SEBA Class 10 Social Science History Chapter 3 Anti-British Rising and Peasant Revolts in Assam

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SEBA Class 10 Social Science History Chapter 3 Anti-British Rising and Peasant Revolts in Assam

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Anti-British Rising and Peasant Revolts in Assam

HISTORY

Very short answer type questions:

1. After the establishment of the British rule in Assam how did the system of revenue collection change? 

Ans: After the establishment of the British rule in Assam in 1826, the revenue system changed from kind to cash. The British began to collect all taxes in cash.

2. In which year did Moffat Mills come to Assam?

Ans: In 1853, Moffat Mills came to Assam.

3. Who were the Keyas? 

Ans: Keyas were the immigrant Marwari Mahajans in Assam who earned a living by lending money on interest to the Assamese populace.

4. Who led the revolt of 1857 in Assam?

Ans: Maniram Dewan led the revolt of 1857 in Assam.

5. Which Ahom Prince did the rebels of Assam want to re-install on the throne in the revolt of 1857?

Ans: The Ahom prince, Kandarpeswar Singha.

6. Who was the Bengali Muktiyar who helped Maniram Dewan?

Ans: Madhu Malik was the Bengali Muktiyar who helped Maniram Dewan.

7. Who was hanged along with Maniram Dewan?

Ans: Piyoli Barua was hanged along with Maniram Dewan.

8. Who tried the case of Maniram Dewan? 

Ans: Captain Holroyd tried the case of Maniram Dewan.

9. Mention two causes of the failure of the revolt of 1857 in Assam.

Ans: Two causes of the failure of the revolt of 1857 in Assam are:

(i) All the number of rebels in Assam was very small. Maniram Dewan’s supporters were confined to Jorhat and Sibsagar. He hardly gained any support in Nowgaon, Kamrup and Gauhati.

(ii) The leaders of the rebellion failed to understand the importance of time and so, even after completion of all preparations for the revolt, they failed to begin in time. As a result the British government gained a lot of valuable time for defence.

10. In which years were the Stamp tax and Income tax implemented?

Ans: Stamp tax was implemented in 1858 and Income tax was implemented in 1860.

11. Write two causes of the pitiable condition of the peasants of Assam during the British Decany found by the and dating the bro rule. 

Ans: Two causes of the pitiable condition of the peasants of Assam during the British Decany found by the and dating the bro rule are:

(i) Heavy taxation by the government during British rule.

(ii) Natural calamities like flood, drought and epidemics.

12. Who was Lieutenant Singer?

Ans: Lieutenant Singer was the Assistant Commissioner of Nowgaon during the time of Phula revolt in 1861. He died when the peasants hit him with sticks while he was talking to agitators.

13. When did the Phulaguri Dhawa take place?

Ans: In 1861, the Phulaguri Dhawa take place.

14. When did the peasant revolt of Rangia take place?

Ans: In 1894, the peasant revolt of Rangia take place.

15. Where is Lachima located? 

Ans: Lachima located in the Bajali region of North Kamrup district of Assam.

16. When did the peasant revolt of Lachima take place?

Ans: In 1894, the peasant revolt of Lachima take place.

17. When did the peasant revolt of Patharughat take place?

Ans: In 1894, the peasant revolt of Patharughat take place.

18. Who led the Jaintia revolt in 1861?

Ans: Ukiang Nonbah led the Jaintia revolt in 1861.

19. Who led the revolt of the ethnic tribes of North Cachar in 1881?

Ans: Sambudhan Phonglosa led the revolt of the ethnic tribes of North Cachar in 1881.

20. Who punished Tikendrajit with the death sentence?

Ans: The British punished Tikendrajit with the death sentence.

21. In which year was J.W Quinton murdered?

Ans: In 1891, J.W Quinton murdered.

