The medical system of the Garos of Goalpara, Assam: A historical study from the pre-colonial to the colonial period

Medicine is a part of Human society from the very beginning until the present time. It makes the medical system by comprising various practices and treatment procedure to prevent and cure diseases. In India, medicine and the medical system was started from the ancient period popularly known as Ayurveda which was enriched by the Unani medicine developed during the medieval period with the advent of the sultans of Delhi. This again saw changes with the introduction of the British rule in Indian scenario. Assam as a part of the historical context of development in the medical system of India, also witnessed transformations in the culture and socio-political administration. The present study will try to draw a historical development in the field of medical practices in the Goalpara District of Assam, after being a Part of the British administration. It will give an understanding of the socio-cultural changes from the pre-colonial to colonial time that the Garo population went through due to the medical activities of the British in the hills.