Non Fiction
Based as they are on meticulous, investigative research and documentation of data, Arup Kumar Dutta’s astonishingly diverse array of non-fiction books for adults exhibit the true journalistic ethos. They also testify to his wide range of interests as also remarkable scholarship and erudition. Some of his books in this genre are:
The Brahmaputra
Publisher: National Book Trust
Year: 2001
This is a riveting account of one of the greatest river systems in the world, the awesome route its takes, and the mystery originally surrounding it till intrepid explorers unraveled the enigma. Apart from sketching a profile of the river, the book seeks to acquaint readers with the society which evolved on its banks, the heights of civilization attained and the contribution made by it to the pan-Indian mosaic. The Brahmaputra was formally released at 7 Race Course, New Delhi residence auditorium by the then Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee, and has proved to be a NBT bestseller.
‘The first image that the Brahmaputra evokes in the mind is its sheer vastness. Even when not in spate it looks more like an ocean. Its resemblance to a sea is the reason why, unlike most rivers, it has a masculine name, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee said here today. The Prime Minister, who was releasing Mr. Arup Kumar Dutta’s book, The Brahmaputra, said there are few sights in the country that he had found as magnificent as the look of the Brahmaputra, as one drove along the river-front in Guwahati….. The Prime Minister said that a new Ministry has been created for the development of Assam and the North-East and also started peace initiatives in the region….’ The Hindu, September 15, 2001.
Publisher: National Book Trust
Year: 2001
This is a riveting account of one of the greatest river systems in the world, the awesome route its takes, and the mystery originally surrounding it till intrepid explorers unraveled the enigma. Apart from sketching a profile of the river, the book seeks to acquaint readers with the society which evolved on its banks, the heights of civilization attained and the contribution made by it to the pan-Indian mosaic. The Brahmaputra was formally released at 7 Race Course, New Delhi residence auditorium by the then Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee, and has proved to be a NBT bestseller.
‘The first image that the Brahmaputra evokes in the mind is its sheer vastness. Even when not in spate it looks more like an ocean. Its resemblance to a sea is the reason why, unlike most rivers, it has a masculine name, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee said here today. The Prime Minister, who was releasing Mr. Arup Kumar Dutta’s book, The Brahmaputra, said there are few sights in the country that he had found as magnificent as the look of the Brahmaputra, as one drove along the river-front in Guwahati….. The Prime Minister said that a new Ministry has been created for the development of Assam and the North-East and also started peace initiatives in the region….’ The Hindu, September 15, 2001.
Unicornis: The Great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros
Publisher: Konark
Year: 1991
This book is a comprehensive account of the Indian rhino, its past history and present status, generic characteristics, temperament, behaviour and habits, as well as its position in the scheme of nature and man-induced threat to its very existence. Written after years of research, Unicornis has been acclaimed as one of its kind, since it is the only work available on this endangered species within Indian conditions. A source of information for zoologists and naturalists, the book is in the catalogue of renowned universities across the world. It was formally launched in New Delhi by the animal activist and then Union Minister for Environment, Smt. Maneka Gandhi.
‘They are ugly and they are tough. They might be beings out of a pre-release Hollywood movie poster. Yet, these animals are facing extinction, these one-horned rhinoceroses of India. And Arup Kumar Dutta may well serve as their official biographer….. Dutta is an environmentalist from Assam. In India, where environmentalists have made a Johnny-come-lately type of appearance, Arup Kumar Dutta has been in the forefront of the movement. In other words, he has been concerned with the subject before it became fashionable to do so. And even now that the Greens throughout the world and Maneka Gandhi in India have made environmentalism a ‘hip’ term, Dutta is making action speak louder than words…..’ --- Sunday Magazine, March 1991.
Publisher: Konark
Year: 1991
This book is a comprehensive account of the Indian rhino, its past history and present status, generic characteristics, temperament, behaviour and habits, as well as its position in the scheme of nature and man-induced threat to its very existence. Written after years of research, Unicornis has been acclaimed as one of its kind, since it is the only work available on this endangered species within Indian conditions. A source of information for zoologists and naturalists, the book is in the catalogue of renowned universities across the world. It was formally launched in New Delhi by the animal activist and then Union Minister for Environment, Smt. Maneka Gandhi.
