Swarnalata Barua, the only daughter of Raibahadur Gunabhiram Barua, the reputed writer and historian of the Arunodoi era, was born in February, 1871. Her mother was Bishnupriya Devi, a nice woman with sweet words. She was brought up under the umbrella of love of her parents in an atmosphere conducive to learning. Born in the seventh decade of 19^th century and nourished by the thinking of both oriental and occidental, she was also influenced by the ideas of renaissance.

In 1894 Bethune School was established in Calcutta. Iswar Chandra Bidyasagar was the secretary of this school for several years. The daughters of many reputed persons were admitted to this School. Many women could enlighten themselves with modern education due to the untiring effort of some liberal minded men who worked hard for the noble cause of women education.

The period of Swarnalata�s student life was a period of transition in the history of India. There was a revolutionary change in Bengal in socio-political, cultural and education sphere. Anandaram Dhekial Phukan and his successor Gunabhiram Barua awakened the mind of Assamese people by highlighting the changes of the contemporary world that happened due to the influence of western education. These men of rare merits in their short span life worked for the noble cause of developing the language and literature of the country. They also tried to make the society up to date making it free from superstition. Padmawati Devi Phukanani and Swarnalata Barua witnessed the noble deed of these two great souls and the sacred blood of these patriots passed through vein of their daughters.

Swarnalata was brought up in the close association of the parents who were liberal minded, well wishers and free from prejudice. Gunabhiram supported the widow remarriage not only in precept,but by example. He had full support to the measures taken by Bidyasagar for initiation of social reform through women liberation and widow remarriage. Being the witness of two cases of widow remarriage, Gunabhiram wrote in �Aronodoi� January, 1857 �Oh God, when will we have the lack of witnessing this type of happy incident.� He could feel deeply the life long suffering of a widow and wrote an article in �Arunodoi� with the title �Bidhaba Bibah�. He wrote that the men failed to realize the suffering of a widow. He was shocked to see the affliction of a widow in Assam. As a part of his reformative measure, he himself had his second marriage with Bishnupriya, the widow of Parasuram Barua after the death of his first wife Brajasundari Devi, the sister-in-low of Anandaram Dhekial Phukon. It is worth mentioning that this was the first register marriage in Assam.

Gunabhiram, as an ideal father is hardly comparable to anyone. In his address to the parents advising them not to make any discrimination between boys and girls, he wrote that parents cannot repay the debts of their children simply by providing them with food and cloth, but they must be given proper education. The girl should also be brought up with care and should be gifted along with property to learned, good natured bridegroom. (Arunodoi, July 1853). Gunabhiram was very much conscious of his only daughter�s education. Jnandabhiram, his youngest son wrote in his autobiography,� MOR Katha� about his father�s anxiety of Swarnalata�s education. At that time there was not a standard girls� school in Nowgaon. My sister, Swarnalata was made to receive education from an Assamese teacher at home. After this she was admitted to Bethune school of Calcutta in 1880. I am surprised to see the courage of my parents. It is not a matter of joke to keep a nine years old girl in such distance place like Calcutta. But the teachers, as well as the friends, showed affection to my sister. She was the first Assamese girl there�. Miss Lips Combey or Miss Mitre wrote a letter �I am feeling so sorry to leave Swarna that I give the name Swarna to my calf.� At that time the system of communication between Assam and Calcutta was very bad. It took nearly ten days to reach Calcutta.

In spite of lots of inconveniences, Swarnalata started her education in Calcutta and she was there for near about seven years from 1880 to 1886/1887. At that time her father Gunabhiram was E.A.C of Nowgaon. Bishnupriya, the mother of Swarnalata sometimes used to stay for some months in Calcutta with her daughter. Jnanadabhiram wrote in his autobiography about his stay in 65 Maniktola Street, Calcutta, with his mother for the education of Swarnalata.

Swarnalata�s childhood and adolescence passed in an atmosphere which was full of high thinking. Gunabhiram was the centre of attraction for the Assamese residing in Calcutta. Sahityarathi Laksmi Nath Bezbaroa mentioned the attitude of the intelligentsia of Calcutta and the Assamese people staying there towards Gunabhiram in his autobiography �Mor Jivan Soaran�. There was a frequent assemblage of the man of reputation including scientists, lecturers and doctors etc. Gunabhiram had his association with Tagore family which was the centre of literature, fine art, and culture of Bengal. Babu Durga Mohan Das, the advocate of the high court, Dr Bipin Bihari Sarkar, Ananda Mohan Basu, barrister and first wrangler of India, Dr Mohini Mohan Basu who later on came to be known as Sir Jagadish Basu, Dr Kadambini Ganguli, Principal Umesh Chandra dutta , Brahmananda Keshab Chandra Sen etc. Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose was very intimate to their family. Dr Kadambini Ganguli was very close to Barua family. She was gifted with a pair of silk �mekhela Chadar� (two pieces of dress worn by Assamese woman) by Gunabhiram Barua just before she had gone to the exhibition of Chicago with the following words � I have given you a pair of dress worn by Assamese woman. Wearing this, you can show there what type of dress is worn by Assamese women�. It can be well understood that Swarnalata was developed intellectually at the close association of such a pleasant company.

