3.12 Second Anglo-Khasi War
In spite of
what the Company had accomplished, the tumult of the war had not yet been
entirely silenced. Rebellions still flared up even after Tirot's imprisonment
and a few Syiems resisted against
pressure applied by the Company.
In 1836, Sngap Syiem of Maram (Maharam) launched another rebellion. According to tradition, Sngap Syiem continued to resist Government occupation of his country since the days of Tirot and thus the Maram movement was prolonged for about ten years, terminating with his surrender in 1839. It took about three years to capture the Nongnah stockade.
In 1836, Sngap Syiem of Maram (Maharam) launched another rebellion. According to tradition, Sngap Syiem continued to resist Government occupation of his country since the days of Tirot and thus the Maram movement was prolonged for about ten years, terminating with his surrender in 1839. It took about three years to capture the Nongnah stockade.
In 1836 the
Sylhet Light Infantry was employed
against the Khasis, following some
fighting over a period of one year, at the village called Maharam. The attack, in which the Gurkhas distinguished themselves resulted in most of the Khasi chiefs coming in and giving their guarantee for future good
behaviour. Major Lister the commandant was wounded. This was his second wound,
the first being incurred against the same Khasis
in 1829[1].
On 27 June
1834, E.D. Townsend, Civil charge Cherra
reported that a party of 100 Cossyeahs
headed by Phanwun of Maram attacked
the village of Saphoo within the
jurisdiction of Nongsteng (Nongstoin).
Phanwun was the same man who murdered the brother of Nongstoin Rajah, 4 years ago and a woman near the village of Mantare a few months ago. Dur Singh (Kala Rajah of Nongstoin) asked for intervention but later on, Townsend reported
that the Syiem asked for permission
to open hostilities with the Maram Rajah.
It would
appear that the Maram Rajah committed
raids against Nongstoin in
retaliation, for the latter having accepted the British paramountcy, although
in fact, both Nongstoin and Maram had executed treaties in December
and November 1832 respectively.
Townsend
was directed to summon the people of Maram
and produce the culprits. It was proposed that the evidence should be taken in Townsend’s
presence before a Panchayat of Kossiah Sirdars who should give their
opinion on the criminality of the accused agreeable to their own customs. If
they would failed, a suitable fine was to be imposed upon the whole community
and a more explicit Treaty was to be concluded with the Kalah Rajah. It appeared that Maram
wanted to break off allegiance with the British Government and these were the
germs of the Maram movement and the
causes of the war which broke out in 1839.
On 15 March 1835, Captain Lister (commanding
the Sylhet Light Infantry Battalion) in company with H. Inglis (having the
local rank in the same corps) proceeded to Jaintiapur with a strong detachment.
They seized the whole of the Syiem's
property in the plains (Jaintia Parganas),
leaving him the hills and what property he might possess in the plains.
Captain Lister received an order that if the
ex-Raja should still be unwilling to
reside in his territory, he should be required to proceed first to Sylhet,
where in consultation with the Magistrate, he could have a suitable house for
his accommodation. The plains territories of the ruler of Jaintia were annexed
and transferred to the Company. The District of Gobha was similarly annexed to
Nowgong in Assam.
In conformity with the norms of British
policy, the Jayantia Parganas of the Sutnga State were forcibly tagged with
Sylhet and Gobha was tagged with Nowgong district in 1835. The Hills portion of
the Jaintia or Sutnga State was converted into a British area under the name
"Jaintia Hills," Sohbar became a British area. Several villages were
converted to British villages.
The States which were not converted into
British territories were called "Khasi States". The Khasi States and
Khasi villages which were converted into British areas were generally known as
"Khasi and Jaintia Hills District." In his relationship with Khasi
and Jaintia Hills District, the English Officer was styled as “Deputy
Commissioner”, and in his relationship with the Khasi States he was styled as
“Political Officer”. 31 villages were converted into British villages.
On 11 February 1835, the Governor General of India in Council appointed Captain Lister as
the Political Agent. The Station at
Sohra being the only place at that time, over which the Political Agent exercised sole jurisdiction. The Political Agent, besides being in charge
of the civil administration, was also in charge of the Military Administration
(through the Sylhet Light Infantry) which was afterwards changed to 8th Gurkha
Rifles).