‘They are ugly and they are tough. They might be beings out of a pre-release Hollywood movie poster. Yet, these animals are facing extinction, these one-horned rhinoceroses of India. And Arup Kumar Dutta may well serve as their official biographer….. Dutta is an environmentalist from Assam. In India, where environmentalists have made a Johnny-come-lately type of appearance, Arup Kumar Dutta has been in the forefront of the movement. In other words, he has been concerned with the subject before it became fashionable to do so. And even now that the Greens throughout the world and Maneka Gandhi in India have made environmentalism a ‘hip’ term, Dutta is making action speak louder than words…..’ --- Sunday Magazine, March 1991.
Cha Garam: The Tea Story
Publishers: Paloma Publications
Year: 1991
Revised and reprinted by Orchid Publications, 2013
A highly readable world history of Camellia sinensis, or tea, this book traces the genesis of this beverage among aboriginal tribes, its evolution in China and spread across the globe. Replete with rare photographs and sketches, the humorous style of the narration and a plethora of amusing anecdotes have ensured lasting popularity of this book as testified to by its good sale in India and abroad.
Publishers: Paloma Publications
Year: 1991
Revised and reprinted by Orchid Publications, 2013
A highly readable world history of Camellia sinensis, or tea, this book traces the genesis of this beverage among aboriginal tribes, its evolution in China and spread across the globe. Replete with rare photographs and sketches, the humorous style of the narration and a plethora of amusing anecdotes have ensured lasting popularity of this book as testified to by its good sale in India and abroad.
The Pipeline Saga
Publisher: Oil India Limited
Year: 2022
In the early 1960s the Burmah Oil Company (BOC), the progenitor of Oil India Limited (OIL), undertook the construction of a 1,158 kilometer (720 miles) long fully-automated crude oil transportation pipeline from Nahorkatiya in Upper Assam to Barauni in Bihar, in what at that period of time was the most challenging engineering project for newly independent India.Considering that the pipeline was laid six decades back with technology which prevailed during that period --- there were not even basic facilities such as computers and laptops not to mention the sophisticated communication gadgets available today --- the construction of the Nahorkatiya-Barauni pipeline had been an extraordinary feat of engineering.This book seeks to chronicle the titanic efforts that went into the construction of the pipeline, at that time the second longest in Asia, and the first to be fully automated. While doing so it also briefly recapitulates the circumstances leading to the birth of the Indian Petroleum Industry.
Gauhati High Court --- History and Heritage
Publisher: Gauhati High Court
Year: 2018
Gauhati High Court --- History and Heritage is a fascinating account of the rich and complex tapestry
that is the judicial history of North-East India, and the Gauhati High Court which lies at its core. This
High Court is a unique institution unparalleled by any other in the country. For the longer span of its
existence it had been the High Court for all the seven States of the North-East and the highest appellate
authority in a region that is geographically, ethnologically and culturally incredibly diverse. It has had the onerous yet enthralling task of interpreting not only enacted laws, but also existing tribal laws and
customs of the plethora of communities in this region.
Publisher: Gauhati High Court
Year: 2018
Gauhati High Court --- History and Heritage is a fascinating account of the rich and complex tapestry
that is the judicial history of North-East India, and the Gauhati High Court which lies at its core. This
High Court is a unique institution unparalleled by any other in the country. For the longer span of its
existence it had been the High Court for all the seven States of the North-East and the highest appellate
authority in a region that is geographically, ethnologically and culturally incredibly diverse. It has had the onerous yet enthralling task of interpreting not only enacted laws, but also existing tribal laws and
customs of the plethora of communities in this region.
Indian Railways: The Final Frontier
Publisher: NF Railways
Year: 2002
An amazingly well researched and beautifully produced book with a wealth of data, this work celebrates the romance associated with the development of railway communication in the Northeast. It covers the entire gamut of events commencing from 1882, when the Assam Railway and Trading Company laid the Dibru-Sadiya Railway Line, to the post-independence period. Commissioned by the Indian Railways to commemorate 150 years of its existence, the book contains numerous anecdotes and episodes making for gripping reading. It was formally released at Guwahati by then Union Minister for Railways, Shri Nitish Kumar.
Publisher: NF Railways
Year: 2002
An amazingly well researched and beautifully produced book with a wealth of data, this work celebrates the romance associated with the development of railway communication in the Northeast. It covers the entire gamut of events commencing from 1882, when the Assam Railway and Trading Company laid the Dibru-Sadiya Railway Line, to the post-independence period. Commissioned by the Indian Railways to commemorate 150 years of its existence, the book contains numerous anecdotes and episodes making for gripping reading. It was formally released at Guwahati by then Union Minister for Railways, Shri Nitish Kumar.