Long answer type questions

1. Discuss in brief the causes of the revolt of 1857-58.

Ans: The rebellion of 1857 in Assam was an offshoot of India’s First War of Independence which commenced in Meerut on 10th May,1857 with the mutiny of the Indian soldiers. The basic reason for the outbreak of the rebellion in Assam was the dissatisfaction of the people with the British administration, for which the following factors were responsible:

(i) Defective land revenue system: The first major factor that prepared the ground for the outbreak of the rebellion of 1857 in Assam was the introduction of the new revenue system by which land revenue and other taxes began to be collected in cash. It broke the backbone of the Assamese peasantry. The British focused on collecting tax due and not on enhancement of agriculture by way of better embankment and irrigation system. The common folk were also fleeced by the Mahajans or money lenders from whom they had to borrow money to pay revenue.

(ii) Spread of epidemics: Upper Assam suffered greatly from epidemics like cholera and measles which led to several villages being wiped out in the years 1839, 1847 and 1852. No help from the British and non-exemption of tax alienated the common people.

(iii) Exemption of tea gardens from land revenue: The British established tea gardens in Upper Assam, which they exempted from land revenue. The additional tax burden had to be borne by the peasants.

(iv) Deterioration of cottage industries: The British administration policy of importing foreign cloth affected the Pat and Muga silk cottage industries of Assam, causing the people associated with them to face great hardships.

(v) Lack of employment: The upper class society of Assam were lacking in modern education and hence could not find employment in the East India Company administration. Moreover, they lost their position to educated Bengali babus who were imported by the British from Bengal.

(vi) Abolition of slavery: The abolition of slavery in Assam in 1843 was not accepted favourably by the aristocratic class as they now had to do all the manual labour themselves. This loss of prestige also created ill feeling. The freed slaves were employed in the tea gardens, but no measures were adopted for their benefit. Hence, they too remained dissatisfied.

(vii) Re-assessment of Lakhiraj lands: The Brahmins, priests and religious pontiffs resented the British administration’s taking away of the excess Lakhiraj lands that they had been occupying since ages, and also fixing of tax on their revenue-free lands.

(viii) Various prior rebellions: Soon after the occupation of Assam by the British, there occurred several rebellions with a view to bring back the Ahom monarchical rule in the state. This included the rebellions of 1828, 1829 and 1830. The revolt of 1857 is considered to be a continuation of these rebellions.

2. Discuss the role of Maniram Dewan in the revolt of 1857-58 in Assam.

Ans: Maniram Dewan had planned to expel the British.In Calcutta Maniram Dewan met Madhu Mallik, a Bengali Muktiyar and together they hatched a conspiracy to drive the British out of Assam. Bahadur Gaonburha, Phormud Ali, Piyoli Barua, Dutiram Barua, Mayaram Nazir etc were some elites of Assam who responded to Maniram Dewan’s appeal. It was decided that Ahom Prince Kandarpeswar Singha would lead the soldiers in Assam in revolt and Maniram Dewan would bring arms and weapons from Calcutta to help them.

By the middle of August 1857, the British authorities received intelligence about the conspiracy in Assam. Sensing the seriousness of the situation, Chief Commissioner Jenkins requested reinforcements of trained European soldiers. In early September, Captain Holroyd intercepted several letters written by Maniram Dewan, which contained clear evidence of the conspiracy. In response, Captain Louther arrived in Jorhat with a force and arrested Kandarpeswar Singha, the Ahom prince, on September 7, 1857. He was immediately sent to Alipur Jail in Calcutta.

3. Discuss the reasons why the revolt of 1857-58 failed in Assam.

Ans: There are many reasons why 1857-58 failed in Assam; Such of these:

(a) The number of rebels in Assam was very small. Maniram Dewan’s supporters were confined to Jorhat and Sibsagar. He hardly gained any support in Nowgaon, Kamrup and Gauhati.

(b)  The leaders of the rebellion failed to understand the importance of time and so, even after completion of all preparations for the revolt, they failed to begin in time. As a result the British government gained a lot of valuable time for defence.

(c) The chief organizer of the revolt, Maniram Dewan was far away from the scene of the revolt. 