With the
fall of Nongkhlaw and with the annexation of the Jayantia Parganas in 1835, the
British, thought that all uprisings must have been quelled, but signs of rebellion
could still be seen. Sngap Singh of Maram continued the struggle for 4 years
more, till he was forced to surrender in 1839.
Sngap Syiem of Maram was the last to wage war with the Company in 1839. Maram comprised three portions - Rilum (upper
range), Ri war (lower range) and the plains with Puran, Saspur Kadir and Konah
now included in Bangladesh. Jakrem in
the Upper range and Ranikor in the
plains were the ancient capitals. The Company levied taxes in the plains near Sunamganj which led to resentment. A
prolonged war was the outcome.
The
circumstances leading to Major Lister's skirmish, and the wound which he
sustained from an arrow in 1836, has already been mentioned before. These
disturbances continued and in April and May 1838, the Governor-General insisted on the local Government to furnish
relevant information with regard to the origin of these disturbances.
On 9 March,
there was a skirmish with a detachment of the Sylhet Light Infantry
commanded by Captain W. J. Bennet against a stronghold located in a deep valley.
The warriors started the offensive leading to Bennet's withdrawal, after which
a messenger (Dobasia) was sent to
announce to the warriors who implored them come out and lay down their weapons.
The Dobasia received a rude reply
from the warriors who asked him to send his troops and take them all from their
place. Thereafter they sent volleys of arrows. The circle of the stockades was panjied and the rows of stones
surrounding it kept the stockade secure.
The Khasis were able to sustain the defence
of the upper ranges including the villages of Jakrem, Rangthong, Mar-shillong for some time but with the coming
of the stronger force, they concentrated themselves at Nongnah and operated from its stronghold on the precipitous height
of Nongkdait, Theip Bamon and Mawtajem defeating and keeping out the
several expeditions approaching Nongnah
from the Balat side. At Rangthong, several soldiers fell down
dead.
The Khasis
operated by casting down heavy rocks upon the battalion and shooting with
arrows and guns. As an outcome of this persistent struggle for supremacy, Maram lost a large territory in the
plains but the Company took the cautious attitude to retain the State as
Semi-Independent. On the precipitous top near Nongnah is still called after this event to perpetuate the story of
how groups of soldiers were thrown down the precipice.
In 1839 Company
records state that since the withdrawal of Company troops from the disturbed
territory, consequent on the engagements entered into by Sirdars of villages, several atrocious murders were perpetrated by
the inhabitants on sepoys and others
passing through that part of the hills.
The
Political Agent, had suggested that steps therefore should be taken to
establish a chain of military posts throughout that country and restrict cultivation.
The people of Maram however persisted
until 1839. In concluding the terms with Sngap, Lister strictly adhered to the
principles that his life and personal liberty be guaranteed, that an amnesty be
offered to his followers and that at the later stage, the troops be withdrawn.
To: The Political Agent to the Governor-General.
4
13 February 1839: Songaph Raja, resident of Mohuram
hills, having wantonly fought against the Government, and it has lost a
great number of men, and incurred a great expenditure, and by doing so he had
committed a great fault, he craves amnesty for the past offences of himself and
his subjects, the Khasias, all enter into an agreement with the hope of being
allowed to live as a Sirdar in his own country[2].
4
That within one month, he would pay the Company a fine Rs. 2,000 for the
pardon of his offences.
4
That Chand Manick Raja and Burro Manik Raja, of Mooleem Poonjee, would stand security
for the due fulfillment of the conditions, and that he keep his (sister's son)
nephew, Sooiong Raja at Mooleem Poonjee, in order to execute
all orders passed with reference to his country.
A fine was
imposed on Sngap. The treaty was guaranteed by Bor Manick and Shan Manick of Mylliem. As regards the hostage, it was
first proposed that a Rajah's close relation should reside at the officer's
head quarters at Cherra. But finally
it was decided that he would reside with the Rajah of Myl1iem instead
of with the Political Agent at Cherra. It was also agreed that the
prisoners who had not been guilty of taking up arms, would be released but
those who had been suspected of involvement in the murders would be detained
until peaceful conditions resumed.
Bor Manick
may be the last Syiem of Shyllong
State and the first Syiem of Mylliem
State. Bor Manick of Shyllong was trapped, imprisoned though later released and
forced to sign a treaty with the British in 1830. The British managed to play
fast and loose with the "Bakhraws" of Shyllong State by bringing in a
split among them which finally bifurcated the Shyllong State into Khyrim and
Mylliem.
