James Joy Mohan Nichols Roy was born on 12 June 1884 at Mawsyiarwait, Shella confederacy, now in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, India.

[4] Despite serving under Muhammed Saadulah in these two ministries, Nichols Roy was opposed to the efforts by the Muslim League to make Assam part of Pakistan.

[8] Nichols Roy, leader of the Khasi people, was the most prominent member of the educated elite, pushing for autonomy of the hill districts of Assam at time of independence.

[9] Nichols Roy influenced Jawaharlal Nehru to create the Khasi Jaintia National Federation State Conference (KJFSC), a regional party in Meghalaya's Khasi-Jaintia hills, which aimed for autonomous government among tribal people throughout northeast India.

[9] Nichols Roy was elected as a Congress Party member for Assam in the Constituent Assembly, where he stood up for tribal rights and autonomy.

[10] Nichols Roy made important contributions to the Constituent Assembly, and was one of a handful of Hill Tribe leaders to become national figures.

[10] Nichols Roy and Gopinath Bordoloi asserted that the schedule would prevent alienation, promote development and protect tribal populations from exploitation.

Munshi proposed that the constitution should state, "Any conversion from one religion to another of any person brought about by fraud, coercion or undue influence or of a minor under the age of 18 shall not be recognised by law.

"[12] Speaking against this proposal, Nichols Roy said, When a boy feels that he is called by God to adopt a different faith, no law should prevent him from doing that.

[13] Nichols Roy was a member of the Bardoloi government of Assam after independence, but became alienated from the Congress party due to its dominance by middle class Assamese.