Kalicharan Brahma also known as Gurudev and Mech Gandhi was an Indian social reformer and nationalist. He is considered one of the most important figures in Bodo social issues, religion, economic, political, language, literature and culture. He advocated for social reform, education, and women’s empowerment within the Bodo community.
He was born on 18th April 1860 to the Bodo speaking family Khoularam Mech and Randini Mech. His village was in present-day Kajigami village located in Kokrajhar district (then Goalpara district).
Kalicharan early education started from his home. Birnarayaran Mech, known as Birnarayaran Sarkar was his tutor for several years. He then went and studied at Tipkai Primary School and then Puthimary MV School upto Class IV. His father was a timber merchant, and passed away when he was only at 12. He read up to class V.
At that time, there were no good rules or customary laws in the society of the Bodos. The Bodo caste system was very turbulent. The Boros were a very backward community in the state of Assam. They did not get education due to which they remained backward as a community in every field.
At that time, in the name of religious devotion, the Bodo people used to spend lavishly. They did not worship Dharma with proper rules, there was no discipline and proper clearance in worship. They worshipped night and day in the name of devotion, fighting with each other over food, drink, sacrifice, and alcohol.
He was always thinking about ways to change Boro society. At one point, he came across the sacred book of the Brahma Dhamra, the Sarnitya Kriya, and seeing guidance and inspiration in it, he thought about spreading Brahma Dharma among the Bodos.
In 1905, Kalicharan Brahma renounced his previous religion and embraced Brahma religion and preached in Assam. The Brahma dharma he preached was largely accepted by the Bodo people.
He was the first among the Bodos to bring about a new movement and change in society. It was through his efforts that the Bodos were able to embark on a new path and achieve progress. Seeing his strength, virtues and knowledge, people at that time called him ‘Gurudev‘.
In 1911, he granted people who had accepted Brahmoism the right to write “Brahma” after their names as surname.
Good etiquette in the community is essential for a happy life in the community. In leading a family, the leader or family owner must maintain discipline. He was well aware of the importance of education and finance for mutual love, mutual understanding and cooperation and continued progress. Therefore, he established schools in many villages, set up financial institutions, and gave techniques and ideas on how to do business in the market.
Due to his great love and affection for the Boro community, he urged the Boro children to be educated on how to develop the Boro community. Parents were urged to drop their children at school.
In 1919, with some educated students, he formed the ‘Boro Students’ Association ‘which is known as’ Borosatra Sanmilan ‘in Boro history. Prominent Boro leaders like Rupnath Brahma, Satish Chandra Basumatary, Sabaram Brahma and Madaram Brahma were its leaders. With the advice and encouragement of Gurudev, the leaders of this organization worked for the revival and promotion of the Boro language, literature and culture.
He looked like Mahatma Gandhi. In 1921, on receiving the news that Mahatma Gandhi had arrived in Assam, Kalicharan Brahma conducted an exhibition of Bodo’s handiwork at Rupsi. Kalicharan Brahma invited Mahatma Gandhi to visit and see the exhibition. Thus, knowing that Mahatma Gandhi will be arrived at the venue, thousands of people gathered and waiting for him. At the same time, Kalicharan Brahma arrived and the people welcomed him as Mahatma Gandhi. When Kalicharan Brahma introduced himself as Kalicharan Brahma, not Mahatma Gandhi, he acknowledged him as ‘Mech Gandhi ‘.
Gurudev was also well-versed and skilled in politics. He was able to act with a sense of urgency about the future survival of the Boros. He went to Shillong, then the capital of Assam, in 1929 to submit a memorandum to the Simon Commission for the political rights of the Boros. Because of this, to this day, the Boros remain a significant and privileged community in India. It was with Gurudev’s advice and encouragement that Rupnath Brahma became the first minister of Assam among the Bodos.
Since 2009, the Government of Assam has been conferring the National Award in the name of Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma biennially. The first recipient of the award was eminent linguist Dr. Pramod Chandra Bhattacharjee.
Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma Award in his name by Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma Trust since 2018. The award was first presented to Jogeswar Brahma, a propagator of Brahma religion, on the occasion of the 159th birth anniversary of Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma, held on 18th April 2018 at Bodoland University.
Brahma worked to preserve and promote Bodo culture, language, and traditions. His works continue to inspire new generations of Bodo writers, poets, politician, and cultural enthusiasts.
He played a significant role in shaping the modern Bodo identity and promoting social change.
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