The Syiems of Mylliem were mainly concerned in a resolution, arranging the
resettlement, and collecting the tribute. In 1849, Singh Manick, Syiem of Khyrim, disputed the Company’s judicial power over his subjects and
refused to deliver the criminals taking shelter in his dominion. After a brief
resistance, the Syiem gave up the
claim and agreed to pay compensation to the Company for the trouble he had
incurred. There was still much fear among the officers to move about as Khasis used to cause surprise attacks on
them.
The Sirdars of Byrung Poonjee also signed
another perpetual lease of Agreement to the coal fields of Byrung Poonjee on 20
April 1840 which was later confirmed by Sobha Singh, Syiem of Sohra.
Based on
the 1853 report submitted by A.J. Mills, Lord Dalhousie suggested the enactment
of a complete set of rules and procedure suited to the usages and institutions
of the country.
On the retirement of Colonel Lister
in 1854, the charge of the hills was re-transferred to the Commissioner of
Assam and the Assistant Commissioner. Hudson was deputed to discharge, under
his supervision, the duties, hitherto entrusted to Colonel Lister and his
Assistant, Lieutenant Cave.
As late as 1854,
Sohbar was fined Rs.300 for the
murder of two travellers. Mawmluh was
imposed a fine of Re. 1 per house for sheltering the hostile rebels.
The five
principal States of Sohra, Khyrim, Nongstoin, Langrin and Nongspung would be
left undisturbed. However, the position of the other nineteen States would
remain the same but definite rules to govern them must be framed. In the four
British areas of Mawmluh, Sohra, Mawsmai and Sohbar in Khasi Hills and the
whole of Jaintia Hills, the Sirdar and the Dolois would continue under certain
checks to exercise jurisdiction in petty cases.
On the
occasion of the departure of the Political Agent, Lieutenant Colonel Lister to
Europe on sick Certificate in 1854, the Civil functions of the Political Agent
of the Khasi Hills were seperated from the command of the Sylhet Light
Infantry, in accordance with the orders of the Government of Bengal dated 11
March 1854 and vested in an Assistant Commissioner subordinate to the
Commissioner of Assam, precisely on the same footing as Principal Assistant in
the province of Assam. The Principal Assistant Commissioner of the
"Cossyah and Jynteah Hills" had been deputed to Sohra under the
orders of the Commander of 29 March 1854 and received charge of the district on
10 April 1854 following from Lieutenant Cave, who was officiating as Political
Agent during Lieutenant Lister's absence.
It was in
1854, an order from Fort William was given that the command over the Military
and Civil administration should "no longer come under the jurisdiction of
the Political Agent." "Military," therefore, assumed a new
department away from the "Civil" Administration. Probably it might be
because of this that the Cossyah Hills Political Agency ended and in its place,
there was the "Cossyah and Jynteah Hills District". The Khasi States
would not come under the jurisdiction of the above district.
The
'Principal Assistant Commissioner’ would be an Officer over 'Cossyah and
Jynteah Hills District'. C.K. Hudson was appointed as the first Principal
Assistant Commissioner of the Cossyah and Jynteah Hills District. A Junior
Assistant Commissioner, most probably, was also appointed as the adminstrator
of the British portion of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills functioning
simultaneously as Political Agent for the Khasi States. The Cossyah and Jynteah
Hills District was thus transferred to the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of
Assam.
J.B.
Shadwell was appointed the second Principal Assistant Commissioner.
In 1857,
W.J. Allen was deputed by the Government to Khasi and Jaintia Hills to prepare
a report on the administration of these hills. In 1859, on the recommendation
of Allen, as per his report of 1858, it was decided to require the execution of
an Agreement by each ruler on his succession and in return to confer a Sanad on
him.
It appears
that these Agreements were written in Bengali.
From 1859,
the relation between the Khasi States and the English was regulated through
'Sanads' and 'Parwanas,' which were Appointment Letters under the seal and hand
of the British Government confirming the election or selection or appointment
of any Khasi ruler.
In 1861,
the designation Principal Assistant Commissioner was changed to Deputy
Commissioner. Major B.A Rowlatt (credited with discovering Shillong) was the
third Principal Assistant Commissioner and the first Deputy Commissioner of the
Cossyah and Jynteah Hills district.