The Roving Minstrel
Publisher: Rupa Publications
Year: 2002
Part of Rupa’s Charitavali series, this is a biography of the greatest musician Assam has produced after Sankardev --- Bhupen Hazarika. Written with a lyrical flow reminiscent of the maestro’s own lyricism, this attractively designed book is embellished with a number of famous lyrics of Bhupen Hazarika translated from Assamese to English by Dutta himself.
Publisher: Rupa Publications
Year: 2002
Part of Rupa’s Charitavali series, this is a biography of the greatest musician Assam has produced after Sankardev --- Bhupen Hazarika. Written with a lyrical flow reminiscent of the maestro’s own lyricism, this attractively designed book is embellished with a number of famous lyrics of Bhupen Hazarika translated from Assamese to English by Dutta himself.
Hammer Blow
Publishers: Paloma Publications
Year: 1996
Commissioned by the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre, this book complements the earlier tea book as it depicts the course of the tea-trade and evolution of the tea-auction system since the beginning of the commercialization of the commodity in China as early as the 4th century B.C. The primary focus of the book, however, is the genesis and evolution of the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre, a story as fascinating as it is inspiring.
Publishers: Paloma Publications
Year: 1996
Commissioned by the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre, this book complements the earlier tea book as it depicts the course of the tea-trade and evolution of the tea-auction system since the beginning of the commercialization of the commodity in China as early as the 4th century B.C. The primary focus of the book, however, is the genesis and evolution of the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre, a story as fascinating as it is inspiring.
The Khongiya Barooahs of Thengal
Publisher: Dr. Bhupen Hazarika
Year: 1994
In mirroring the history of three generations of the well known Khongiya Barooah family of Assam, the author simultaneously traces the evolution of the Assamese middle class since the days of the Raj, while projecting the family as role models for Assamese entrepreneurs.
Publisher: Dr. Bhupen Hazarika
Year: 1994
In mirroring the history of three generations of the well known Khongiya Barooah family of Assam, the author simultaneously traces the evolution of the Assamese middle class since the days of the Raj, while projecting the family as role models for Assamese entrepreneurs.
Jyoti Prasad Prince of Beauty
Publisher: Anwesha
Year: 2003
An enthralling biography of the Assamese cultural icon, Jyoti Prasad Aggarwala, commissioned to commemorate his birth centenary. This book too contains some of the important lyrics and other writings of Jyoti translated from Assamese to English by Dutta himself.
Publisher: Anwesha
Year: 2003
An enthralling biography of the Assamese cultural icon, Jyoti Prasad Aggarwala, commissioned to commemorate his birth centenary. This book too contains some of the important lyrics and other writings of Jyoti translated from Assamese to English by Dutta himself.
A Living Heritage
Publisher: NF Railways
Year: 1999
A short history of the fascinating story of India's most famous hill railway system. This booklet was published by the Northeast Frontier Railways to commemorate the Heritage status conferred to the Darjeeling Himalayan Hill Railway in 1999 by UNESCO.
Publisher: NF Railways
Year: 1999
A short history of the fascinating story of India's most famous hill railway system. This booklet was published by the Northeast Frontier Railways to commemorate the Heritage status conferred to the Darjeeling Himalayan Hill Railway in 1999 by UNESCO.
Nature Quiz
Publisher: Konark
Year: 1991
A popular book which contains hundreds of questions on the diverse natural world. Divided into categories this pioneering book acquaints readers with the amazing as well as occasionally funny and quirky aspects of fauna and flora. Detailed answers enable them to test their knowledge of nature.
Publisher: Konark
Year: 1991
A popular book which contains hundreds of questions on the diverse natural world. Divided into categories this pioneering book acquaints readers with the amazing as well as occasionally funny and quirky aspects of fauna and flora. Detailed answers enable them to test their knowledge of nature.
Pothorughat
Year: 2010
This significant work is the only one in English about the uprising on January 28, 1894, against the government of imperial Britain by the peasants of Pothorughat in the Darrang district of Assam. Apart from projecting the uprising as the first known instance in India of non-violent and passive resistance to British rule much before Mahatma Gandhi entered the scene, the book attempts to make the rest of the nation aware of this forgotten episode in India’s freedom movement.
Year: 2010
This significant work is the only one in English about the uprising on January 28, 1894, against the government of imperial Britain by the peasants of Pothorughat in the Darrang district of Assam. Apart from projecting the uprising as the first known instance in India of non-violent and passive resistance to British rule much before Mahatma Gandhi entered the scene, the book attempts to make the rest of the nation aware of this forgotten episode in India’s freedom movement.
