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One of the pioneering freedom fighters of the then Mangaldai Sub-Division and present Darrang district was Late Dineswar Sarma. He was popularly known in the district as Pandit Dineswar Sarma, as he started his career as school teacher. There are many freedom fighters in different corners of India who till the 75th years of India’s independence are unable to get a berth in the pages of history and among them Dineswar Sarma is one. He was at a time a renewed freedom fighter, shrewd orator, organizer, leader, teacher, writer, dramatist, noted historian, actor, reporter, social worker, reformer and astrologer. He was a stern follower of Gandhiji. Dineswar Sarmah’s first political Guru was Chandranath Sarma. He had started his career in 1917 at Biswanath Minor School and in 1921 resigned from his job to participate in the Non-Cooperation movement. He was the first person in Assam to go to jail for participating in the movement. In spite of his financial crisis and many disasters in family life, he was relentlessly involved in the freedom movement and social works. His selfless service had made him a popular and respectable leader of his area. He breathed his last in 1975 at the age of 82years. He was honoured with Copper Plate Citation on 15th August, 1972 at New Delhi by Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India for his meritorious service to the nation.

The aim of the study is to bring into light the contributions of the common people in the freedom movement of India in general and Pandit Dineswar Sarma in particular who had dedicated his life to plant the roots of nationalism for writing the success story of Indian freedom movement. This story will surely inspire the upcoming generations to devote their services for the nation.

In the context of provincial level, a number of works have been carried out by different scholars on the role of Assam in the freedom movement of India. Keshab Narayan Dutta’s Landmarks of the Freedom Struggle in Assam (1958), Amalendu Guha’s Planter-raj to Swaraj: Freedom Struggle & Electoral Politics in Assam (1977), S. L. Baruah’s A Comprehensive History of Assam (1985), Anuradha Dutta’s Assam in the Freedom Movement (1991), Arun Bhattacharjee’s Assam in Indian Independence (1993), H. K. Barpujari’s The Comprehensive History of Assam (1993), A. C. Bhuyan’s Political History of Assam (1999), Anil Kumar Sharma’s Quit India Movement in Assam (2007), Priyam Goswami’s The History of Assam: from Yandabo to partition, 1826-1947 (2012), Sanjay Sen’s History of Modern Assam (1826-1947) and a few articles published in North East India History Association’s annual conference proceedings are important to understand Assam’s position in the freedom movement of India. But most of these work except that of Sanjay Sen, failed to justify the role of the people of present Darrang district.

Apart from the above works, a few other important publications in regional level in both English and Assamese languages are include Dineswar Sarma’s Mangaldai Buranji (1961), Omeo Kumar Das’s Ashohoyog Andolanat Asom (1969) and Jiban-Smriti (1983), Satyanath Barua’s Bharatar Mukti Sangramat Mongaldoi (1974), Assam Govt’s Biyallishar Bharat Tyag Andolanat Asomor Bhumika (1993), Hem Chandra Sarma’s Smaranika (1994), Bijoy Chandra Bhagawti’s Pandit Dineswar Sarma Jiwan-Parikrama (2005), Phulendra Nath Saharia’s Mongaldoi Mihir Bipin Chandra Medhi (2012), Kumud Chandra Deka’s Darrangiya Mukti Jujarur Jeevani Kosh (2013), Binoy Ranjan Sarma’s Smaranika (2014), Samudra Gupta Kashyap’s Dhekiajuli 1942: The Untold Story (2022). These regional books are useful for understanding the position of present Darrang district in general and Dineswar Sarma in particular in the freedom movement of India. But in this case, cross-verification of some sources is necessary. 

The study is based on both the primary and secondary sources; while interview method is also followed. Primary sources included Archival reports, files and personal interviews and secondary sources comprised of different published books. The method used is historical research method based on empirical study.

