3.5 Ostrich
Hill
Not far from Nongkhlao there was a beautiful spot known by the name of Ostrich
Hill, and on its summit stood a humble Monument bearing an inscription:
Multis ille bonis fleblis occidit, Nulli fledilior mihi
Translated[1], this means: “Falling after daring great deeds he perished, bemoaned by many good men.” Under the Monument were deposited the remains of the two friends, Lieutenants Bedingfeld and Burlton, which were recovered soon after their massacre.
A few months later, on 25 May 1829, Mr. Henry
Beadon, Esq. Assistant Surgeon, who was also attached to them both, was killed
in action with Teirut Sing and his followers, and his name had been united on
the Monument, with those of his friends, in avenging whose deaths he met his
own. David Scott had pleaded with Beadon to show restraint, but he was enraged
at the cruelty of the Nongkhlao people and bent upon revenge.
Scott had been shocked and grieved by the
news of Ensign David Hay Brodie's death[2].
He had only heard from Mirza (presumably his servant), that he was brought in,
ill of a fever, on 20 April 1831, and died on the 23 April 1831. Scott did
everything in his power to prevent him from exposing himself in the jungles of
the lower Cassya Hills. Brodie of the 13th Native Infantry
distinguished himself in defending the area at Myriaw side and the Duars[3]
from further Khasi attack[4].
It is not clear if he was also buried at Ostrich Hill.
In later years Major White referred to Scott
in one of his letters that one should "not
be surprised to hear of his taking up a place on the Ostrich Hill". He
was alluding to a beautiful green hill so named because of the resemblance to
that bird of a solitary tree near its top[5].
This hill, from the noble prospect it commanded, was a favourite spot with all
who visited the place, in its more peaceful and happier days, but particularly
with Lieutenant Bedingfield, who, on his last visit, seemed to have a
presentiment that he would die there, and begged Dr. Beadon that he should be
buried on the summit of the Ostrich Hill.
On the retaking of the place on 2 May 1829,
Lieut. Bedingfield’s wish was complied with, and the mangled remains of himself
and Lieut. Burlton were collected and buried, in one grave, in the caves on its
top. These two officers were like brothers in arms, loved by all who knew them,
and as much attached to Scott as he was to them.
At the time of the atrocities on 4 April
1829, Scott was on his way from Nongkhlao to Cherra Punji, and before starting,
had been falsely warned by the Nongkhlao people, that he would be attacked in
passing through the Molacem country, with the aim of deterring him from going,
and might, thereby, be involved in the general massacre. Scott so far fell into
this trap, and deceived by this show of kindness, he only left one Naik
(Corporal) and four Sepoys at Nongkhlao, but contemptuous of the warning given,
he determined to push on with a guard of 12 Sepoys.
The Cassyas, seeing their victim likely to
escape, planned an ambush at Zumbree, where he was to be invited to pass the
night. On arriving somewhat close to the village, a courteous invitation was
sent out to him. As the inhabitants had been rather hostile to the British
alliance, this extraordinary politeness roused Scott's suspicions, and he declined
the offer. Pushing on rapidly for Syung, whose inhabitants had not joined in
the subterfuge, he passed the night there. This single act most certainly saved
his life.
Satisfied with the security arrangements at
Nongkhlao, on 1 April 1829 Scott left Lieutenants Bedingfeld and Burlton and
arrived in Churra Poonjee on 2 April 1829[6].
On the way, Scott had some conversation with the people of Lungburree, who the
day before, had detained his coolies, and taken some belongings from them.
After his arrival at Churra Poonjee, he did not receive any Dak, and for a few
days, attributed it to the Lungburree people. However on 7 April 1829, there
was a report that the whole party at Nongkhlao had been cut off. As of 10 April
1829, they had not been able to get hold of anyone who had actually been at the
scene, but by all accounts, Scott feared for the safety of his friends.
The conduct of the Rajah of Nongkhlao was quite
inexplicable and, Scott was sure that it would lead to the ultimate occupation
of his country. The people at Churra Poonjee were on friendly terms and
appeared to be sincere. Scott feared that the termination of their Sanatarium
at Nongkhlao might induce the Government to suspend proceedings in Churra
Poonjee as well. On the night of 9 April 1829, they were in some alarm as an
attack was expected by the people of the village. By the evening of 10 April
1829, Scott expected a party of 40 men which would enable him to defy the
Cassyas.
[1]A quotation
from Horace, Odes, Carm.1.24, lines 3-10. An inscription on the South side of
the nave of St. Peter's, Broughton, North Staffordshre Memorial Inscription.
[2]Appendix No. 23: Extract of a letter from Mr.
Scott, dated Goalpara, 28 April 1831, to Lieut. H. Vetch, of the Assam Light Infantry.
[3]The floodplains and foothills
of the eastern Himalayas in North-East India around Bhutan. The Western Dooars
is known as the Bengal Dooars and the Eastern Dooars as the Assam Dooars.
[4]The History and Culture of
the Khasi People, Third Edition, Dr. Hamlet Bareh, Spectrum Publications,
Guwahati, 1997, Pg.130.
[5]Appendix
No. 35: Letter from Lieut. H. Vetch, of the Assam Light
Infantry, Jorehaut, 30 March 1831, to Col. Arch. Watson.
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