The department of Anthropology, North Gauhati College was introduced during the academic session 1972-73 as two years P.U. Course (then under G.U.). The then principal Sri Munindra Kumar Barooah took keen interest in the establishment of the department with a view to widen the academic scope of the college.
The department was started by Mrs. Nalini Das M.Sc., but she had to leave the institution within a very short period (01.08.1972 to 31.12.1972). Thereafter, Mr. Hasmat Ali M.Sc. took over the charge of the department as the head in the year 1973. Thus, under his able guidance the department started its proper functioning. The first batch of P.U. examinees appeared in 1974 and showed very satisfactory result in the college. The then Governing Body of the College was pleased to award a cash reward of Rs. 100/- to the HoD for such a brilliant performance. The Governing Body of the College also declared the department as “the Best” in the college for three consecutive years so far as the P.U. examination was concerned and awarded a trophy to the department for the same. The department was upgraded to ‘Degree’ level from the academic session 1978-79.
The department continued to show satisfactory results in various final examinations both under the AHSEC and G.U. However, for the lack of infrastructure and other financial problems, the college could not afford to open Major Course for a long period up to 1994. The first batch of students in major course appeared in 1996 final examination and since then the subsequent batches have been able to show satisfactory results in all the examinations.
In the year 1999, Miss Minakshi Sarma, a student of this department not only secured 1st class 1st position in the B.A. final examination of G.U., but also secured the highest aggregate marks amongst all the successful candidates offering major in various subjects of Arts under G.U. She was thus, adjusted as The Best Graduate in the faculty of Arts for that year. She also secured the B.S. Guha Memorial Gold Medal of G.U. for the same. Further, Miss Dipannita Bhattacharya secured the State highest marks in Anthropology in the H.S. Final Examination, 2002 under the AHSEC. Besides, every year a good number of students secures letter marks in the H.S. Final Examination and 1st Class in the B.A./B.Sc. Final Year Examination under G.U.
Since the beginning of this department, a number of popular talks, guest lectures and other academic discussions have been organised for the benefit of the students and teachers from time to time. Late Professor M.C. Goswami, Professor Emeritus of G.U and the Father of Anthropology in North-East India, Late Professor B.M Das, Late Professor A.C. Bhagabati, Late Dr. D.N. Majumdar, Late Dr. H.C. Sarma, Professor T.C. Sarma, Professor A.N.M. Irshad Ali, Late Dr. Sunil Kumar Baruah, and Dr. Sukanya Sharmah (IIT Gauhati) were the eminent persons to grace the department for the said purpose.
Objective of the Department:
•To teach the students as per Gauhati University Syllabus and thereby make them understand mankind.
•To propagate scientific knowledge of man as a biological as well as a cultural being amongst the students.
•To study the different ethnic groups of this region through fieldwork.
Mission of the Department:
To educate the youths so that they can understand scientifically the biological and cultural diversities of the people of this region and thereby help in creating better understanding among the people as well as in the developmental activities of this area. This is being achieved through the syllabus-based semester wise project works and ethnographic field works conducted every year among different ethnic communities of Assam as well as North East India.
Presently, there are 04 faculty members in the department. The department is well-equipped with a Physical Anthropology and a Prehistoric Archaeology laboratory, and has an impressive ethnographic museum. The department library has a good collection of books on different areas and sub-fields of anthropology. The ethnographic museum of the department was developed in the memory of Late Sarnalata Das and Late Amrit Das by courtesy of Dr. Sandhaya Das, Former Head of the Department of Anthropology.
Infrastructure and Facilities: (Laboratory, Classroom, and Departmental Space:
The Anthropology Department at North Gauhati College is equipped with a range of facilities designed to support both theoretical learning and practical research, notably including specialized laboratories and an ethnographic museum.
•Ethnographic Museum: A key resource is the department\'s well-maintained Ethnographic Museum, which houses a rich collection of material culture and artifacts, particularly from the indigenous communities of Northeast India. This serves as a valuable academic and cultural resource, offering practical insights into regional history and cultural identity.
•Departmental Library: The college has a central library, which is supplemented by departmental-based library facilities.
•Internet Access: The department, like the rest of the campus, has access to Wi-Fi connectivity from the department\'s fiber broadband connections, facilitating access to online resources and research databases.
•Research Focus: The department encourages student in-house projects and field visits to gain first-hand experience and practical knowledge.
