Like the literature of any other language in India, Assamese literature, too, went through a number of phases before arriving at the current status. This is almost a universal trend. All the factors that have affected literature in the rest of the world, and more specifically in India, are also quite visibly apparent when analyzing Assamese literature. In addition, there are certain local factors as well, which are more specific to the region. The trends of modernity in Assamese literature had started appearing in the second half of the 19th century, a major impetus being the spread of the English language and western education, which helped in the spread of European ideas. It did take its own time to percolate down the line. A very important event giving a boost to the literature in the vernacular language was the fact that Assamese got reinstated in 1873 as the State language, a status that the British had given to Bengali in 1836, after the State was occupied in 1826.

The activities of the Christian missionaries and the publication of the Bible in Assamese prose by the American Baptist missionaries in 1819, also helped a lot in solidifying its base. The publication of the Assamese journal Jonaki in 1889, which introduced the short story form, helped Assamese literature grow in leaps and bounds. Beginning with Hem Chandra Barua, the modern trend was raised to further heights by the trio of Chandra Kumar Agarwala, Lakshminath Bezbarua and Hemachandra Goswami. But, like all other languages, here also the situation remained in a flux. There was always a profusion of newer forms, styles and ideologies and men like Raghunath Chaudhari and Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya (the Jnanpeeth award winner for Mrityunjay in 1976), continued forging newer grounds and initiating modern trends with their path-breaking contents and illuminating visions. Then, there are people like poet-novelist Navakanta Barua, Sahitycharyya Atul Chandra Hazarika, historian Nakul Chandra Bhuyan, writer-filmmaker Dr Bhabendranath Saikia and Hem Baruah, who was also a prominent political figure.

The trend is still very much visible and today, we have before us a literature which stands second to no other language, whether in form or in content or in the inherent nuances and range of ideas. Those still active in the Assamese literary realm include the veteran Homen Borgohain, who, in addition to being a writer, poet and critic, is also a columnist and editor. Winner of the Sahitya Akademi award in 1978 for his novel Pita Putra, Homen Borgohain is equally liked by the critics and the masses. He can be called a modernist writer in the true sense of the term. An atheist, whose thoughts verge to the extent of existentialism, he believes that the necessity of the spiritual urge of the human heart can never be fulfilled because of its inherent limitations.

One thing on which everyone is unanimous today is that the most prominent and well known of the Assamese litterateurs outside Assam is Indira Goswami, more commonly known as Mamoni Raisom Goswami in Assam. In the arena of modern Indian literature, she is one of the most powerful voices and one of the very few who has attempted to use the literary tool as a means for social change and political effects. This Jnanpeeth award winner has written such marvellous short stories like Hridoy, Nangoth Sohor and  Borofor Rani and classic novels like Tej Aru Dhulire Dhusarita Pristha (The Pages Stained With Blood) about the plight of Sikhs in the Anti-Sikh riots of 1984 in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi’s assassination and Datal Hatir Une Khowa Howda (The Moth Eaten Howdah of a Tusker) about the plight of Assamese Brahmin widows, later made into the Assamese film Adajya. No less important is her controversial and highly discussed Adhalikha Dastabej (An Unfinished Autobiography), where she has portrayed her ‘real-life struggle’ as a young widow.

Hiren Bhattacharya is one of the most well known Assamese poets, with collections like Soogandhi Pakhilaa, Soishar Pathaar Maanuh, Mor Desh Mor Premar Kabitaa. Another significant name in Assamese poetry is Ajit Barua, who has several collections of poems, including Kichumaan Padya Aaru Gaan and Brahmaputra Etyaadi Padya, to his credit. His width of knowledge and command of world literature can easily be gauged from the fact that he has also translated Albert Camus’ world-famous play Les Justes, and the novel The Plague from French into Assamese.

An important prose writer today is Mahim Bora, who is a novelist, short story writer and also a poet. He has won the Sahitya Akademi award for Kaathonibaari Ghaat, a short story collection.

Three factors which have contributed to Assamese literature and must be openly acknowledged are the Sahitya Akademi award, the Asam Sahitya Sabha and the Assam Valley Literary award. The Sahitya Akademi awards, given at the national level in all the major Indian languages, have played a huge role in shaping and encouraging Assamese literature in its own way. Most of the illustrious and deserving writers have been bestowed with this award from time to time. It began with Jatindra Nath Duowrah, who got it for his book of poetry in 1955. Other important names include Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya (Iaruingom - novel), Atul Hazarika (Manchalekha), Syed Abdul Malik (Aghari Atmar Kahini - novel), Navakanta Barua (Kakadeutar Har - novel), Dr Bhabendranath Saikia (Srinkhal - short story collection), Homen Borgohain (Pita Putra - novel), Jogesh Das (Prithibir Akukh - short story collection), Indira Goswami (Mamore Dhara Tarual - novel), Hiren Gohain (Assamiya Jatiyo Jeebonot Mahapurukhia Parampora – criticism), Hiren Bhattacharya (Saisor Pothar Manuh – poem collection) and Arun Sharma (Ashirbador Rong - novel). This year, it has been awarded to Rita Choudhury, who got it for her novel Deu Langkhui, set against the backdrop of Tiwa oral history.

The contribution of the Asam Sahitya Sabha, founded in 1917 to promote Assamese literature and presently having about 1,000 branches all over the State and outside, can never be underestimated. It has been a rendezvous of the great literary minds. It has believed in leading from the front and not to function as a mere spectator of the events. The results of these proactive efforts have been there for everyone to see.

The annual Assam Valley Literary Award, also known as the Magor Award, was instituted by the Williamson Magor Group, a tea company in 1991. While some of its initial awardees include stalwarts like Dr Bhabendranath Saikia, Homen Borgohain and Navakanta Barua, it continues to award the great talents like Chandra Prasad Saikia, Dr Lakshminandan Bora, Arun Sharma, Nalinidhar Bhattacharya and Dr Nagen Saikia. Thus, the narrow stream that had begun in the early 19th century has now grown into a mighty river of ideas, emotions, thoughts, expressions and experimentations.

Amitabh Thakur