Trade/Commerce
A curious feature in the trade of the Khasi
and Jaintia Hills was the total absence of Marwari or Jain merchants - an
enterprising class, who were found everywhere else in Assam, even to the
farthest corners of the Brahmaputra valley.
There were a few Bengali traders from Dacca, who did not take up a permanent residence in the Hills; but the great bulk of the business remained in the hands of the locals, who themselves reaped the profits and were said to be keen on a bargain.
There were a few Bengali traders from Dacca, who did not take up a permanent residence in the Hills; but the great bulk of the business remained in the hands of the locals, who themselves reaped the profits and were said to be keen on a bargain.
The principal markets at the foot of the
Hills, on the Sylhet side, were Bholaganj, Chhatak, Lakhat, Jaintiapur,
Jafling, Pharalbazar, Maodong, Ponatit, Sonapur, Molaghul, and Lengjut. Many of
these were situated within the Sylhet boundary; but they were all frequented by
Khasi and Synteng traders, who spent their whole time in passing from one
market village to another. The markets or
hats were held at regular intervals of eight days (for the Khasi week
consists of this number), with the object of permitting the same people to
visit the different places in rotation.
The foundation stone of the Anglican church
was laid by H.E. Lord Northbrook, Viceroy of India on 22 August 1874. The Guard
of Honour with colours, was furnished by the 43rd Native Infantry. Divine
Services had previously been held in the Residency Hall (of Government House) till
the Church was first used[1].
A quiet road from ‘General’s Point’ leads to
the Anglican Cemetery. British nationals who served under the crown in the north
eastern region are buried here and their tombstones make an interesting reading
into history. The Anglican cemetery in Rilbong has gravestones dating back to
the last century, including those soldiers killed in the Lushai campaign in
Mizoram.
According to Gurdon, the District had always
been subject to earthquakes, and in 1875 a major earthquake occurred in the
region causing damage to houses in Gauhati and Shillong.
In 1876 the building of institutions
continued. On 11 June 1876, the Anglicans first used their church on the same
site where their Cathedral stands[2].
The Gorkha Pathshala School has been the oldest educational institution run by
people of Nepali origin in India[3].
It was established in 1876 by a group of ex-army personnel of the then British
Gorkha regiments settled permanently after their retirement in Shillong.
The Gurhas formed the backbone of the British
military presence in the Khasi Hills, first at Cherrapunji and then at
Shillong. There were some civilians known as the ‘floating population’ of
Nepali origin who had accompanied the Gurkha personnel. These ex-army and
serving personnel including the dairy farmers had their families with them. And
in order to cater to the educational need of their children, they founded a
Nepali medium school named ‘Libery School’.
[1]Philemon, E.
P. 1995, Cherrapunjee: the arena of
rain - a history and guide to Sohra & Shillong / E.P. Philemon
Spectrum Publications, Guwahati. Taylor,
S.B ; "Ecclesiastical Report of Lower Assam for the Year 1880", One
Hundred Years, A short account of the Anglican Church in Assam, 1930, pg. 5-6.
[2]Philemon, E.
P. 1995, Cherrapunjee: the arena of
rain - a history and guide to Sohra & Shillong / E.P. Philemon
Spectrum Publications, Guwahati.Syiemlieh, D.R; "Our City"
NEIHA DECENNIAL, Shillong, pp. 21-22.
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