RESUMO
The onset of menarche of 571 Assamese girls was investigated and the study sample included individuals from the population of various Assamese castes (brahmin, kalita, kaibarta), the Muslims and from the 2 Mongoloid populations, ie, the ahoms and the sonowals of Assam. Attempt was made to ascertain inter-group differences among themselves. The study revealed that there was insignificant statistical variation among the populations under consideration. Finally, the present findings were compared to that of the mean menarcheal age obtained on the same population by the earlier researchers which revealed good deal of variation among them. Secular trend in the age at menarche among these populations are discussed. Evidence of steady fall of menarcheal age in several populations has been noted in the present study.