(d) Maniram Dewan and his associates never tried to involve all sections of the society in the revolt. The new Assamese middle class people of Nagaon and Gauhati were not at all sympathetic towards the revolt. At that time the newly emerging Assamese middle class intelligentsia was more attracted towards the Bengali middle class lifestyle. 

(e) The rebels of Assam failed to maintain the secrecy of their activities. As a result the British government came to know about their entire conspiracy and could successfully suppress the revolt.

(f) The rebels in Assam had no access to arms and ammunition as was required. Though Maniram Dewan was supposed to bring arms and weapons, he was arrested before he could do so.

(g) The Indian soldiers of the British army posted in Assam did not form the backbone of the revolt in Assam. The rebels in Assam could not gain the support of these soldiers as in Meerut, Delhi and Lucknow.

All the reasons mentioned above led to the fact that the revolt of 1857 had no serious impact in Assam. Whatever little impact was there was completely eradicated by the British government.

4. Discuss the importance of the revolt of 1857 in Assam.

Ans: The revolt of 1857 in Assam stands as a landmark event in the history of Assam. Its importance lies in the following aspects:

(i) Assam became a part of the national movement: Assam’s participation in the revolt of 1857 is considered to be the first event where the people of Assam joined the rest of India to expel the British from the country, and became part of the national movement for freedom.

(ii) Set an example: After the revolt of 1857 many peasants’ revolts occurred in different parts of the state from 1860 to 1894. The patriotic deaths of Maniram Dewan and Piyoli Barua inspired the people, and many historians consider the peasants’ revolts to be reactions of the failed Rebellion of 1857.

(iii) Hindu-Muslim unity: The chief organisers of the revolt consisted of eminent men from both Hindu and Muslim communities. This unity greatly boosted the spirit of nationalism as well as brought communal harmony in the state.

(iv) Great inspiration: The failed rebellion encouraged hundreds of freedom lovers of the state to take active participation in the national movement for independence led by Mahatma Gandhi. These men were greatly inspired by the activities and sacrifice of patriotic men like Maniram Dewan, Piyoli Barua, Bahadur Gaonburha, Sheikh Formud Ali, etc. who played commendable roles in the revolt of 1857.

5. Write a note on the Phulaguri Dhawa.

Ans: The banner of revolt that was raised for the first time in Assam by the exploited peasants against the British policy of economic exploitation was the Phulaguri Dhawa. Located near Nowgaon, Phulaguri was a village inhabited by the Tiwa ethnic community who survived on the commercial cultivation of Poppy. When the British government began to sell opium (which was extracted from the Poppy seeds) these peasants were naturally infuriated. In 1861, the British government completely banned the cultivation of Poppy. This agitated the Tiwa ethnic community and more so, because the selling of opium by the British government continued. The British administration’s decision adversely impacted upon the economic condition of this community. Another news that made rounds was that the government would impose tax on Tamul-pan (Areca nut and betel leaves) also.

The Phulaguri Dhawa (1861) was one of the first organized peasant uprisings in Assam against British colonial policies. It was triggered by oppressive taxation on essential goods like betel leaf (tamul-paan) and the ban on poppy cultivation, which affected the livelihood of the local farmers. The uprising turned violent when Lieutenant Singer attempted to suppress the protest, leading to his death. In retaliation, the British authorities launched a severe crackdown, sentencing several peasants to death and deporting others to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This event remains a significant chapter in Assam’s history of resistance against colonial rule.

6. Discuss the peasant revolt of North Kamrup in 1894.

Ans: The peasant revolt in Rangia began on 24th December 1893 with the looting and destruction of Rangia Bazaar. The peasants, angered by the increased land revenue, targeted Marwari Mahajans who they believed were responsible for their economic hardships. They looted land mortgage papers and humiliated Radhanath Barua, the Tehsildar of Rangia and Tamulpur.