Early Life and Career: He was born on the 7^th July of 1894 in Byaspara village under Lokrai Mauza of Darrang district. His father’s name was Dehiram Sarma and mother Rupeswari Devi. His father was a famous Oja (narrator cum art performer) of Byasar Oja. He was the eldest among their four brothers and his younger brother Tangkeswar Sarma was also a leading freedom fighter. He had completed his education in 1914 from Jorhat Normal School and started his career as teacher in Biswanath Minor School in 1917. After that he served in different schools under Mangaldai sub-division.

Political Career: Gandhi’s Satyagraha Movement based on truth and non-violence had greatly attracted young Dineswar Sarma. He was a stern follower of Gandhiji. Dineswar Sarmah’s first political Guru was Chandranath Sarma. In 1919, Chandranath Sarma came to the area encircling Patharighat for collection of funds to send Nabin Chandra Bordoloi and Prasanna Kumar Baruah to London. They were to place a demand for the rightful place of Assam province in the Government of India Act, 1919 as Assam was exceeded from the Montague-Chelmsford Reform, 1918.[1] Chandranath Sarma was impressed with the personality and shrewd oratory capability of Dineswar Sarma and predicted that one day he will be a good leader of Mangaldai. That was the starting point of his political career. Once he himself mentioned that his oratory skill was the obstacle for his service career, starting of political life, cripple of financial order and source of inspiration.[2]

The repressive Rowlatt Act, Jallianwala Bagh massacre and shortfalls of the Govt. of India Act, 1919 brought Mahatma Gandhi into the forefront, who launched his famous Non-Cooperation Movement in 1921.[3] Within a short period, the movement took the shape of nationwide movement. Dineswar Sarma was attracted towards the movement because of some particular reasons - firstly, love for the motherland, secondly, hatred towards British rule, thirdly, Gandhi’s ideology and finally, a platform for his oratory potentiality. He was in so love with his oratory capability that he used to organize debates among his school students and he himself joined with the students. In 1921, when Mahatma Gandhi first visited Guwahati, he along with a few students went to Guwahati and participated in the meeting and the Bonfire arranged to burn foreign goods. Later, he organized such programmes in Sipajhar areas and people, after his strong and inspiring speeches, used to throw their cloths to the bonfire including their wearing. Within a short period, Dineswar Sarma emerged as a popular speaker of the sub-division and became a centre of attraction for all the public meetings.  

Emergence of Gandhi in the Indian National Congress had brought about a radical change in Assam politics too. Leaders like Tarun Ram Phookan, Nabin Chandra Bardoloi, Prasanna Kumar Barua, Chandranath Sarma strongly advocated for active participation of Assam in the non-cooperation movement and urged that the Assam Association, the one and only political organization of Assam, should identify itself with the aims and methods of the Indian National Congress. The Assam Association in its annual session at Tezpur, December, 1920 resolved to adopt the programme of non-cooperation as outlined by the Nagpur session of the Indian National Congress. This was followed by a merging of the Assam Association with the newly formed Assam Provincial Congress Committee in 1921.[4] Dineswar Sarma, along with Loknath Goswami and Krishna Kanta Mahanta was present in that historic Tezpur session of the Assam Association representing the Mangaldai sub-division and carried the message of Non-Cooperation Movement to the sub-division.

In undivided Darrang district, the movement was primarily led by Omeo Kumar Das, Chandranath Sarma and Lakshmidhar Sarma. In Mangaldai sub-division, along with some other leading personalities, Dineswar Sarma came forward to take the lead of Non-Cooperation Movement under the banner of Assam Provincial Congress Committee. Responding to the boycott call of Gandhi, teachers, lawyers and other government officials of the district had left their jobs and taken up organizational works at various levels. Dineswar Sarma had resigned from his teaching job in Govt. M. V. School in 1921[5] and actively joined the movement.[6] He was the first person in Assam to go to jail for joining the movement.[7] He faced 3 months and 15 days of imprisonment during the Non-Cooperation Movement and the British authority auctioned his properties.[8] He was followed by Loknath Goswami from PWD department in Darrang who had also left his office. Kumud Ram Bora, Tapeswar Sarma and Loknath Goswami were some lawyers who had followed them, resigning from their practice at the bar and joined in the organizational works of the sub-division. Under his leadership, a large number of students also left their schools and actively participated in organizational works.

