Several studies prove that the process of migration and the aspects relevant to it have turned more intense and complicated with the dawn of globalization. This process dates back to centuries past when humans migrated from one place to another for factors such as food, clothing, shelter ，and climate and natural disasters. In this thesis I have made a study about the cross-cultural identity of the Nepalis in Assam, a north-eastern state of India. Here, my research focuses on the process of formation of a cross-cultural identity, based on comments and experiences of a group of migrants residing in Assam. In the following chapters I will answer about the Nepali migrants residing in Assam, the cultural identity of the Nepalis in Assam, the reasons for having or not having a cross-cultural identity and many more. This research will show that although majority of the Nepalis have adapted to the formation of a cross-cultural identity, this formation is directly or indirectly forced and influenced by factors like economic, political, social and psychological behind formation of a cross-cultural identity. Lastly, I will also reveal the consequences in both positive and negative forms attached with this identity formation.

相較於過去數世紀人們以尋求衣、食、住所為目的而進行遷移，全球化背景下的移民現象更加普遍，問題也更加複雜，與此相關的學術作品已有相當豐碩的成果。在既有的研究基礎上，本研究針對印度東北部阿薩姆邦尼泊爾移民的生命經驗進行深度訪談，探討其跨文化認同的形構過程，回答他們是否具跨文化認同，其可能原因是什麼。本研究將呈現，儘管多數尼泊爾移民已形成跨文化認同，有幾項因素直接或間接作用於跨文化認同形構過程中，分別是：經濟、政治、社會、邊緣化、社會不平等、心理壓力、孤單，這個過程伴隨著正面或負面的結果。

English Abstract …………………………………………………………. i
Chinese Abstract ………………………………………………………..... ii
Acknowledgement …………………………………………………………. iii
Table of Contents …………………………………………………………. iv
List of Figures …………………………………………………………. iv
List of Tables …………………………………………………………. iv

Chapter 1: Introduction……………………………………………………............................1
1.1 Research Background………………………………………………………………………....1
1.2 Motivation and Objectives………………………………………………………………….....7
1.3 Literature Review…………………………………………………………………….............14
1.4 Research Methodology and Thesis Organization………………………………………......18

Chapter 2: The Development of Migration from Nepal to Assam……………..30
2.1 Migration from Nepal to Assam during the Colonial Rule in India……………………...30
2.2 The Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950…………………………………………….....36
2.3 Nepali Migration to Assam in the Post-1950s…………………………………………........40
2.4 Life of the Nepali Migrants in Assam…………………………………………….................44
Chapter 3: The Cross-cultural Identity of the Nepali Migrants in Assam……..51
3.1 Characteristics of a Cross-Cultural Identity Formation……………………………….....51
3.2 The Types of Cultural Identities prevalent in Assam…………………………………..…55
3.3 Difference between the Nepali and Assamese Cultural Identity……………………….....59
3.4 The Nepali-Assamese Cross-Cultural Identity and Its Features………………………….66


Chapter 4: Reasons behind the Formation of a Cross-Cultural Identity ……...81
4.1 Economic Factors…………………………………………………………………………...82
4.2 Political Factors……………………………………………………………………………..87
4.3 Social Factors………………………………………………………………………………..88
4.4 Psychological Factors…………………………………………………………………….....92

Chapter 5: The Process of Formation of a Cross-cultural Identity in Assam...98
5.1 Acceptance and Denial for a Cross-cultural Identity…………………………………...102
5.2 Forced or Intentional?.........................................................................................................105
5.3 Cross-cultural Identity Adaptation and Change…………………………………….….109
5.4 Consequences of a Cross-cultural Formation…………………………………..….........110

Chapter 6: Conclusion…………………………………………………………….............117
Bibliography………………………………………………………………………………....125

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Conference Papers
Bonnerjee, Jayani. “Beyond Chinatowns: Neighborhood, Space, Identity for the Calcutta Chinese’, paper presented at Institute of Chinese Studies in Delhi, 25 September, 2013.

Dustdar-Sinclair, Tina. 2002. “Sons for the Return Home: A Human Capabilities Approach to Migration”, Paper of 3rd Biennial Conference of the International Development Studies Network of Aotearoa New Zealand, Massey University (5-7 December).
Social Exclusion and Maoist Insurgency”, 2005, Paper presented at National Dialogue conference on ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples,organised by NEFIN and ILO, Kathmandu, 19-20 January
Newspapers
Devi, Monimala. 2007. ‘Economic History of Nepali Migration and Settlement in Assam’, Economic and Political Weekly, Vol. XLII No. 29, July 21.

Deka, Kaushik. 2013. “Census Report indicates illegal immigration in Assam’ India today (24, May 2013) at http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/census-report-indicates-illegal-immigration-in-assam/1/272913.html, accessed on16 March.
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