The revolt escalated, and the British government sent armed forces, but the well-organized peasants made it difficult for them to take action. On 8th January 1894, the police arrested 15 peasants from a Raij Mel (people’s assembly). In response, around 3000 peasants gathered outside the Rangia Police Station on 10th January, demanding the release of their fellow protestors and a reduction in land revenue. When they refused to disperse, Deputy Commissioner McCabe ordered the police to open fire, forcing them to retreat.

To suppress the movement, McCabe banned public meetings and appointed select peasant leaders as police constables. These measures led to the payment of ₹60,000 out of the ₹90,000 revenue demanded. However, the peasants remained defiant, and protests continued in Nalbari, Barama, Bajali, and other areas, making revenue collection difficult for the British.

This revolt was a significant event in Assam’s history, showcasing the peasants’ unity and resistance against oppressive colonial policies.

7. Give an account of the peasant revolt of Patharughat in 1894.

Ans: The peasantry of Patharughat in the Darrang district also rose in rebellion on January 28,1894. The peasants of Kalaigaon,Mangaldai, Sipajhar of Mangaldoi circle and Patharughat tehsil gathered in these Raij Mels. The Patharughat Peasant Revolt (1894) was a significant uprising in Assam against British revenue policies. Peasants planned a three-day public assembly (Raij Mel) on January 26-28, but British officials, led by Deputy Commissioner J.D. Anderson and Police Superintendent J.R. Berington tried to suppress it. When the British began confiscating properties of peasants who refused to pay revenue, around 2000 peasants armed with sticks confronted them.

Despite Anderson’s warning, the peasants refused to disperse, leading to a violent clash where they retaliated with stones and sticks. In response, the British opened fire, killing 140 peasants (unofficial records) or 15 (official records) and injuring many more. The revolt was brutally crushed, with several arrests and punishments. Though suppressed, the Patharughat revolt became a symbol of resistance against British oppression in Assam.

8. Write a note on the Jaintia revolt against the British in 1850.

Ans: In 1835, the British took control of the Jaintia Kingdom from King Rajendra Singha, which angered the Jaintia people. More than losing their land, they were upset by British interference in their daily lives, traditions, and religious practices.

The British appointed local chiefs (Dolois) to handle administration but kept finding faults with them. They also introduced strict rules, such as banning community fishing and firewood collection, which were important for the people’s survival. The Jaintias were further enraged when the British banned their traditional weapons and imposed new taxes like House Tax and Income Tax, which they had never paid before.

When the British started collecting House Tax, the Jaintias revolted by driving out the tax collector from Jowai. Soon, rebellions spread to Jayantipur, Mulagul, Jaflong, and Sera.

In response, the British took harsh measures, but the Jaintia resistance, led by Ukiang Nongbah, grew stronger. The rebels held a secret meeting near Jowai and vowed to drive out the British. On January 17, 1862, they launched a surprise attack on the British camp in Jowai and blocked important roads, stopping British reinforcements from reaching the area.

The British sent soldiers from the 44th Native Infantry and 33rd Bengal Military Police to crush the rebellion. The British forces tortured the Jaintia people brutally, but the rebels also fought back fiercely, killing many British soldiers. The fight between the two sides turned into a violent struggle for control.

9. Write about the anti-British revolt of 1891 in Manipur under the leadership of Tikendrajit?

Ans: Manipur was an independent kingdom under British protection and was not part of Assam’s administration. In 1890, a dispute broke out in the royal family over the throne. Taking advantage of British support, Crown Prince Kulachandra removed King Surachandra and became the ruler on 21 September 1890. Though Surachandra asked the British for help, they recognized Kulachandra as the king.

The British soon started pressuring Kulachandra to remove Senapati Tikendrajit, who was a strong leader fighting secretly against British control. Tikendrajit was very popular among the people and wanted to protect Manipur’s freedom. Removing him was not easy.