Due to the selfless dedication of their forefathers to the development of Assamese language Kuranabhiram, Jnanabhiram, Swarnalata and Padmawati became patrons of literature. It is for the inspiration of Gunabhiram that Padmawati Devi, his niece wrote �Hitshadhika� and Bishnupriya Devi wrote �Niti Katha�. His daughter was also inspired to write �Arhi Tiruta� and his son Karunabhiram edited a news paper named �Larabandhu�.

The date of composition of �Arhi Tiruta� was probably within 1886-1894. She wrote article in Assamese periodical �Assam Bandhu� edited by Gunabhiram. Twelve issues of �Assam Bandhu� (1885-1887) were published. Swarnalata started writing probably from the time of her staying at Bethune school. Later on she used to write in �Bijuli� also. That she wrote in �Bijuli� was known from a letter of Jnanadabhiram Barua to Jitendra Bujarbarua.

Swarnalata was married to Dr Nanda Kumar Rai (M.B.B.S from Ebinburgh). It is known from the writings of Jnanadabhiram Barua that Swarnalata�s marriage was arranged with Kabi Guru Rabindranath Tagore, but his father Maharshi Debendranath Thakur made objection to this marriage when he heard of the widow marriage performed by Gunabhiram Barua. After three years of their conjugal life Dr Nanda Kumar Rai had premature death on 31^st March, 1890 leaving two daughters and his wife. That was the day of retirement of her father Gunabhiram Barua and the sad demise of his son-in-low was a bolt from a blue for him. Barua family was seriously disappointed by a series of disturbance after this unexpected accident. Gunabhiram came to Calcutta and settled there permanently. Swarnalata also came back to her father�s house taking the daughters with her. In the affectionate shelter of her father she started to engage herself with literature, but destiny forebode her to do so. Her mother Bishnupriya Devi died on 26^th March 1892 and after one year her elder brother Karunabhiram also left this world. In the subsequent year i.e. in 1894, her father, the only centre of shelter and solace, left her leaving her in great remorse and disappointment. At that time Swarnalata was only twenty three years old. She had to shoulder the responsibility of her daughters and her brothers Kamala and Jnan. Bezbarua mentioned the names of the fathers that took care of Gunabhiram�s children among whom, the family of Durga Mohan Das, Rajani Nath Rai and Basu were worth mentioning. Even Bezbarua himself took care of Gunabhiram�s children and grandchildren. After the death of her faher, Swarnalata was taken along with her brothers by her elder brother �in-low Rajani Nath Rai to his residence known as �Retreat�. After observance of the rights and rituals, Swarnalata along with her children was put in �Brahma Girls� school following the advice of the well wishers. Kamala and Jnan were sent to �Brahma Boarding School�. Destiny was still against Barua�s family and it was proved by the death of Kamala on 30^th November, 1994. All the well wishers were very much worried of the future of Jnanadabhiram and Swarnalata. They sent Jnandabhiram to England and necessary arrangements were made for Swarnalata�s second marriage with Khirod Chandra Rai Choudhury which was solemonised on 14^th February, 1889. Khirod Chandra Rai was the principal of Hugli College. Later on he settled in Cuttack. He also engaged himself in the study of literature. In 1831 Saka, he published the monthly literary journal named �Mrinmoye�. But no trace of creative work done by Swarnalata was found after her marriage. Probably it was due to the untimely burden she had to shoulder due to the death of her father and husband. Besides, her creativity shrunk in absence of her parents who acted as catalysts in her creative power. Her complete energy was exhausted in the upbringing of her brother Jnandabhiram Barua and her own two daughters.

Swarnalata�s married life with Khirod Chandra Rai was a happy one. Bezbarua, along with his wife, received hospitability in Swarnalata�s residence in Cuttak. Bezbarua mentioned the loving reception of Swarnalata to Bezbarua family in his autobiography. One of the daughters of Swarnalata died early and the other one had her establishment in her life and she was Mrs. P.C. Rai of Cotton College.

Swarnalata left his earthly abode in 1932. She must be kept alive in the literary history of Assam for contribution she had made by writing a book like �Arhi Tirota� and also by writing article in �Assam Bandhu�. Unfortunately, nothing remains o the book. Had it been preserved in the state library of Assam, the theme and structure of �Arhi Tirota� could be known. Still as a worshipper of Assamese language Swarnalata Barua will remain as a source inspiration for the women writer of the later part of the twentieth century as well as the early decade of the 21^st century. We offer our tribute to this sacred soul.