Beginning of the British Adminidtration in Assam - Questions and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The Jaintia king Rajendra Singh/Govinda Chandra/Tirot Singh was deported to Sylhet by the British.

Rajendra Singh

2. The last Ahom king was Chandra Kanta Singha/Kamaleswar Singha/Purandar Singha/Jogeswar Singha.

Purandar Singha

3. Tirot Singh was a patriot of Khasi/Manipuri/Jaintia.

Khasi

Short Answer Questions

1. To which kingdom Govinda Chandra belonged?

Govinda Chandra belonged to the Manipur kingdom.

2. Who was David Scott?

David Scott was the agent to the Governor General on the North-East Frontier and the first Commissioner of Assam.

3. Who was the next commissioner to David Scott?

Thomas Campbell Robertson was the next commissioner to David Scott.

4. Of which kingdom Tirot Singh was the Syiem?

Tirot Singh was the Syiem of the Nongkhlaw kingdom in the Khasi Hills.

5. What was the title of the Muttook king?

The title of the Muttook king was Swargadeo.

6. According to the instruction of Jenkins who lost the kingdom?

Purandar Singha lost the kingdom according to the instruction of Jenkins due to non-payment of yearly tribute.

7. What were the districts that Jenkins divided into in Lower Assam?

Jenkins divided Lower Assam into Goalpara, Darrang, and Kamrup districts.

8. To whom British gave Rupees 50 (fifty only) as pension and occupied Cachar?

The British gave Rupees 50 as pension to the sons of Tularam Senapati and occupied Cachar.

Long Answer Questions

1. How was the revenue policy of David Scott? Discuss.

David Scott established a separate revenue system for Lower and Upper Assam. In Lower Assam, he retained the parganas under Choudhuries, with Sheristadars, Tahsildars, Patowaries, and Thakurias collecting revenue. He taxed rent-free lands like Devottar and Brahmattar at half the rate as a contribution. Opium cultivation was heavily taxed, and a two-rupee poll tax was imposed on each paik for three puras of land. In Upper Assam, he continued the Ahom paiks and khels system, appointing Lambodar Barphukan for civil trials.

2. What steps were adopted in the matters of judiciary during the time of David Scott?

During David Scott's time, panchayats were formed with local people to settle minor civil and criminal disputes. Important cases were tried by the Commissioner's assistants with panchayat assistance. Appeals could be filed with the commissioner. In Upper Assam, important civil cases were entrusted to Lambodar Barphukan, and criminal cases to the Junior Commissioner. In Lower Assam, two civil courts and one criminal court were established.

3. How was the revenue administration of Robertson?

Robertson implemented revenue reforms by levying land revenue based on land quality. He fixed rates according to quality and quantity of land, recorded cultivators' details to end exactions, and established a system to ensure fair collection and prevent oppression.

4. What were the steps adopted by Major Jenkins regarding the welfare of Assam?

Major Jenkins promoted tea, coal, and oil industries. He abolished checkpoints for free trade between Assam and Bengal, introduced steamships on the Brahmaputra, improved transportation and roads, and established English medium schools in Gauhati and Sivasagar to spread education.

5. How did Jenkins divide Assam into different districts?

Jenkins divided Assam into districts: Lower Assam into Goalpara, Darrang, and Kamrup; Upper Assam into Sibsagar and Lakhimpur. Revenue units called Tanganis were created under Phukans, Rajkhowa, and Baruahs, assisted by Hazarikas, Saikias, and Boras. Later, mauzas replaced Tanganis, managed by Mauzadars from both aristocratic and common backgrounds.

6. Who was Tirot Singh? Why did he rise against the British?

Tirot Singh was the Syiem of Nongkhlaw in the Khasi Hills. He rose against the British in 1829 due to their plan to build a road through Khasi territory to connect Guwahati and Sylhet, which would lead to taxation and subjugation. After warnings of British ulterior motives, he demanded their evacuation, leading to the Anglo-Khasi War where he fought using guerrilla tactics for four years.

Short Notes

1. Tularam Senapati

Tularam Senapati was the chief general of the Dimasa King Krishna Chandra Hasnu, defending the kingdom from external threats. After his death in 1854, North Cachar was annexed by the British and tagged with Cachar. His sons received a pension of Rs. 50, leading to British occupation of Cachar.

2. Purandar Sinha

Purandar Singha (1818–19, 1833–1838) was the last king of the Ahom kingdom. Installed twice, his second reign ended when the British annexed Upper Assam in 1838 due to non-payment of tribute, marking the end of 600 years of Ahom rule.

3. Tirot Singh

Tirot Singh, Syiem of Nongkhlaw, led the Anglo-Khasi War (1829–1833) against British road construction through Khasi Hills, using guerrilla warfare. Captured and exiled to Dhaka, he died in 1835, commemorated as a freedom fighter.

4. Gomdhar Konwar

Gomdhar Konwar, an Ahom prince, led the first revolt against British rule in Assam in 1828 to restore Ahom monarchy. Enthroned at Jorhat, his rebellion was suppressed; he was imprisoned for seven years but escaped to Naga Hills.

5. Occupation Singpho by the British

The Singpho kingdom, between No-Dihing and Tengapani rivers, came under British control via a subsidiary treaty with their chief. They agreed to inform on eastern enemies but revolted in 1839 at Ahom instigation; the British suppressed it and occupied the territory.

6. British occupation of Jaintia kingdom

The Jaintia Kingdom was annexed by the British on March 15, 1835, after Raja Rajendra Singh's involvement in human sacrifices and boundary disputes. He surrendered, retiring to Sylhet with Rs. 500 pension; the hills and plains came under British rule until 1947.