The situation worsened when the Chief Commissioner of Assam, J.W. Quinton, and four British officers came to Manipur to arrest Tikendrajit. However, the Manipuri forces, under Tikendrajit’s leadership, resisted, and the British officers were killed. In response, the British sent a large army to Manipur. Tikendrajit was eventually caught and hanged for opposing British rule and killing British officials.

King Kulachandra was sent into exile, and a young prince, Churachandra, was made the new ruler in September 1891. However, the real power was in the hands of the British Political Agent. Manipur was also forced to pay Rs. 2.50 lakh as compensation to the British and Rs. 50,000 every year. This marked the complete British control over Manipur.

Tikendrajit’s bravery and leadership in fighting against British rule made him a hero in India’s freedom struggle.

Write Short Notes:

1. The Revenue system implemented by the British in Assam.

Ans: In the 1830s–40s, the British introduced a new revenue system in Assam that replaced the earlier non-cash method with a cash-based tax collection system. This forced peasants to pay land revenue in cash, causing economic hardship as there were no proper markets or income sources.

To pay taxes, peasants borrowed money from Mahajans (mainly Marwari and Bengali traders), leading to debt and exploitation. Revenue collection sharply increased—for instance, Kamrup’s revenue rose from ₹1,10,181 in 1832–33 to ₹2,95,991 in 1852–53.

Anandaram Dhekial Phukan criticized this burden in his 1853 letter to Moffat Mills, noting that taxes were too high. With no agricultural reforms and repeated famines, poverty deepened, leading to resentment and eventual anti-British uprisings in Assam.

2. Maniram Dewan.

Ans: Maniram Dewan, born as Maniram Borbhandar Barua, was a prominent historical figure from Assam known for his role in resisting British colonial rule. He witnessed the Burmese invasion and the British annexation of Assam in 1826. Initially a supporter of British authority, he was appointed as Shirastadar (Revenue Bookkeeper) in 1828 and later served as Dewan under Ahom king Purandar Singha during his brief reinstatement by the British. He played an important role in administrative and revenue reforms.

In 1839, Maniram joined the Assam Tea Company but left it in 1844 to start his own tea plantation at Cinnamara, becoming the first Indian tea planter. However, he faced racial discrimination as the British refused to grant him the same privileges as European planters. The British also seized his family’s traditional revenue-free lands, causing personal and economic hardship.

Following the death of Kameswar Singha in 1851, Maniram supported the claim of Prince Kandarpeswar Singha to the throne and submitted petitions in 1853 to Moffat Mills, the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court, seeking the restoration of the Ahom monarchy.

His transformation from a British supporter to a strong opponent made him a pioneer in Assam’s early anti-colonial movement.

3. Phulaguri Dhawa.

Ans: The Phulaguri Dhawa of 1861 was the first organized peasant revolt in Assam against British colonial exploitation. It took place in Phulaguri village near Nowgaon, inhabited by the Tiwa (Lalung) community who primarily cultivated poppy. The British ban on poppy cultivation and continued opium sale by the government deeply affected the peasants’ livelihood. Moreover, rumors of new taxes on Tamul-paan (areca nut and betel leaves) further aggravated public discontent.

On 17 September 1861, over 1500 peasants held a Raij Mel at Phulaguri to protest. They demanded the removal of the poppy cultivation ban and opposed the new taxes. The Deputy Commissioner, Herbert Sconce, responded with repression. When his assistant, Lieutenant Singer, tried to forcibly disperse a larger gathering on 18 October, tensions escalated. A peasant struck Singer fatally, and his body was thrown into the Kollong river. This incident became known as the Phulaguri Dhawa.

The British arrested many peasants; some were executed, and others exiled to the Andaman Islands. Though dismissed by colonial authorities, the revolt gained mass support from various communities, including the Assamese middle class and businessmen. The Phulaguri Dhawa holds historical significance as the first major anti-British peasant uprising in Assam.

