(University of North Bengal, 2018-03) Biswas, Supam
Societies and associations were the harbingers of the new awakening in Bengal among
urban middle class. Bengal or India had not known any such societies organised for
collective thinking and discussion until the 19th century. The journey of pubic
Associations in Undivided Bengal began with the foundation of Atmiya Sabha, Brahma
Samaj led by Raja Rammahan Roy the ‘Father of Modern India’. The northern part of
colonial Bengal also did not lag behind much in this field. A large number of socio –
cultural, religious, political Associations grew up under the patronage of urban middle
class, Jotedars, merchants, tea planters and the members of royal family Coochbehar,
Jalpaiguri. Professional historians appear to be reluctant to come forward to undertake
this task in a concerted and coordinated manner. This is the vacuum that this article
seeks to fill in.