Provisions
were made to prevent European and other outsiders from obtaining concession
from the Khasi Syiems without the approval of the Government.
It was felt
necessary that in future a clause, may be inserted for acquiring land for
railways. Reference may be made to two petitions from the Sirdars and others of
Mawlong for the acquisition of certain lands in that State for the construction
of Dwara Therria Railway. As an answer to the petitions, the Government of
India stated that the Government would have the right to require Native States
to surrender lands for the construction of railways and would not be bound to
pay compensation or to make railway companies to pay compensation for such
lands, but would only do so at its discretion in exceptional cases. The
Government upheld that the objection of the Sirdars were entirely untenable and
the fact that the land taken up for the Ichamati Terminus shall or shall not be
given back to the State and that too, would depend on the orders passed on the
cause, according to the notice served to them. It was further suggested that
although the orders of the Government of India afforded sufficient authority
for the acquisition of lands in Khasi State for railway purposes, it would
appear desirable that for wide information of the Syiems and others concerned,
specified provisions to this effect shall be embodied in their Sanads.
On the
receipt of the Sanad from the Chief Commissioner for delivery to the newly
elected Syiem, the Deputy Commissioner would issue a notice to the Syiem to
appear in person.
The
confirming authority mentioned in Clause I was the "Lieutenant
Governor." In 1875 and 1877 the words, "The Chief Commissioner of
Assam" or "the Government of India" were substituted.
The Khasi
states, according to the English were "small" and
"unimportant." Thus, the Sanads were first signed by the Viceroy,
then by the Chief Commissioner and finally by the Deputy Commissioner.
It may be
noted here that the Khillat consisted of a skull cap, a pair of shawls and one
coral necklace. The Nuzzar and Ikranamah consisted of one hundred rupees. Later
the grant of Sanads was limited to nine principal States - Sohra, Khyrim,
Nongspung, Langrin, Mylliem, Maram, Myriaw, Nongkhlaw and Nongstoin.
The three
States of Sohra, Khyrim and Nongspung were the most important. On 15th April
1875, Colonel Bivar observed that the grant of Sanads signed by the Viceroy of
India was a distinction which should be limited to the three States of Sohra,
Khyrim and Nongstoin but the other Syiems should receive from the Local
Government.
Till 1878
Sanads were signed by the Chief Commissioner. Later, they were signed by the
Commissioner of the Surma Valley and the Hill Division. The Parwanas were,
however, signed by the Deputy Commissioner.
After the cessation of hostilities, Cherrapunji continued to serve as the
headquarters of the Political Agent of the newly created District of Khasi and
Jaintia Hills, as well as of a unit of the Sylhet Light Infantry. It remained
the civil station of the new District from the date of its creation in 1835
till 1864 when the station was shifted to Shillong.
The British officer appointed to look after the affairs of the Khasi &
Jaintia Hills had a dual role, that of Political Agent in relation to the
semi-independent Khasi chieftainships and Deputy Commissioner in relation to the
British portions of the District, inclusive of the newly acquired sirdarships and the entire Jaintia Hills
(called for administrative purposes the Jowai Subdivision).
This arrangement continued till 1948 when the Khasi States in federation
acceded to the new Dominion of India and placed themselves under the
administrative control of the Dominion Agent or Agent to the Governor-General.
The arrangement was short-lived as, with the adoption of a republican
constitution by India, the Khasi & Jaintia Hills as well as other hill
districts came under the purview of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution
which envisaged the creation of District Councils that would have powers to
legislate on a number of subjects including local affairs, education and forest
management.
The name of the district was changed to that of the United Khasi Jaintia
Hills to emphasize the end of the old distinction between the so-called Native
States and Government territory. The United Khasi-Jaintia Hills District
Council was inaugurated in 1952. On l December 1964, in response to
representations from the people of Jaintia Hills, the District Council was
bifurcated and since then the Khasi Hills District Council has been concerned
only with the affairs of the Khasi Hills i.e. the old Shillong Subdivision.
This arrangement did not materially alter after the
State of Meghalaya came into being in 1971, though the separation of the two
Sub-divisions became complete with the formation of two administrative
districts on 22nd February, 1972. The Khasi Hills District was itself
bifurcated on 12th October 1976, the two new districts being called the East Khasi
District with its headquarters in Shillong and the West Khasi Hills District
with its headquarters at Nongstoin.
No comments:
Post a Comment