Md Talha Amin, who writes under the pen name Muhammad Talha Amin Baruah, is a young, award-winning Assamese Muslim historian, theologist, and author from Assam. Born on 23 September 2006 in Faujdaripatty, Nagaon, (the same place where another great Assamese historian S.K Bhuyan was born). Talha grew up appreciating his unique blend of Ahom and Muslim heritage—honored by his use of “Baruah,” the title of his Ahom letter-reader ancestors, in his pen name.
Talha has always been fascinated by the stories of both everyday people and the unsung heroes of history. He writes about hidden aspects of Assam’s and India’s multicultural past, believing every community and voice deserves recognition. His writing journey began not for fame, but to bring forgotten stories into the light.
Along with historical research, Talha is deeply engaged in theological studies and regularly publishes articles on theology, particularly around Islamic history and interfaith understanding. Proudly a Hanafi in jurisprudence (fiqh), he contributes to discussions that highlight pluralism and tolerance within Islamic tradition.
Talha’s groundbreaking first book, ‘The Shamli Uprising: Unsung Indian Freedom Fighters’ (2024), brought the stories of lesser-known revolutionaries front and center, while his second, ‘Conquest of Sindh: Biography of Amir Imaduddin Muhammad bin Qasim (d.715)’ (2025), explored Muslim pluralism through the life of the Sindh conqueror. Both works received wide acclaim for their fresh perspective and careful research. His dedication was recognised nationally with the prestigious Rabindranath Tagore Samman in 2025 for his writings as a historian—a proud milestone in his career.
Talha also frequently collaborates on anthologies with writers from different backgrounds, believing that many voices make for a fuller history. He’s a staunch supporter of secularism, harmony, and Hindu-Muslim unity, focusing much of his work on Assamese Muslim achievements and their valuable place in Assam’s heritage.
His widely discussed article in the Assamese weekly Saptahik Mujahid presented new evidence for the historical presence of Ahom Muslims, sparking fresh dialogue about Assam’s syncretic culture. His articles also regularly appear in Assamese, Kashmiri, and Meghalayan outlets.
Well respected, Talha remains passionate about making history and theology relevant for all. With every book, article, and community moment, Muhammad Talha Amin Baruah—proud Assamese Muslim, historian, theologist, and Hanafi—works to ensure every voice, hero, and tradition has its place in Assam’s and India’s shared story.