After Gandhi’s visit to Assam in 1921, Dineswar Sarma had actively taken lead of the Boycott movement. His strong speeches in different meetings in the sub-division had inspired the people to actively participate in the Non-Cooperation Movement.[9] Once in the midst of Motheni festival of Setmadar, he organized an awareness programme on spinning cotton in Charkha. When Dineswar Sarma started his speech, it resulted in a huge gathering, leaving the festival sideways. He took the lead in mobilizing congress volunteers, students and women to participate in hartals, picketing in front of shops of excisable goods and spinning cotton in the sub-division. He believed in the Gandhian principle of unity among Hindus and Muslims for achieving success in the movement. For the same he studied both the Gita and the Koran. He often gave references of these two books and used some Urdu words in his speeches to attract people whenever he delivered his lectures in Muslim dominated areas like Dumunichowki, Maroi, Muslimghupa, Patharighat, Katahi, etc.[10] In his patriotic poetry book ‘Mukti-Mantra’ too, he used a good number of Urdu-Arabic and Persian words from Urdu poetry.[11]

Gandhi’s fervent appeal ‘to make Assam free from opium’ had a stirring effect. In response of Gandhi's call, volunteers started to organize meetings and picketing in village against the use of opium, liquor, and foreign goods. Government adopted a firm stand against the drive. Because of his strong speeches, Dineswar Sarma became the target of the British authority. To restrict his activity, at Sipajhar, government appointed Dineswar Sarma itself along with Tanuram Saharia and Minai Deka as special police to inform the government about the activities of volunteers. Dineswar Sarma disobeyed the government order and was sent to jail for fifteen days, apart from being imposed a fine of Rs. 50.00. Because of non-payment of fine, the government had auctioned his property. On the other hand, on the expiry of fifteen days, he was ordered to give a written assurance thereon of not indulging in any anti-government activities in future. As he refused to do the same, he was again imprisoned for a term of three months. During the jail term he again refused to give ‘Salam Sarkar’ or salute to jail authority, and instead started slogan ‘Gandhiji ki joi’.[12] In 1923, he returned to his service because of financial crisis and continued till 1930.[13] 

The 41^st session of the Indian National Congress was held at Pandu in 1926. Dineswar Sarma was actively involved in organizational works. Under their leadership, the volunteers of Mangaldai sub-division worked hard and extended all possible support for the success of the session.[14] The session laid stress on Khadi and constructive programme. By 1927 spinning and weaving of Khadi was remarkably pursued by almost each and every family of Darrang under the supervision of congress volunteers.[15]

Mahatma Gandhi started the Civil Disobedience campaign with his famous march to Dandi on 12^th March, 1930. The people of Darrang largly participated in the movement by organizing meetings and demonstrations. For organizing picketing and meetings, Congress volunteers Dineswar Sarma, Ratneswar Sarma and Tangkeswar Sarma  along with a host of other volunteers both male and female like Mahananda Bora, Nemsing Deka, Laghanu Boro, Madhab Chaudhury, Danpati Choudhury, Nidhiram Das, Ratnamala Devi, Tapeswari Devi and many more were arrested and sent to jail.[16] Dineswar Sarma had to face six months R.I. u/s 188 Cr. P. C. on 13.4.1932. He was released on 31.8.1932.[17] In 1932, Patharighat Seva Dal camp under the Mangaldai District Congress Committee was established and actively worked to organize people.[18]

On 7 and 8 August 1942, the special session of the AICC held at Bombay adopted the historic ‘Quit India’ resolution. In Assam, the Quit India Movement began with Gandhian non-violence approach of protests like hartal, procession, demonstration, picketing and hoisting of the Congress flag on government buildings. As the forefront leaders were placed behind the bar, the district committee utilized Dineswar Sarma to mobilize the people. He along with a few other leaders prepared Santi Bahini, collected funds and coordinated with volunteers in the sub-division.[19] About Dineswar Sarma’s role in Quit India Movement, another freedom fighter Purnakanta Bhagawati mentioned that during this Movement Dineswar Sarma became a burning fire.[20] He had close relations with frontline state level leaders like Gopinath Bordoloi, Bishnu Ram Medhi, Mohendra Mohan Choudhuri among others.

