CHAPTER 1: ANCIENT HISTORY OF ASSAM

Mythological Period to 12th century AD

1. Pre- historic and mythologies (Puran, Mahabharata, Ramayana etc.)

2. Varman Dynasty (Real beginning of political history)

3. Salasthambha Dynasty or Asura Dynasty

4. Pala Dynasty and others

Sources or Origin of the name Assam

 Ancient Assam has 2 names: Pragjyotisha and later Kamarupa

 According to Historian Edward Gait: “Prag” means ‘former’ or ‘eastern’ and Jyotisha ‘a
star’. Pragjyotishpur may therefore be taken to mean the ‘city of eastern Astrology’.
 Ancient Assam has been mentioned as ‘Pragjyotisha’ in Mahabharata and as ‘Kamarupa’
in the Puranas and Tantras.
 Apart from Mahabharata, Vishnu Purana and Kalika Purana, an important source, can be
the Jogini Tantra (Yogini tantra).
 The term Kamarupa was first mentioned in Samudragupta’s famous Allahabad Pillar
Inscription and also in the famous composition of Kalidasa’s Raghuvamsham.
 Dr.Banikanta Kakati believes that the term ‘ Kamarupa’ originated from the word ‘Kamru’
or ‘Kamrut’ which means magic or the art of invitation of evil spirits.
 Kamrupa: Place where Kamadeva( God of love) regains his rupa( original self/form)
 Sati’s organs of generation fell on KamagiriI.e. the Nilachal Hills near Guwahati and
the place thenceforth held sacred to Kamakhya, the Goddess of sexual desire.

Traditional Rulers of Kamrup

 The Danava Dynasty was the first legendary line of rulers in Pragjyotisha, esatablished
by Mahiranga Danava, who was subsequently succeeded by Hatakasur, Sambarasur,
Ratnasur and Ghatak.
 The Mairang Hill named after Mahiranga Danava is situated in present day
Guwahati(South).
 The last ruler Ghatakasura was killed and replaced by Narakasura.
  The Bhauma or Varaha Dynasty- founder Narakasura
 He is associated with the Hindu belief of the ‘Shakti’ Goddess.
 Narakasura initially was a worshipper of Kamakhya Devi but later on he tried to marry
her and as a result of that process he built the KAMAKHYA TEMPLE in NILACHAL
HILLS.
 Narakasura also made Pragjyotishpur and his capital and helped Brahmins settle down at
Kamakhya.
 He was succeeded by Bhagadatta—Vajradutta—Vajrapani.

Traditional Rulers of Sonitpur (Asura Kingdom)

 Established by – Marichi (first kings of ruling dynasty in the Vedic period)

 In Sonitpur (modern Tezpur), King Bana or Banasur ruled till he was defeated by Sri
Krishna in the famous Hori- HorJudho (after the secret marriage of Aniruddha with
Bana’s daughter Usha)(written in assamese in the book- Kumar Haran)
 At Kundila Nagar (modern Sadiya) the legendary king Bhismaka ruled and his
daughter Rukmini was the consort/ wife of Sri Krishna.
 Mahapurusha Sri Sri Sankardev, composed two prominent works e.g. the Rukmini-
harana- Kavya (a poetical work) and the Rukmini- harana- Nat (a dramatic work) on
the basis of the original Rukmini- Harana legend in medieval period.