Laboratory Facilities:
•Specialized Laboratories: The department is explicitly stated to be "well equipped with Laboratory facilities" for conducting practical work in specific sub-fields of anthropology.
•Physical Anthropology and Prehistoric Archaeology: The laboratories are designed to support practical studies in Physical Anthropology and Prehistoric Archaeology. This includes learning about human skeletal remains, identification techniques, and data analysis.
•Computer Laboratory Access: Students have access to the college\'s general computer laboratories, which are equipped with necessary software for coursework and data analysis, with high-speed internet connectivity.
•Periodical Upgrades: Laboratories across the college are periodically upgraded and equipment is maintained through an annual budget.
Classroom Infrastructure:
•General Classrooms: The college provides standard classrooms for theoretical instruction. There have been mentions in institutional reports about the need for classrooms to be upgraded with more technology-enabled tools (ICT).
•Teaching Aids: The college generally utilizes modern teaching aids, and faculty members have developed various teaching-learning content such as PPT files, videos, and PDF notes, which are accessible to students via the what\'s up group, college website.
•Learning Environment: The college aims to provide an environment conducive to learning, where the role of teachers in the classrooms is that of facilitators.
Academic documentation and Records (Teaching-Learning, Departmental activities):
Teaching-Learning Documentation and Records:
The department of Anthropology maintains comprehensive documentation of the teaching-learning process:
•Lesson Plans and Progress Reports: Teachers prepare detailed teaching plans and lesson plans for the entire academic session. Departmental meetings are organized to reviewed to track curriculum implementation and inform future planning.
•Study Materials: Faculty members develop various teaching-learning content, including PPT files, PDF notes, which are made accessible to students, often via the what\'s up group.
•Attendance Records: Student attendance is rigorously tracked and must be submitted to the office during examination form fill-ups, with HOD verification.
•Assessment Records: An efficient system of continuous internal assessment is in place. Records for internal tests, assignments, and semester-end practical examinations are meticulously maintained.
•Student Performance: Academic results, including achievements like producing the university\'s best graduate in the past, are recorded and highlighted. Remedial measures for slow learners and advanced opportunities for high achievers are also documented.
Library Resources:
The Library Resources available to the Anthropology Department at North Gauhati College primarily stem from the central college library.
•Departmental Facilities: The Anthropology Department has its own well-equipped laboratory for Physical Anthropology and Prehistoric Archaeology practical work, and an impressive Ethnographic Museum, which supplements the library resources.
•Total Books: The departmental library holds over 500 books and references on anthropology and allied subjects
•Fieldwork Documentation: The department regularly conducts and documents fieldwork in local communities (e.g., Baka Village, Jimiri Gaon,), with reports and dissertations often available within departmental or library records, enriching the localized study of Anthropology.
Present Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff
Teaching Staff:
1. Dr. Avijit Boruah, M.A.,NET, Ph.D. (Ex. HoD) (03.08.2011 to Present)
2. Dr. Anup Hazarika, M.Sc., NET, Ph.D. (02.09.2016 to Present)
3. Dr. Lalit Shrestha, M.A.(Double), SET, M. Phil., Ph.D. (23.01.2018 toPresent)
4. Dr. Ripunjoy Sonowal, M.Sc. SET, Ph.D. (05.03.2018 to Present)
Laboratory Bearer: Mr. Rupankar Das
The Department has achieved its present status through the restless efforts put by a group of eminent faculty members whom we cannot forget. They are: Dr. Sandhaya Das, M.Sc., Ph.D., Mr. Tikendra Jit Sarma, M.Sc., Mrs. S. Boishya, M.Sc. M.Phil. Nalini Das (Bharali), Jyoshna Hazarika, Kulen Saikia, Hiranya Devi, Dipika Devi, Dr. Dwijendra Kakati, Dr. Sukanya Sarma, Dr. Hridayananda Das, M.A., Ph.D. Prasanta Kr Sarma, Dr. Manalisha Barma, Silka Chamua, Namita Sinha, Dr. L. Sarma, Dr. Nayanika Das, Mr. Bikash Ranjan Tahbildar, Mr. J. Dihingia, and Dr. Bornali Das.
Mrs. Mondira Boro, Mr. Basanta Kakati and Mr. Bijanta Das served as laboratory bearers in the department.