In 1946, Jawaharlal Nehru visited Darrang district to support the Congress candidate Bipin Chandra Medhi from North Mangaldai Assembly Constituency in general election. Dineswar Sarma had played a leading role in organizing meetings for Jawaharlal Nehru. People used to talk it as meeting of two Pandits.[21]

The Cabinet Mission’s proposal to ‘group’ Assam with Bengal was strongly resented by him. He was upset with the stand of Indian National Congress’s central committee. He was convinced with Gandhi’s view that Assam would be finished if she fails to maintain her stand. 5^th June, 1946 was observed as ‘anti-grouping day’ and people organized meetings and processions in the district together with other parts of Assam. Lawyers, students, women and youths came out in support of APCC’s call for opposition to the Cabinet Mission’s grouping plan.[22]

On 16^th August, 1946, Muhammad Ali Jinnah called upon the Muslims to observe the ‘Direct Action Day’. In apprehension of large-scale communal clashes in both the valleys of Brahmaputra and Barak, Gopinath Bordoloi, the then Chief Minister of Assam, issued strict instructions to district and sub-divisional officers. For the same, local peace committees were formed. It was observed that the immigrant Muslims of Mangaldai sub-division were trying to prepare the ground for communal riots in different parts of the sub-division, particularly in Punia, Monitari, Rangamati, Bathan and even in Mangaldai town itself. Apprehending the threat, Dineswar Sarma along with Ratneswar Sarma and Paniram Das immediately met the then revenue Minister Bishnuram Medhi. At his intervention the sub-divisional officer came into action. On 25^th October, 1946 one public meeting was convened at Punia. People got convinced that they have to take preventive measures themselves for their own safety as well as to save the area from the affect of communal riots. At the initiatives of Dineswar Sarma, Ratneswar Sarma and Paniram Das Mangaldai Rakshya Committee and Mangaldai Rakshya Sibir were established to train-up volunteers in defense measures.[23] Among them ‘Barbari’ was the most famous camp and it trained up about five hundred ‘Santi Sena’.[24] Dineswar Sarma was the advisor of this Barbari camp, which was supervised by Paniram Das, Bhadrakanta Sarma and Dandiram Bora. The news of Barbari camp had been able to occupy editorial column of a local news paper.[25] Other camps were at Tokankat under Sitanath Barua, Mudaibari under Gathia Kalita and Nidhiram Saharia and Bamunjhar under Gopikanta Mahanta.[26] These camps produced a new enthusiasm among all community people ranging from Orang to Dumuni Chowki and Bhutan hills to Brahmaputra. All villages had organized village defense committees which were kept alert to come out in a single call from their leaders against any anti-national elements. Timely precaution of local leaders saved the district from an impending communal riot.[27]

Fight against Untouchability: In 1933, Gandhi started the Harijan Movement against untouchability. In 1934, during his visit to Assam, Gandhiji stayed for a moment at Tangla Rail station. Ganghiji’s visit for Harijan upliftment gave a new momentum to the constructive programme in the district. In Mangaldai sub-division, the movement was led by Dineswar Sarma and Mukta Nanda Goswami of Debanada Satra.[28] In 1934, he organized a meeting at Byaspara village against untouchability. The meeting was attended by Satradhikari Sri Sri Pitambar Dev Goswami from Garhmur Satra. At that time Sudras like Hari, Hira, etc. were regarded as untouchables in Assam. He along with Mukta Nanda Goswami broke the prevailing practice by taking water from their hands.[29] In marriage ceremonies too, the sudras like Koch bridegrooms were not allowed to offer yognyahuti and was performed by a priest on their behalf. Dineswar Sarma, after discussion with leading personalities, allowed the sudra bridegrooms to perform Yagnyahuti.[30] Likewise, he was the advisor of Assam Sankar Sangha and actively supported the sangha in their campaign against untouchability. He tried to introduce widow remarriage but was unable to gather support from the society.[31]