Other Remarkable kings

 Dharmapala, a Kshatriya, is believed to have come from the west and founded a
kingdom whose capital was located in west of Guwahati.
 His rule was remarkable as he attracted a number of Brahmans and other high-caste
Hindus from Upper India to settle. The sage Kendu Kulai is believed to have lived in
his reign.
 Dharmapala succeeded by Padma Narayan, Chandra Narayan and Ramachandra(last)
whose capital was at Ratnapur in Majuli.
 Arimatta, Ramachandra’s son is often attributed the sin of patricide in various
stories as he killed his own father Ramachandra.
Previous Years’ Question- APSC
1) One of the following books is the most important literary source for the study of early
history of Assam. Which is the book? (2001)

a) The Mahabharata
b) The Harshacharita
c) The Kalika Purana
d) The Arthashastra
2) The earliest king of Assam was (2001)
a) Mahiranga Danava
b) Narakasura
c) Bhaskaravarman
d) Naranarayan
3) The earliest historical dynasty of Assam was that of the (2011)

a) Palas
b) Varmans
c) Narakas
d) Salastambhas

4) The Buranjis are (2013)

a) Autobiographical writings of the Ahom rulers

b) Diaries written by the monarchs
c) Chronicles
d) None of the above

CHAPTER 2 PERIOD FROM 4TH-12TH CENTURIES AD

Varman/ Bhauma Dynasty

 The first real political history of ancient Assam begins with the Varmans and the first
ruler of Kamarupa is Pushya Varman (355-380 AD).
Evidences -

 Umachal rock inscriptions

 Nidhanpur Copper Plates Grant
 The Doobi Plates
 Bana’s Harshacharita
 Si-yu-ki of Hiuen Tsang
 Nalanda seals
 Important rulers

1. Pushyavarman

2. Samudravarman

3. Balavarman

4. Kalyanavarman

5. Ganapativarman

6. Mahendravarman

7. Narayanvarman

8. Mahabhutivarman

9. Chandramukhavarman

10. Sthitavarman

11. Susthithavarman

12. Supratisthitavarman

13. Bhaskaravarman

 Pushya Varman assumed the title Maharajadhiraja which indicates his independent
status and said to be contemporary of Samudragupta.
 Mahendravarman first successfully waged a war against Gupta army and also the first
Varman ruler to perform Ashwamedha Yajna.
 The performance of the Horse sacrifice (Ashwamedha Yajna) was done by
Mahendravarman, Mahabhutivarman and Sthitavarman)
 Mahabhutivarman donated land to Brahmanas (as per both the Doobi and Nidhanpur
grants of Bhaskaravarman)
 Supratisthitavarman and Bhaskarvarman both were the sons of Susthitavarman.
Supratisthitavarman intoduced many reforms during his rule. However, he was not able
to reign for long and died during the lifetime of his father. He was succeeded by his
younger brother Bhaskaravarman (powerful and most successful king).
 Bhaskaravarman made alliance with famous king Harshavardhana. He recovered
Pundravardhana and also brought Gauda with its capital Karnasuvarna under his control.
Also brought Sylhet and Tripura including South- east Bengal under his control. (he
expanded the Varman dynasty to a great extent)

Bhaskarvarman- Harshavardhana-Shashanka

 On ascending the throne, Bhaskaravarman found two strong powers growing in

Northern India, viz. One in Central and Northern Bengal under Shashanka and the other
in mid- India under Prabhakaravardhana, father of Harshavardhana.
 Mahasena Gupta, one of the later Gupta ruler of the Magadha, tried to check the growing
aggressions of the Kamarupa kings. Shashanka gave powerful aid to Mahasena Gupta
who inflicted a defeat on Susthitavarman, the king of Kamarupa. The Magadhan king
thus recovered northern and central Bengal over which Shashanka was appointed as
Mahasamanta(Governor). Subsequently, taking advantage of the death of Mahasena
Gupta and the weakness of his minor son Madhava Gupta, Shashanka proclaimed
himself as independent king of the central and northern Bengal and also struck coins. He
soon attained to such power that he not only challenged the feeble Magadhan ruler
Madhava Gupta on the west and the Kamarupa power on the east but also subjugated the
whole of lower Bengal, Chota Nagpur and Orissa on the south.
 Towards the West of Kamarupa, Shashanka appears to have held possession of that
portion of territory which included the lands granted by Mahabhutivarman to a large
number of Brahmans. He was, therefore, the natural enemy of Bhaskaravarman who
must have been waiting for a favourable opportunity to regain the lost dominions and to
retaliate the defeat inflicted on his father. Shashanka was, however, a too powerful ruler
to be dealt with and Bhaskaravarman, therefore, wisely refrained from precipitating
matters by himself launching an attack on Karnasuvarna, the capital of Gauda, founded
by Shashanka.
 The long looked for opportunity came when Shashanka treacherously murdered
Rajyavardhana who had succeeded Prabhakaravardhana as the king at Thaneswar. This
incident is mentioned not only by Bana but also by Hiuen Tsang. On getting this
information, Harsha, Rajyavardhana’s brother and successor, resolved to take revenge on
the murderer. He had just started on his march to subdue Shashanka when he met by
Hangsavega, an ambassador from Bhaskaravarman, with valuable presents.
 Hieun Tsang speaks highly about the noble qualities of Bhaskara. He honoured
Bhaskara as the “king of eastern India”.
 He remained a celibate(unmarried) and with his death in 650 AD, Varman Dynasty came
to an end.

