This study examines the impact of British colonial influence on the Khasi community of north-eastern India, focusing on the changes and challenges experienced in their language, religion, and educational systems. It also investigates how the Khasi people navigated the forces of colonialism, utilising cultural adaptation and resistance strategies to preserve their identity. The study analyses the imposition of English as a language of governance and education, the efforts to convert the Khasis to Christianity, and the integration of Western educational systems, which disrupted traditional practices. Key findings highlight the Khasis’ resilience, exemplified in their linguistic preservation efforts, religious syncretism, and the evolution of an educational system that blends indigenous knowledge with Western pedagogy. Further, it identifies gaps in the current literature and suggests that further research is needed to explore the long-term impacts of these adaptations on Khasi identity. Furthermore, it emphasises the importance of understanding the intersection of colonial history and indigenous resilience in shaping the contemporary Khasi community.
International Journal of History