Literary and Cultural Activities: In 1934, the 15^th Assam Sahitya Sabha conference was held at Mangaldai. On the occasion of the conference, the President of the organizing committee bestowed upon him the duty to collect historical data of the district for the preparation of the Presidential Address. The collection resulted in the writing of the book Mangaldai Buranji by him. Till today, it is the one and only history book on Darrang district. His poetry book is Mukti-Mantra, a book of patriotic poems. To commemorate the peasant movement of 1894, he wrote his third book Patharughatar Ran. In 1950, he published one bi-weekly news paper Janamat from Mangaldai. His unpublished books were Nam-Mahatmya and Pholit Jyotish Tatwa.[32] He wrote a few dramas namely Sree Batsha Chinta, Beula and Ajamilar Swargarohan. For his literary and social works, Assam Sahitya Sabha had felicitated him in 1974. He was able to earn appreciation and love from the audience by his strong acting showcased through acts like Mingimaha Tilua in Chandra Kanta Singha, Ravan in Rakshakumar, Chando Sadagar in Beula play. It is to mention that many of his writings were destroyed by police while raiding his house.

Social Works: He established the Byaspara Branch of Assam Sahitya Sabha, which was later converted to Sipajhar Sahitya Sabha. He had also taken lead in the establishment of institutions such as Byaspara Sambhudev Sanskrit Tol, Byaspara Sevak High School, Patharighat M. E. & High School, Sipajhar High School, Sipajhar College[33] and many more. He had established one public library at Byaspara and a primary health centre at Patharighat. To save people from the havoc of flood, he emphasized on construction of embankments in the district and of tanks for drinking water. He became a mediator between the poor illiterate people of the region and the district administration for public grievances. For the establishment of Gauhati University in 1948, he had collected fund from public and thus helped the authority.[34] To commemorate the 1894 peasant movement, at his initiative the then Governor of Assam Joyram Das Daulat Ram had laid the foundation stone of peasant martyr tomb at Patharighat in 1952.[35] He was a renowned Astrologer and many famous personalities of that time approached him for his advice. During his days of financial hardship he tried to maintain his family through this profession. After independence, the state government provided land to freedom fighters. He preferred to take land at Dalgaon among the backward indigenous tribes and the Bengali and Muslim emigrants. There he worked for their development, particularly for the spread of education among them.[36] On 2^nd October, 1969 he had inaugurated the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at SDO office (present DC office) of Darrang district. He also formed the Darrang district Brahma Samaj and started the practice of performing yearly Yagnyahuti for the betterment of all. Renowned advocate, social worker and former Member of Parliament Md. Saifuddin Ahmed mentioned about him that his religion was service to humanity (Manab-Sewa) and work was service to the nation (Desh-Sewa).[37]

Self Respect: He possessed great self-respect too. When he was in Tezpur Jail, Zail Officer L. M Mehta had given him an order to give a written assurance of not participating in non-cooperation movement. He at once snatched the order and defaced under his feet. In another incident, Assistant School Inspector Mr. Kumudeswar Barthakur, while addressing him in an official letter, failed to give honourable designation before his name. He felt insulted by such an act of the officer and instantly resigned from the job. Yet again when Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President Maulana Taibullah visited the District Congress office at Mangaldai, Dineswar Sarma was the President. Because of the use of derogatory word by APCC President to him, he instantly resigned from the post.[38] 

