Shaping Ahom and Goriya history – Muhammad Talha Amin Baruah
Md Talha Amin, who writes under the pen name Muhammad Talha Amin Baruah, is a young and passionate historian from Assam. Born on 23 September 2006 in Faujdaripatty, Nagaon, he is an Assamese Muslim who proudly carries both his cultural and spiritual heritage. From a young age, Talha was fascinated by comics book stories—especially those of Amar Chitra katha’s braveheart series and Frew’s Phantom comics. This love for comics increased his interest in history telling which led him to uncover and share pieces of history that many have forgotten.
The title “Baruah” in his pen name has special meaning. Talha shows respect for his roots and connects his identity to Assam’s unique history. It honors his Ahom ancestors, who once served as Baruahs—official royal letter readers in the Ahom court. His works often celebrate this mix of cultures, focusing on unity and shared heritage.
Talha began writing to share stories that don’t always appear in school books or public records. His first book, ‘The Shamli Uprising: Unsung Indian Freedom Fighters’ (2024), brings light to the lesser-known heroes of the 1857 revolt in Shamli. These brave men and women may not be widely remembered, but they played important roles in India’s first struggle for independence. The book was published internationally, allowing readers far from India to learn about these forgotten patriots.
In 2025, Talha released his second book titled ‘Conquest of Sindh: Biography of Amir Imaduddin Muhammad bin Qasim (d. 715)’. This book explores the life of the young general Muhammad bin Qasim, showing not just his military actions but also his humane side. Talha highlights how Muhammad bin Qasim treated Hindus and Buddhists with fairness, allowing coexistence in the region. Some readers believe Talha is a bit defensive of the general, but his intention is to give readers a different and more balanced view.
Apart from writing books, Talha has contributed to various historical anthologies. These collections, written with othera authors, bring together stories from different times and places.
A special area of Talha’s interest is the history of Assamese Muslims. He is proud of their contributions, culture, and resilience through the ages. As an Assamese Muslim himself, Talha understands the importance of telling these histories in an honest and respectful way. He strongly believes in secularism and works to promote peace and harmony between Hindus and Muslims in Assam and beyond.One of his most important articles about Assamese Muslim history was published in the Assamese weekly called Saptahik Mujahid. In that article, Talha provided historical evidence proving the existence of “Ahom Muslims”—a lesser-known but important part of Assam’s cultural history. With careful research and a passion for accuracy, Talha showed that Assam’s past was diverse, inclusive, and more layered than often understood.His first historical article was published on 6 March 2025 in the Assamese newspaper Dainik Ganadhikar. Since then, he has written in many Assamese newspapers, news websites, and also in publications based in Kashmir and Meghalaya. His writing helps readers from different states connect with histories that matter—histories that build understanding between communities.
Talha doesn’t just stick to regional topics. He also writes about Muslim history across India and the world. He enjoys exploring both the shared values and the unique stories within Muslim communities, helping readers see how diverse but connected these histories are.
His upcoming book, ‘Chandrakanta Singha: The Enigmatic Ahom King’, will focus on one of Assam’s most interesting kings of Assam. Talha aims to tell this story in simple and clear language so that readers of all ages can understand and enjoy it. His goal is to make history friendly and inviting—not just for scholars but for everyone.
Even though he is still a teenager, Talha is already getting attention for making history come alive. His writing style is easy to follow, and his message is always clear: No matter how much people try to change history for their own interest, their truth cannot be hidden. For Talha, writing is not just about books or fame. It’s about building bridges between communities, celebrating diversity, and keeping cultural memories alive. He dreams of a future where every young person takes pride in their roots and every community’s history is treated with respect. With every article and book, Md Talha Amin works to expand our understanding of history—showing us that the stories of the past can inspire a better and more united future.