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The legend of Dodan holds a significant importance in the oral tradition of the Rabhas of Assam. As part of Rabha oral history, it recounts the tribe’s journey through the plains of western lower Assam and their eventual settlement in present-day Goalpara, extending to the edges of the West Garo Hills. Many of the locations associated with Dodan’s journey as he led his people are familiar to other tribes in the region, particularly where conflicts arose and challenges were faced in protecting his people from raids and attacks. By linking place names to the coup de Dondan, the Rabhas assert their deep-rooted connections to the land they now call home in Assam. This paper examines the migration route that Dodan likely took to reach Goalpara, based on the historical place names mentioned in the legend. Additionally, it explores the anecdotes behind the new place names that emerged over time as storytellers remembered and freely adapted or improvised this legendary tale.
Chaitali Gorai. “Place Names in the Legend of Dodan: An Exploration of the Interconnectedness of Land and its Stories in the Rabha oral tradition.” The Criterion: An International Journal in English, vol. 17, no. 2, Apr. 2026, pp. 178–192. DOI, https://doi.org/10.66376/criterion.v17.n2.11.
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