tholok Hazarika was born in Sankat, India in 1787 and died in Jorhat, Assam, India in 1860. Ali Ahmed Hazarika’s ancestor’s got their titled name from the Assam Ahom Kings where they were constant visitors.

Many years ago during the time of the Mughals and the time of Emperors Shah Jehan and Aurangzeb a small group of people from Northern India, Delhi, Utter Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh (Bundelkhand) went to Assam, some with introductions from an Afghan Royal to the courts of the Ahom Kings at their capital Gargoan near Sibsagar. From Gargoan they and their descendents migrated towards Jorhat a small town 50 miles away and then to surrounding villages within a 20 mile radius. They had a variety of backgrounds, military, scribes, metal craftsmen, etc.

Ali Ahmed Hazarika’s ancestors came from Bundelkhand a geographic region in central India and some of the family migrated to Assam around 1630’s during the time of Mughal Emperor’s Shah Jehan and Aurangzeb. The region today is divided between the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, with the larger portion lying in Madhya Pradesh. A very small group of talented individuals with a variety of talents migrated from Bundelkhand and other areas of North India to Assam during the 1600’s and soon through introductions from an Afghan Royal became integrated in the Ahom Kings court at Sibsagar.

   The Hazarika’s of Motijan migrated to Jorhat, then Titabar and Heelikha, 12 miles from Jorhat and twelve miles from Golaghat. There were other families related to them today (2006) by marriage (and probably in the 1650’s) that also migrated around the same time around the Golaghat area.

   The family of Azizur Rahman were scribes and moved to Kachirihat a small town near Golaghat which is 10 miles from Titabar. As the Burmese army invaded Assam they fled by boat along the Brahamaputra river then on the Golong river near Nowgong and finally to Puronigodam. The Burmese army known as “Moi” were a barbarous lot that did not spare the children or women during their many intrusions into Assam. People therefore fled when they were approaching.

   The family of Parie Hazarika, great grandfather of Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed who became President of India in the 1970’s, moved to Kachirihat from Gargoan.

   The family of Sir Syed Saadullah, the first Chief Minister of Assam moved to Kachirihat near Golaghat and like the Hazarika’s established the Syedbari tea estate that is still run by his descendents (2006).

   The family of Khan Bahadur Azizur Rahman, father of Khan Bahadur Sayedur Rahman moved to Fauzdar Goan in Guwahati.

A limited first edition of the family tree of the Hazarika’s of Motijan, Assam, India was published in 1997 and only a few hard copy books of the first edition remain with a few family members along with the original manuscripts.

A second limited edition was published in 2008 that traced roots of the family back to 1640 and added another two current generations to 2007 a span of 367 years. This second edition included photographs and short stories about the family. It also included the family tree of Rukhsana Hazarika (daughter of Ataur and Saleha Rahman) wife of Tawheed Hazarika and her ancestors, the families of Azizur Rahman and Khan Bahadur Sayedur Rahman.

This is the first time that a web version is being made available. This third version is essentially the second edition with some minor modifications and it is offered to all who are interested free of charge. Simply send an email request to mailto:motijan@comcast.net and you will be given access to the full contents.

 To read the summary now, click here.