Resistance of Ahom nobility

 UNDERGROUND RESISTANCE MOVEMENT IN ASSAM FROM 1921 TO 1947: Resistance of Ahom nobility 

In the beginning, the Assamese common people welcomed the British for they brought peace to their country. But the Ahom royal families and the nobles perceived the real intention of the British. Therefore, within two years of the British foothold in Assam, the first rebellion broke out[1]to resist the British and liberate their motherland from serfdom and restore the past glory of Assam. In order to safeguard the dignity of this motherland,  GomadharKonwar and DhanjoyPealiBorgohain of the royal clan set ablaze the fire of revolution in upper Assam in 1828, against the foreign rule. Simultaneously, the Chieftain of the various tribes of Khasi Hills also started preparation under the leadership of Tirot Sing, the Siem of Nongkholow. The anti- British feelings of the Khamties, Singphos, too reached the peak. “The Bhutias in the North were committing aggressions on the British subjects[2].  Gomadhar a scion of the Ahom royal family was formally enthroned “ at Bassa, in the south-east corner[3]. was of  Jorhat according to Ahom rites, and arms and men were recruited from the neighboring areas by use of both diplomacy and force. Their preparation soon completed, and, they advanced by the end of November 1828, towards Marioni, twelve miles from Jorhat. They were however, intercepted on their way by a detachment under Lieutenant Rathurfourd[4]. The tender Assamese soldiers could not last long in front of the superior in arms and experienced forces of the British. This was the first resistance movement against British power in Assam.

Another Ahomprince, named Gadadhar, a relative of Jogeswar Singha, who appeared to have been moving in the Burmese frontier in the guise of a Khamti priest, roused the people to fight the invaders and proposed the assassination of the British officer. Later, he attempted to win over the  British regiment at Sadia by diplomatic means. But this attempt also resulted as invain[5].

 Meanwhile, the nobles of Upper Assam had been maturing plans to make a fresh attempt to put an end to the British occupation of Assam. Peoli Borgohain the fugitive leader of the first abortive attempt of 1828, assisted by his two sons Harakanta and Haranath, his son-in-law  Jeoram Dulia Barua,  Deoram Dihingia Barua[6], Dhananjay, Peoli, son of Badan Barphukan, ex-viceroy of Gauhati, Rupchand Konwar, Boom Singpho. Emissaries with secret letters were sent out to the chiefs of the Moamarias, the Khamtie, the Singphos, the Khasis, the Garos, and the Nagas calling upon their aid in expelling the English from Assam and the neighboring territories[7].

       ……If you wish for a Surgeedeo and the restoration (to power) of the seven noble houses, you will not neglect to send along with the Youngman (Haranath) the soldiers under your orders. We also have taken measures. If you think that this is false, send your own man to inspect (our force)[8].

   On 25the February 1830, the rebels numbering about four hundred made a desperate attack on the post of Rongpur. After a small encounter, the sepoys dispersed the rebels and succeeded in apprehending most of the ring leaders except Dhanjay. Peoli Barphukan, Jewram Dulia Barua were sentenced to death and executed, and Rupchand Kanowarand, Deb Ram Dihingia Deka, Bom Singpho, and Haranath were sentenced to 18 years of banishment[9]. Though they failed their efforts were heroic to regain the lost glory of the Ahom kingdom.

Although the repeated attemptsto restore the old Government fizzled out, it had an important impact on the British administration. The Government realized that the Ahom nobility and members of the royal family whose ancestors ruled the country for centuries would not easily give up their ancient rights[10]. The Government decided to restore an Ahom prince in Upper Assam ‘for an experiment rather than a final settlement [11]. Further economically, upper Assam was not considered to be a viable unit by the British. Under the circumstances, the monarchy was restored to Upper Assam. On 2^nd March 1833, PuranderSingha was enthroned as the Raja of Upper Assam. Sporadic incidents of armed revolts continued.

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[1] Freedom Fighters of Assam, Report of Enquiry Committee of Freedom Fighters, Govt. of Assam, 1979, Guwahati, Introduction Chapter.

[2] H.K.Barpujari, Pol. His. Of Assam, Vol. I, p- 19

[3], [4], [5], [6] S.L.Barua, Comprehensive History of Assam, P. 466, Chapter – 2

[7]  BSPC.,1830; 30 APRIL, No, 5A; 24 September, No. 76; Neufville 14 June. ) Pol. H. ASS. HPBarpuj. P-24

[8] BSPC.,1830; 30 APRIL, No, 5A; 24 September, No. 76; Neufville 14 June. ) Pol. H. ASS. HPBarpuj. P-24

[9] . Freedom Fighters of Assam, Report of Enquiry Committee of Freedom Fighters, Govt. of Assam, 1979 Guwahati, Introduction Chapter. 

[10] . Scott to chief secretary to the Government, FDPC, 10 June. 1831, No. 51.)16( ManiramDewan and contemporary Assamese society, A. Dutta. P- 63-64.

[11] . Barpujari, H.K., Publication Board Assam, Guwahati, 2003, Vol. II, P-362