Beginning of British administration in Assam
Select the correct answer:
1) British exiled Rajendra Singh / Govind Chandra /Tirat Singh of Jaintia kingdom to Sylhet.
Answer: The British exiled King Rajendra Singh of Jaintia to Sylhet.
2. The last Ahom king of Assam was Chandrakant Singh / Kamaleshwar Singh / Purandar Singh / Yogeshwar Singh.
Answer: The last Ahom king of Assam was Puranda Singh.
3) Tirat Singh was a Khasi / Manipuri / Jaintia patriot.
Answer: Tirat Singh was a Khasi patriot.
Short answer questions:
1) Govinda Chandra was the king of which kingdom?
Answer: Govinda Chandra was the king of the kingdom of Kachar.
2. Who was David Scott?
Answer: David Scott was a prudent English administrator.
3. Who was David Scott's next commissioner?
Answer: David Scott's next commissioner was Robertson.
4) Tirat Singh was the Chief of which state?
Answer: Tirat Singh was the Chief of the Khasi Kingdom.
5. What was the title of the king of the Matak kingdom?
Answer: The title of the king of the Matak kingdom was Barsenapati.
6. Jenkins suggested who lost the throne?
Answer: Purandar Singh lost the throne on the advice of Jenkins.
7. What districts did Jenkins divide South Assam into?
Answer: Jenkins divided southern Assam into Goalpara, Darang and Kamrup districts.
8. Who was given a scholarship of Rs. 50 by the British to occupy Kachar?
Answer: The British captured Kachar by giving Puranda Singh a scholarship of Rs.
Essay-related questions:
1) What was David Scott’s revenue policy like?
Answer: During the administration of David Scott, separate revenue arrangements were made for southern and southern Assam. He did not remove the parganas of southern Assam. In southern Assam, the same pargana (revenue area) under the administration of a Chowdhury was retained as before. Treasury collectors like Chirstdars, Tahbildars, Patwaris, Thakurs etc. are employed. A separate group was formed for the collection of taxes covering the Nagaon and Raha regions. In addition to the land treasury, Scott also imposed financial taxes on people of various professions. People engaged in various occupations such as weavers, goldsmiths, fishermen, blacksmiths, etc. had to pay this tax. Scott also assessed treasury on tax-free Debottar, Brahmottar and Dharmottar lands during the Ahom rule. Half of this land was taxed, it was called contribution.
Scott's land survey of southern Assam was completed during his reign. This was done under the supervision of Captain Matthews. The lands were divided into slum areas, rupit and paddy areas, locust and oilseed paddy, soybean areas etc. The new tax system took longer in some places and less in others. Higher taxes were levied on land on which opium was grown. Scott told the company that there is more revenue collection in southern Assam and it is likely to increase. In southern Assam, a treasury of Rs. 2 was collected from each pike for giving him three full plots of land. This land was called Ga-mati and in the treasury Ga-dhan. In addition, everyone had to pay taxes per capita.
2. What measures were taken in the administration of David Scott in the matter of prosecution?
Answer: David Scott was in charge of the administration of a large area of the Brahmaputra Valley. During Scott's reign, several panchayats composed of local people were formed to settle local common civil and criminal cases. Offenses of importance were tried by the Assistant Officers of the Commissioner assisted by the Panchayat. Those who were not satisfied with the judgment of the Panchayat could appeal to these officers. If not satisfied thereafter, an appeal could be made to the Commissioner, who heard the appeal and rendered a judgment. Scott entrusted Lambod Barphukan with the responsibility of civil prosecution in southern Assam. In South Assam there were two courts for civil cases and one for criminal cases. He also tightened the police department. During Scott's administration, good relations were established with the Moammars, Singphous and Khamtis. All work was supervised by David Scott himself. As a very wise administrator, David Scott held a respectable position in contemporary Assam.
3. What was the revenue system like in Robertson's day?
Answer: Robertson reformed the revenue system in Assam and fixed the treasury rates by determining the quality of the land. To prevent exploitation of treasury collection, it was customary to record information such as type, amount of land, name and address of farmers. On the basis of this information, a document or patta was issued to the farmer in his name with the land and the amount of treasury to be paid. The house-tax, the cor-tax, the plow-tax, or the per capita tax were kept the same. These reforms and increased tax rates increased the amount of money deposited in the treasury. To prevent corruption among revenue officials, Robertson collected details of land, houses, forests, etc. and determined their taxes. In addition, the raiyat were given leases and revenue receipts. Even if the revenue officers asked for minor cases, they could not impose fines or punishments without informing the Collector. Robertson's reforms benefited the raiyat.
4. The What welfare schemes did Major Jenkins undertake for Assam?
Answer: Major Jenkins was one of the British officers who worked tirelessly for the development of Assam. Like Scott, this officer took many plans for Assam. He was closely associated with the development of the tea, coal and oil industries in the state. Scott lifted the Kandahar post on the grounds that the border posts were an obstacle to Bengal's direct trade with Assam. Jenkins later removed the other chairs. The first steamship was introduced on the Brahmaputra River through the efforts of this officer. He also paid great attention to the improvement of roads. This officer was very interested in education and through his efforts English medium schools were established in Guwahati and Sibsagar.