Salstambha Dynasty (655-675 AD)

 Salasthamba Dynasty, began with the reign of a chieftain called Salasthamba, a great
chief of the Mlechchhas (a wide term used in traditional Brahminical texts to denote all
non- Aryans.
 During the rule of this dynasty, the capital city was located at Haruppeswara( Tezpur)
 The 6th king of the dynasty, Sri Harsha/ Harshadeva was the most famous.
 Pralambha the great grandson of Harshadeva and Pralambha’s son Harjaravarman was
another famous ruler.
 Harjaravarman also built a lofty Siva temple and rows of stately buildings in the capital
city at Haruppeswara alongwith the existence of a big tank called – Hajarapukhuri.

Sources highlighting its origin

 Hayunthal plates of Harjaravarman

 Tezpur Rock Inscription of Harjavarman
 Bargaon plates of Ratnapala
 Tyagasimha was the last ruler

Pala Dynasty and later Kings of Kamarupa

 After Tyagsingha, the officers choose Brahmapala to the throne, thus establishing the
Pala dynasty.

 The title ‘Pala’ is an abbreviation of the Sanskrit term Palaka, which means protector,
I.e. a ruler or administrator.
 Succeeded by Ratnapala – his son and a powerful king. He shifted the capital city of his
kingdom of Pragjyotishpur, strongly fortified it and named it as Durjaya or Sri Durjaya.
 Ratnapala’s son died at an early age and succeeded by his grandson Indrapala.
 Indrapala (1040-1065) defeated Kalyanachandra ( in North Bengal)
 The copper plates of Bargaon and Sualkuchi confirms the reign of Ratnapala. In the land
grant of his grandson Indrapala, he is described as the mighty crusher of his enemies. He
took up the imperial title Parameswara ParambhattarakaMaharajadhiraja.
 Jayapala was the last ruler of this dynasty.
 The three copper plate grants of Dharmapala (Khonamukhi, Subhankarapataka and
Pushpadhara) confirms that the boundary of his kingdom was pushed to the west of
Karatoya.
 During Jayapala’s reign, Kamrupa was attacked by the Palas of Bengal.
 The Bengal king victorious placed Tishyadeva as his feudal king in the part and Pala
dynasty came to an end. The feudal king Tingyadeva rebelled, the Pala king Kumar Pal
sent Vaidyadeva.
 Vaidyadeva conquered Kamarupa and declared his independence in 1138 AD. He
assumed the title Maharahadhiraja Parameswara Paramabhattaraka.
 Later Vaidyadeva was killed in the hands of Rayarideva who established himself as an
independent king of Kamrupa. He was succeeded by Udayakarna and Vallabhadeva.
 Vallabhadeva was defeated by Lakshmanasena from Bengal.
 Vallabhadeva succeeded by his son Viswasundardeva. He recovered his kingdom and
established his independent status. Viswasundardeva was also popularly known as Prithu
or Barthu.
 During his reign, Muhammad-bin- Bakhtiyar attacked Kamrupa but was defeated.
 Prithu also resisted the attack by Sultan Ghiyasuddin- Iwas Khilji.
 Prithu was finally defeated in the hands of Nasiruddin.

