British Rule in Assam
During the reign of Kamaleswar Singha (1795-1811) and Chandra Kanta Singha (1811-1818), the royal court gradually showed the sign of a polarisation. During the time of Chandrakanta Singha, the court was virtually divided into two blocks. the king and the members of the royal family were on one side, and Purnananda Buragohain, the Prime Minister and his supporters on the other. Being unable to control the activities of Purnananda Buragohain, the royal camp succeded in persuading the Burmese monarch to despatch a force to Assam. In 1817, the Burmese appeared on the scene and installed Raja Chandrakanta to power. But soon Chandrakanta was replaced by Purandar Singha, who was raised to the throne. When this development came to the knowledge of the Burmese king, they despatched Alamingi at the head of another Burmese force, which entered Assam frontier in 1818. With the intervention of the Burmese, Assam was placed under Chandrakanta Singha, a puppet in the Burmese hands. The Burmese began a reign of terror and it was in this context that the British intervened leading (the signing of the Treaty of Yandaboo. While the British intervention saved Assam from being converted into a Burmese province, it made Assam a slave under British rule. the Treaty of Yandaboo, signed on 26th January. 1826, proved to be a turning point in the political history of Assam. The king of Ava surrendered his claims over Assam and the 27 neighbouring states of Kachar, Jayantia and Manipur to British government.
The East India Company, which took the realm of Assam as a result of the signing of the Yandaboo treaty, issued a proclamation to the effect that at the end of success, Assam would have a Government adopted to all. The purpose of the proclamation was to secure the support of the local people of Assam. Although in the midst of the devastation caused by the Burmese; the local people initially welcomed the entry of the East India Company, the people were soon disillusioned with the British. It is in this context that we saw a series of rebellion till 1857, when the Sepoy Mutiny broke out.
Reference may be made to the rebellion of Prince Gomdhar Konwar under whose Leadership the first rebellion against the Company Raj took place in 1828. There was another rebellion, namely the rebellion of Gadadhar, within a year of the rebellion of Gomdhar Konwar. In 1830, there was the rebellion of Piyali Phukan and his associates, leading to the martyrdom of Piyali Phukan. In this context, we may also mention the rebellion of the Khasis (1826), rebellion of the Stngphos (1829), insurrection of the Akas, insurrection of the Nagas (1812), the insurrection of the Garos, that were directed towards removing the East India Company from power.
In 1857, Assam also participated with the rest of the country in what is known as the Sepoy Mutiny. In Assam it was Maniram Dewan, who masterminded the rebellion from distant Calcutta, The associates of Maniram Dewan, like Piyali Barua, Madhu Malik, Bahadur Gaonbura were known foe their conspiracies regarding the participation of the people of Assam in anti-British uprising. When the activities of the rebels came to Light, Maniram Dewan and Piyaji Barua were caught, tried and executed, and numerous others were put into prison.
In the aftermath of the rebellion of 1857, there occurred the transfer of power from the East India Company to the British Crown. The British government adopted a revenue policy in order to enhance the rates of revenue so as to repair the damage of financial strain on the Government. It led to a number of popular uprisings against the British government. For example, we may refer to the Patharughatar Dhewa, a rebellion in Rangia, Lachima rising in Jayantia hills, rebellion in Manipur etc. All this developments showed that all were not well in Assam in so far as the British rule was concerned.
After the occupation of Assam by the British in 1826, a long line of frontier of Bhutan touched, for the first time, that of the British territory. In fact, right from the days of Warren Hastings, the GoveNors-General were conscious about the critical role with ‘the Himalayan Kingdom’ the British was to play in establishing contact with the people of Tibet. In 1774, Bhutan was forced to conclude a peace treaty and to pay a tribute of five tangan horses annually to the Company. After the occupation of Assam by the British, the tribute paid by Bhutan gradually fell into arrears, and frequent outrages and “decoities” were committed in the British territory. In 1828, outrages committed by Bhutia officials in-charge of the Buriguma Duar led to the attachment by the Government of the tract, but was restored in 1834 on payment of fines. In 1841, to secure peace in this part of the frontier, a sum of Rs. 10,000/- was paid to the Bhutan government.“ In 1844, the chief of the Koriapar Duar formally renounced his claim to this Duar in return for annual payment of Rs. 5000/.
