Travel Literature of Prafulladatta Goswami: An Analytical Study

Travel literature is an inevitable genre of
world literature. In Assamese literature too, travel
literature enjoys a pivotal role. In 15th century, Saint
Shrimanta Sankardeva travelled twice and recorded in
Assamese Sarita Puthi (book of Sarita) of 17th century.
Tripura Buranji (History of Tripura) written in 18th
century is primarily a travelogue. But, those works can’t
be attributed with the term of travel literature in true
sense. Towards the end of 19th century, a few literary
articles on travel experience were published. These
articles contribute a little to the development of
Assamese Travel literature. In true sense, Assamese
travel literature gained importance after the
Independence of India and slowly but gradually it
enlarges its volume. Hem Baruah makes Assamese
Travel literature more prolific and flamboyant with his
creative genius. Later on, writers like Birinchi Kumar
Baruah, Prafulladatta Goswami, Soyod Abdul Malik,
Birendra Kumar Bhattacharjjyya, Hemanga Bisawas,
Nabakanta Baruah, Dr. Nagen Saikia, Dr.
Lakshminandan Borah, Gautam Prasad Baruah enrich
Assamese travel literature with their contributions.
During the 20th century, Prafulladatta Goswami plays a
pivotal role to give shape of Assamese travel literature
from modern perspective. This Research Paper tries to
shed light on the contributions of Prafulladatta Goswami
towards Assamese travel literature.