4. Peasant revolt of Lachima.

Ans: The Peasant Revolt of Lachima, which erupted in the Bajali region of Assam, was part of a larger movement of resistance against British rule in the late 19th century. The revolt was fueled by the oppressive revenue collection practices of the British, and peasants in regions like Lachima, Choukhuti, and Sarthebari, organized under the Raij Mels, a collective assembly. On 21 January 1894, the Moujadar of Kapla, Dasuram Choudhury, and his Mondol, Holiram Mishra, were assaulted by peasants while collecting taxes. The incident sparked a larger confrontation, leading to the arrest of 75 peasants by the British authorities. Despite heavy repression, including the use of force by Deputy Commissioner McCabe and the detention of 59 rebel peasants, the resistance continued to grow, with 6,000 people submitting a petition for their release. The British authorities publicly humiliated the leaders by parading them in chains. However, following a ruling from the Calcutta High Court, the sentences of the arrested leaders were reduced, although they still faced rigorous imprisonment. The revolt exemplified the growing resistance against colonial rule in Assam.

5. Battle of Patharughat.

Ans: The Peasant Revolt of Patharughat occurred in January 1894 in the Mangaldoi circle of Darrang district, Assam, as a response to increased land revenue and harsh collection practices. The peasants, primarily from Kalaigaon, Mangaldi, Sipajhar, and Patharughat, organized public assemblies called Raij Mels to protest these measures. On January 27, the British authorities, led by Deputy Commissioner J.D. Anderson, arrived with police and military forces to prevent the planned three-day assembly.

As the peasants continued to resist, their properties were confiscated, which provoked anger and led to a confrontation with the British officers. When around 2000 peasants, armed with sticks, marched towards the Rest Camp, Anderson ordered the police to disperse them by force. In retaliation, the peasants hurled stones and pebbles at the officers. In response, Anderson ordered the police to open fire, resulting in the deaths of at least 140 peasants, though official reports claimed only 15 deaths.

The revolt was brutally suppressed, and 37 peasants were arrested and tried. Although the British government managed to quell the uprising, the Patharughat revolt remains a significant symbol of peasant resistance against colonial exploitation in Assam.

6. Importance of peasant revolts in Assam.

Ans: The British took control of Assam after the Treaty of Yandaboo in 1826, and they introduced a revenue system that heavily taxed the peasants. The taxes were high, and the demand for payment in cash made it difficult for the poor peasants to survive. This led to widespread discontent with British rule.

From 1861 onwards, many peasant revolts broke out in Assam, including the Phulaguri Revolt (1861), the Peasant Revolt in Lower Assam (1892-93), revolts at Rangia (1893-94), Lachima (1894), and Patharughat (1894). These revolts were mainly caused by the high taxes imposed by the British and were not driven by political or social reasons. The peasants were protesting the unfair economic system, as they struggled to meet the heavy demands of the British.

What was important about these revolts was that they were led by common people, not the wealthy or aristocratic classes. This marked a significant shift, as ordinary peasants took the lead in resisting British rule. These uprisings showed that the common people of Assam were determined to fight for their rights.

These revolts played a key role in inspiring future generations of Assamese people to fight for freedom. They helped spark a greater desire for independence in the region and demonstrated the strength of the people in challenging injustice. The peasant revolts remain a symbol of resistance against British colonial rule in Assam.

7. Tikendrajit.

Ans: Tikendrajit Singh was a prominent leader and the Commander-in-Chief of the Manipuri army during the revolt against the British in 1891. He played a central role in resisting British attempts to control Manipur, particularly when they tried to force King Kulachandra to exile him due to his anti-British stance. Tikendrajit became a symbol of resistance to British colonial rule. He was an influential figure in the movement to protect Manipur’s sovereignty.

When the British officers, including Chief Commissioner J. W. Quinton, attempted to capture Tikendrajit, the Manipuris killed them in an act of defiance. As a result, the British retaliated by sending a military force, which successfully captured him. Tikendrajit was tried for his role in the killings and the anti-British activities and was subsequently hanged by the British. His execution was a major event in the history of Manipur’s resistance to British imperialism and left a lasting legacy in the fight for freedom in the region.