In 1867-68, the boundary between Bhutan and Koch Bchar was demarcated, but the portion between Assam and Bhutan was left undemareated. In 1870, the dev Raja of Bhutan requested the British that the boundary between Assam and Bhutan should be laid down. The Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, Sir William Grey, directed the Commissioner of Assam to settle the matter. The Commissioner, however, strongly opposed such demarcation stating that in the demarcation drawn in 1866, Dewangiri had clearly been included in the British India and there was no objection from the Bhutan government. This led to a misunderstanding between the two Governments on collection of taxes. Ultimately in September 1972 major J. M. Graham, the then Deputy Commissioner of Darrang, was appointed a Boundary Commissioner, and Dewangiri remained with the British India territories; thus settled the Assam-Bhutan boundary.
The end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century witnessed a new awakening due to the interaction of various forces and movements. The popular organisations like the Raij mels, Sarbajanik Sabha, Rayat Sabha and the Assam Association built up a Climate of Popular Movements leading to the emergence of nationalism in the said period. It was recorded that before the establishment of the National Congress, most of the popular organisations in Assam maintained contact w ith other political organisations outside Assam which were posed to take an all-hulia character. In the first sitting of the National Conference held in 1883 before the inception of the Indian National Congress was attended by delegates from Assam,.
Throughout the course of anti-British movements, Assam participated with tremendous involvement of both men and Women. Inspired by the dedicated leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, the people of Assam participated in the Non-co-operation Movement of 1920-21. The movement was particularly marked by the participation of the students of Assam as well as the tea garden labourers. The students had their own body, Assam Chhalra Sanmilan, through which they used to express their views and assert their influence. It may be noted here that with the progress of the movement, the demand for formation of the Assam Provincial Congress for the Assam Valley was gaining popular support. It led to the formation of the Assam Provincial Congress in 1921.
Even during the Civil Disobedience Movement in Assam in 1930, there was full scale participation of the people of the Province. The Quit India Movement of 1942. also, inspired the people of the Province to make sacrifices for the cause of freedom.
By the time, there was political change in Great Britain and the Labour Party government came to power. In accordance with the declaration of the Labour Party, the process of providing political independence to India was accelerated. It was in this context that Lord Mountbatten was appointed the new Governor-General who was entrusted with the responsibility of preparing the ground lor a smooth transfer of power. Accordingly, in terms of the Mountbatten Plan, India was accorded independence in 1947 and Assam became a Province of Independent India.,
The Ahom kingdom was a powerful kingdom that ruled over Assam from the 13th to the 19th centuries. The Ahoms were a Tai people who migrated from present-day Yunnan in China to Assam in the 13th century. They established their capital at Sibsagar and ruled over Assam for over 600 years.
The Ahom kingdom was a major power in the region and played a significant role in the history of Assam. The Ahoms were skilled warriors and administrators and they built a strong and prosperous kingdom. They also introduced many new technologies and ideas to Assam, including tea cultivation.
The Ahom kingdom came to an end in the 19th century when it was annexed by the British East India Company. The British ruled Assam for over 100 years and during this time, they made many changes to the region. They introduced new laws and systems of government, and they also built roads, railways, and other Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE.
The British also played a major role in the development of the tea Industry in Assam. The first tea gardens were established in Assam in the early 19th century and the tea industry quickly became one of the most important industries in the region.
The British rule in Assam came to an end in 1947 when India gained independence. Assam became a part of the Indian Union and it has been a state of India ever since.
Post-independence Assam has seen a lot of development. The state has seen rapid economic Growth and it has also made significant progress in Education and healthcare. However, Assam has also been affected by a number of problems, including insurgency and ethnic conflict.
Despite these problems, Assam remains a beautiful and vibrant state with a rich history and culture. It is a state with a lot of potential and it is sure to play an important role in the future of India.
The Ahom kingdom was founded in 1228 by Sukaphaa, a prince from the Shan kingdom of Mong Mao. Sukaphaa led a group of Shans from Mong Mao to Assam and they established their capital at Charaideo. The Ahoms quickly conquered the local Kachari kingdom and they soon became the dominant power in Assam.