5. How did Jenkins divide Assam into different districts?
Answer: Jenkins divided the British-occupied Brahmaputra Valley into four districts. They are Goalpara, Kamrup, Darang (including Bishwanath) and Nagaon. In the old documents, Nagaon district is referred to as Khagarijan. At that time the district extended to the Dhansiri River in the east. The headquarters of Khagarijan was Nagaon. In 1834, the headquarters was moved to Rangagara, after which Purani Gudam became the headquarters. After a few days, the city of Nagaon was again declared the capital. Guwahati was the capital of the district of Kamrup, which was formed on both sides of the Brahmaputra, bordered by Manah to the west and Barnadi to the east. The newly formed district in the area, including the western region formerly under the king of Darang, was called Darang district. Its headquarters was originally in Mangalore. However, this place was considered unhealthy. It was often flooded. Therefore, in 1836, the headquarters was moved from Mangaldai to Tezpur. Goalpara, including the Garo Hills, was formerly ruled by Rangpur. Later, the Garo Hills were removed from Goalpara and a new district was formed. The headquarters was moved from Goalpara to Dhubri when steamships started running regularly. After the capture of Kachar, the British turned it into a district. Its headquarters is in Shillong. In 1832, Purandara Singh was made king of the whole of southern Assam except Matak and Shadia and asked to pay taxes of Rs. 50,000 per annum. He was unable to pay taxes and his kingdom came under direct British administration. His kingdom was divided into two districts - Shivsagar and Lakhimpur. The headquarters of these two districts were Jorhat and Lakhimpur respectively. As mentioned above, Jenkins divided Assam into various districts.
6. Who was Tirat Singh? Why did he become anti-British?
Answer: Tirat Singh was the Chief of the Khasis. After the British occupation of the Brahmaputra Valley, they intended to establish a link with the Surma Valley through the Khasi Hills. The Khasi Chiem Tirat Singh gave permission to build this road from Rani through Nangkhou. However, the construction of the road later indicated that their independence would be violated and therefore the Khasi chiefs opposed it. Relations between Tirat Singh and the British had already deteriorated. The British did not help Tirat Singh in the war against the Queen's kingdom, but were prepared to help the Queen's king. In 1829, Tirat Singh attacked the Company with Khasi troops. For these reasons, Tirat Singh became opposed to the British.
Write a brief note:
1. Tularam Senapati
Answer: The commander of the Kachar army was Tularam. He claimed the entire Kachar region from the British. However, the British recognized Tularam only as a tributary ruler of North Kachar. When Tularam Senapati died, his two sons Nakul Ram Burman and Brajnath Burman ruled his father's kingdom.
2. Puranda Singh
Answer: Puranda Singh was the son of the Ahom king Brajnath. The king was wounded and his son Purandara Singh was made king. In 1833, Robertson signed a treaty with Purandar Singh at Guwahati on behalf of the East India Company. According to this treaty, Puranda Singh was given the rule of southern Assam except the kingdoms of Matak and Shadia and in exchange Puranda Singh was forced to pay an annual tax of Rs. 50,000 to the British Company. In 1838, Purandara Singh was deposed, proving the laxity of the administration. Purandara was given a retirement allowance and his kingdom was brought under direct British administration.
3. Tirat Singh
Answer: Tirat Singh was the Chief of Khasi. He allowed the British to build this road from Rani through Nangkhou. However, the construction of the road later indicated that their independence would be violated and the Khasi chiefs opposed it. Relations between Tirat Singh and the British had already deteriorated. The British did not help Tirat Singh in the war against the Queen's kingdom but were prepared to help the King of the Queen. In 1829, Tirat Singh attacked the Company with Khasi troops.
4. The Gomdhar Konwar
Answer: The first to oppose the British rule in Assam was Gomdhar Konwar of the Ahom royal family. Gomdhar Konwar was supported by Dhananjay and his sons Harnath, Jiuram Dulia Barua and others. The British ended their military rule in southern Assam and withdrew their troops from there. There are many ways in which you can improve your self-confidence. There are many ways in which you can improve your self-confidence. The British were not as weak as Gomdhar thought, they immediately suppressed the rebellion. They arrested anti-British conspirators including Gomdhar. The British Commissioner David Scott imprisoned the rebels, including Gomdhar Konwar, in Rangpur prison in Bengal for seven years. Gomdhar also fled from Fatek to the Naga Hills but was caught and sentenced to seven years in Rangpur Fatek. It is not known where Gomdhar Konwar went from Rangpur Fatek.
5. British occupation of the kingdom of Tsingtao
Answer: The Tsingfaus lived in the plains between the Nadihing and Tengpani rivers in the east of the Matak kingdom. The chief of Singphou was called Gam. The Gams submitted to the British and signed a treaty that brought the area under their rule. They agreed to inform the British government if they learned of an enemy coming from the east. Therefore, the Ahom community was incited by some of the da-dangiyas of the Tsingfao to conspire to rebel. Newville had to suppress the Tsingfao again.
6. British occupation of Jaintia
Answer: Although King Rajendra Singh of Jaintia established good political relations with the British by making treaties, he did not help them as expected during the turbulent period following the Man invasion. The British had to threaten the Jaintias for invading the British occupied territories across the Jaintia Parganas border. In 1835, Captain Lister captured the kingdom of Jaintia. A political agent supervised the administration of the Jaintia kingdom on behalf of the British. The Jaintia king Rajendra Singh was exiled to Sylhet.
Editing By:- Lipi Medhi
