Colonial-era police stations in Assam—once symbols of British oppression and later sites of heroic sacrifice during India’s freedom struggle—have been restored to their original appearance more than a century after they were built.
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| Hpstorical Gohpur police station, Assam, youtube.com |
In the northeastern state of Assam, several colonial police stations still stand, though until recently many had fallen into disrepair. Heritage enthusiasts and local citizens alike urged the government to preserve these relics of a bygone era—not to celebrate colonialism, but to remember the struggles and sacrifices that paved the way for India’s independence. This preservation effort serves as a reminder of the dark history of exploitation by colonial rulers, whose alleged looting is estimated by some historians to have amounted to roughly $7 trillion.
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| restored colonial police stations, Assam,indianexpress.com |
According to the Directorate of Archaeology of Assam, three police stations have been selected for restoration: Gohpur Police Station (Biswanath District): Built in 1901, it is among the oldest in the region. Chatia Police Station (Biswanath District): Constructed in 1913. Dhekiajuli Police Station (Sonitpur District): Also established in 1913.
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| Location of colonial police stations, Assam,India. mapsofindia.com |
These buildings were once feared as instruments of colonial power. However, during the Quit India Movement of 1942, they became stages for defiant acts of patriotism. On September 20, 1942, freedom fighters in Assam risked their lives by hoisting the national flag at these very sites. At Dhekiajuli, protests turned violent—resulting in the deaths of eight people, including three women. Among the martyrs was a brave teenage girl who led a procession to the police station and lost her life under heavy gunfire. The legacy of martyrs like 17-year-old Kanaklata Barua of Gohpur, as well as freedom fighter Mukunda Kakoty, continues to inspire generations.
The Wider Context of the Freedom Struggle
While Assam was geographically distant from the main centers of protest in central and western India, it played a crucial role in the national movement. Beyond these three restored stations, even older police stations in Naharkatia and Dibrugarh—dating back to the 1850s during the East India Company’s rule—stand as historical witnesses. During the tumultuous years of the Quit India Movement, secret meetings and underground activities were held in these regions. Notably, in Dhekiajuli, a 12-year-old girl named Tileshwari Barua was martyred on the same day as Kanaklata Barua, and the town still observes September 20 as Martyrs’ Day.
Restoration Efforts
The restoration project, overseen by the district administration and led by officer Kangkon Jyoti Saikia, has meticulously preserved the original layouts and heritage values of these sites. The Archaeology Department has noted that this is the first time such an extensive colonial-era restoration project has been undertaken in Assam.
A Lasting Legacy
Today, the restored police stations in Chatia, Gohpur, and Dhekiajuli stand not only as architectural relics but also as poignant memorials to the sacrifices made during India’s fight for freedom. They offer future generations a tangible connection to the past—a means to understand both the struggles and the resilience that defined a nation’s journey to independence. Based on 2020 old post.
https://www.navrangindia.in/2020/11/colonial-police-stations-of-assam-india.html
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