The Ahom kingdom reached its peak under the reign of Rudra Singha (1696-1714). Rudra Singha was a powerful and successful ruler who expanded the Ahom kingdom to its greatest extent. He also built a number of important temples and monuments, including the Rang Ghar, a large amphitheater used for public gatherings.
The Ahom kingdom began to decline in the 18th century. The kingdom was weakened by a number of internal problems, including SUCCESSION disputes and peasant revolts. The Ahoms were also facing increasing pressure from the British East India Company, which was expanding its power in the region.
In 1826, the Ahom kingdom was defeated by the British in the First Anglo-Burmese War. The British annexed Assam and it became a part of British India.
The British rule in Assam had a profound impact on the region. The British introduced a number of new laws and systems of government, and they also built roads, railways, and other infrastructure. The British also played a major role in the development of the tea industry in Assam.
The British rule in Assam came to an end in 1947 when India gained independence. Assam became a part of the Indian Union and it has been a state of India ever since.
Post-independence Assam has seen a lot of development. The state has seen rapid economic growth and it has also made significant progress in education and healthcare. However, Assam has also been affected by a number of problems, including insurgency and ethnic conflict.
Despite these problems, Assam remains a beautiful and vibrant state with a rich history and culture. It is a state with a lot of potential and it is sure to play an important role in the future of India.
What is Assam?
Assam is a state in north-eastern India. It is the largest state in India by area and the 13th most populous state. The capital of Assam is Dispur.
What is the history of Assam?
The history of Assam is long and complex. The first people to live in Assam were the Austroasiatic peoples. The Ahoms, a Tai people, arrived in Assam in the 13th century and ruled the region for over 600 years. The British East India Company took control of Assam in the 1820s. Assam became a part of India in 1947.
What is the culture of Assam?
The culture of Assam is a mix of different cultures, including the Austroasiatic, Ahom, and British cultures. The Assamese people are known for their hospitality and their love of music and dance.
What is the economy of Assam?
The economy of Assam is based on agriculture, tea, oil, and natural gas. Assam is one of the largest producers of tea in the world. The state also has significant reserves of oil and natural gas.
What are the challenges facing Assam?
Assam faces a number of challenges, including POVERTY, illiteracy, and insurgency. The state also has a high rate of deforestation.
What are the opportunities for Assam?
Assam has a number of opportunities, including its rich natural Resources, its skilled workforce, and its strategic location. The state has the potential to become a major economic hub in the region.
What is the future of Assam?
The future of Assam is bright. The state has the potential to become a major economic and cultural hub in the region. With the right policies and investments, Assam can achieve its full potential.
Sure, here are some MCQs about Assam:
Which of the following is not a major river in Assam?
(A) Brahmaputra
(B) Barak
(C) Ganges
(D) ManasWhich of the following is the capital of Assam?
(A) Guwahati
(B) Dibrugarh
(C) Silchar
(D) JorhatWhich of the following is the main language spoken in Assam?
(A) Assamese
(B) Bengali
(C) Hindi
(D) EnglishWhich of the following is the main religion practiced in Assam?
(A) Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism
(B) Islam
(C) Christianity
(D) Buddhism-2/”>BuddhismWhich of the following is the main crop grown in Assam?
(A) Rice
(B) Tea
(C) Jute
(D) Oil palmWhich of the following is the main tourist attraction in Assam?
(A) Kaziranga National Park
(B) Manas National Park
(C) Dibru-Saikhowa National Park
(D) Orang National ParkWhich of the following is the main festival celebrated in Assam?
(A) Bihu
(B) Durga puja
(C) Christmas
(D) EidWhich of the following is the main sport played in Assam?
(A) Football
(B) Cricket
(C) Hockey
(D) KabaddiWhich of the following is the main political party in Assam?
(A) Asom Gana Parishad
(B) Bharatiya Janata Party
(C) Indian National Congress
(D) All India United Democratic FrontWhich of the following is the main airport in Assam?
(A) Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport
(B) Silchar Airport
(C) Dibrugarh Airport
(D) Jorhat Airport
I hope these MCQs were helpful!