Excellent Orator: Dineswar Sarma was an orator of utmost excellence with his commanding voice and power to trick with words. His speech had the power to set fire in the audience and at the same time to pacify them with his commanding personality. There were a lot of incidences which speak volume of his inspiring speeches that propelled people to action. His speeches were an attraction for most meetings and demonstrations. In 1932, he along with a few representatives from Mangaldai visited Nagaon district to attend Assam Pradesh Congress Committee Conference. The organizers did not intend to give space to the representatives from Mangaldai underestimating them. But under the pressure of a few leaders, Dineswar Sarma started his lecture. People got spellbound with his lecture and lauded in appreciation.[39] In 1958, Dineswar Sarma had attended the National Convention held at Barpeta. There he delivered a lecture on the topic of social structure. Observing people’s response to his speech, Central Minister Khandubhai Desai and Congress Executive Committee member Smt. India Gandhi had themselves approached him for introduction.[40] Likewise, just before the Chinese aggression, in a meeting, the President of the Indian National Congress Mr. Uchharangrai Navalshankar Dhebar referred to him as ‘Vishma Pitamaha’ of Mongaldai.[41]

He was honoured with ‘Copper Plate Citation’ on the occasion of 15, 1972 at New Delhi by Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India and in 1997 by the State Government of Assam for his meritorious service to the nation. But his family life was not stable. He had to spend a poverty-stricken life with all time financial crises due to his failure to provide justice to his family and household works. He had to suffer the untimely loss of two of his sons and two daughters in his life time. Because of that, his wife lost her mental balance. In spite of that he did not lose his spirit and determination to work for the nation and the needy one. Till his death in 1975, he worked accordingly and associated with different organizations. He was a source of inspiration for the people of Darrang district during his life time and even after death. The Government of Assam has named one PWD road as “Pandit Dineswar Sarma Path” from Sipajhar to Patharight, but the people are demanding something commendable to recognize his contributions.

1. Acharjya Rai, Basistha, age- 63, grandson of Dineswar Sarma, Mangaldai. 2. Devi, Devajani, age- 85+, wife of Surath Chandra Bordoloi, freedom fighter, Mangaldai. 3. Political History of Assam, APCC Papers 1937-41, File No. 143, Assam State Archives, Guwahati. 4. Report of the Enquiry Committee of Freedom Fighters, Govt. of Assam, 1979. 5. Barpujari, H. K. (1993), The Comprehensive History of Assam, Publication Board Assam. 6. Barua, Satyanath (ed.) (1974), Bharatar Mukti Sangramat Mangaldai, Mangaldai Jilla Mukti Jujaru Sanmilani, Mangaldai. 7. Bhagawati, Bijoy Chandra (ed.) (2005), Pandit Dineswar Sarma: Jiban Parikrama, Mangaldai. 8. Goswami, Priyam (2012), The History of Assam, Orient BlackSwan, New Delhi. 9. Prasad, L (1997), A Simple History of India, Lakshmi Narayan agarwal, Agra. 10. Sarma, Binoy Ranjan (ed.) (1994), Smaranika, souvenir on death centenary of Dineswar Sarma, Byaspara. 11. Sarma, Binoy Ranjan (ed.) (2013), Darrangiya Mukti Jujarur Jeevani Kosh, Mangaldai. 12. Sarma, Dineswar (1961), Mangaldai Buranji, Assam Prakashan Parishad. 13. Sen, Sanjay (2021), History of Modern Assam (1826-1947), Mahaveer Publications, Dibrugarh.

1. Sanjay Sen, History of Modern Assam (1826-1947), Mahaveer Publications, Dibrugarh, 2021, p. 190.
2. Banshidhar Sarma, “Prabad Purush Pandit Dineswar Sarma” in Bijoy Chandra Bhagawati (ed.), Pandit Dineswar Sarma: Jiban Parikrama, Mangaldai, 2005, p. 11.
3. L. Prasad, A Simple History of India, Lakshmi Narayan agarwal, Agra, 1997, p. 256.
4. H. K. Barpujari, The Comprehensive History of Assam, Publication Board Assam, 1993, p. 275.
5. Report of the Enquiry Committee of Freedom Fighters, Govt. of Assam, 1979, p. 623.
6. Binoy Ranjan Sarma (ed.), Darrangiya Mukti Jujarur Jeevani Kosh, Mangaldai, 2013, p.11.
7. He himself mentioned in a letter written to Home Ministry, Govt. of India referred in Bijoy Chandra Bhagawati (ed.), Pandit Dineswar Sarma: Jiban Parikrama, Mangaldai, 2005, p. 86.
8. Report of the Enquiry Committee of Freedom Fighters, op. cit., p. 623.
9. Bharat C. Nath, ‘Bagmipurush Dineswar Sarma’, in Smaranika, souvenir on death centenary of Dineswar Sarma, Byaspara, 1994, p. 17.
10. Banshidhar Sarma, op. cit., p. 12.
11. Narendra Deva Sastry, “Swadhinata Andulanar Pratham Karadandit Muktijuddha Pandit Dineswar Sarma”, in Bijoy Chandra Bhagawati (ed.), op. cit, p. 43.
12. Satyanath Barua (ed.), Bharatar Mukti Sangramat Mangaldai, Mangaldai Jilla Mukti Jujaru Sanmilani, Mangaldai, 1974, pp. 15-16; Banshidhar Sarma, op. cit., pp. 12-13.
13. Ibid., p. 14.
14. Ibid., p.11.
15. Ibid., p.23.
16. Ibid., pp. 28-29. Priyam Goswami, The History of Assam, Orient BlackSwan, New Delhi, 2012, p.258.
17. Report of the Enquiry Committee of Freedom Fighters, op. cit., p. 623; “Rajnoitik Nijyatitor Anumodit Talika”, Satyanath Barua(ed.), op. cit., p. 47.
18. Political History of Assam, APCC Papers 1937-41, File No. 143, Assam State Archives, Guwahati, p.13.
19. Dilip Kumar Saharia, “Bharatar Swadhinatar Mukti Sangramat Sipajharbashir Bhumika”, in Smaranika, op. cit., p. 30.
20. Purnakanta Bhagawati, “Jananeta Pandit Dineswar Sarma” in Bijoy Chandra Bhagawati (ed) op. cit., p. 30.
21. Gobinda Ram Deka, “Mor Dristit Supandit Dineswar Sarma” in Bijoy Chandra Bhagawati (ed) op. cit., p. 36.
22. Dilip Kumar Saharia, op. cit., p. 499.
23. Bijoy Candra Bhagawati, “Patharughatat Krisak Bidroh, Barbarit Krisak jagaran”, Smaranika, op. cit., p. 19.
24. Dineswar Sarma, Mangaldai Buranji, Assam Prakashan Parishad, 1961, p. 59; informed by Devajani Devi, age- 85+, wife of Surath Chandra Bordoloi, freedom fighter, Mangaldai.
25. Satyanath Barua, op. cit., p. 44.
26. Binoy Ranjan Sarma, op. cit., p.25.
27. Dineswar Sarma, op. cit., p. 59.
28. Binoy Ranjan Sarma (ed.), op. cit., p. 30.
29. Banshidhar Sarma, op. cit., p. 14.
30. Ibid., p. 15; Pani Ram Das, Pandit Dineswar Sarmar Bishoye Moi Jona Khini in Bijoy Chandra Bhagawati (ed.), op. cit., p. 3.
31. Informed by Basistha Acharjya Rai, grandson of Dineswar Sarma, age 63, in an interview on 05-02-2023 at 6.00 p.m.
32. Sashidhar Nath, “Sahitik Dineswar Sarma” in Smaranika, op. cit., p.6.
33. Basistha Acharjya Rai, op. cit.
34. Ibid.
35. Kanak C. Sarma, “Pandit Dineswar Sarma- Ekk asadharan Becti” in Smaranika, op. cit., p.2.
36. Banshidhar Sarma, op. cit., p. 23.
37. Purnakanta Bhagawati, op. cit., p. 33.
38. Banshidhar Sarma, op. cit., p. 24.
39. Bireswar sarma, “Sthitaprajna Pandit Dineswar Sarma”, in Bijoy Chandra Bhagawati(ed.), op. cit., pp. 63-64.
40. Ibid., p. 64.
41. Banshidhar Sarma, op. cit., p. 21.