Previous Years’ Questions - APSC

1. Hiuen Tsang visited Assam (Kamarupa) in 640 CE. He was received by the king (2017)

a) Bhagadatta
b) Kumar Bhaskara Barman
c) Swargadeo Rudra Singha
d) Kumar Rudra Barman

2. Hayungthal Copper Plate was issued by (2018)

a) Bhaskar Varman
b) Susthita Varman
c) Banamala Varman
d) Hajara Varman
3. Who was the founder of Pala Dynasty? (2018)
a) Brahmapala
b) Viradutta
c) Indrapala
d) Dharmapala

CHAPTER 2

MEDIEVAL HISTORY OF ASSAM (13TH- 15TH CENTURIES)

 Muhammad Bakthiyar Khilji was a military general of the Delhi Sultanate founder
Qutb-ud-din Aibak.
 In 1205 AD, he attacked Kamrupa during the reign of Prithu. Prithu defeated the entire
army. This is recorded in Kanai Barasi Bowa inscription. (1st invasion)
 Minhajuddin also provided a brief account of this invasion in his book Tabaqat-I-
Nasiri.
 In 1227 AD Sultan Ghiyasuddin- Iwas Khilji invaded Kamrupa. Defeated by Prithu. (2nd
invasion)
 Prithu was defeated in the hands of Nasiruddin, the son of Iltutmish in 1228 AD.
 The third invasion was led by Ikhtiyaruddin Yuzbeg Tughril Khan in 1256-57 AD. He
was successful and erected a mosque.
 Later Sandhya defeated Tughril Khan taking advantage of Monsoon period of Assam.
 Thereafter, Sandhya shifted his capital to Kamalpur in Koch Bihar and assumed the title
Kamateswara. After that Assam came to be known as Kamata or Kamrup- Kamata.
 Sighadhwaja was the last king and after him his minister Pratapdhvaja or Manik Chandra
occupied the throne.
 After Pratapdhvaja, Dharmanarayan occupied the throne, shifted his capital to Dimla
in Rangpur and took the title Gaudeswara.
 Later he was challenged by Durlabhnarayan and Kamata Kingdom got divided.
Durlabhnarayan took North and East part including Kamatapur.
 Durlabhnarayan was a great patron of learning. His court was adorned by Harihar Bipra,
Kaviratna Saraswati and Hem Saraswati.
 Succeeded by his son Indranarayan (1350-1365 AD) who assumed the title ‘Pancha
Gaudeswara’.
 Ahom king Sudangpha invaded the Kamata Kingdom, Mriganka was the last king of
the Kamrup Kamata kingdom.
Khen Dynasty
 After Mriganka, the throne was occupied by Niladhvaj Khan(1440-1460 AD). He
assumed the title Kamateswar and rebuilt the city of Kamatapur. This came to be known
as Khan or Khen dynasty.
 It had 3 kings namely, Niladhwaj, Chakradhwaj and Nilambar.
 Nilambar the most powerful was overthrown by Hussain Shah in 1498 AD who took
away the capital Kamtapur from him.

Previous Years’ Questions -APSC

1. Ibn Battuta, the celebrated traveller visited Assam in the (2000)
a) 13th century
b) 14th century
c) 15th century
d) 10th century

CHAPTER 4
MAJOR DYNASTIES [EXCLUDING THE AHOMS]
Bhuyans of Medieval Assam
 Bhuyans were pretty chiefs held a vast territory towards the west of the Kacharis on the
South bank and West of the Chutiyas on the north bank of Brahmaputra.
 The term “Bhuyan” has nothing to do with caste. It meant the lord of the
land/zamindars. It is believed that the word Bhuyan thus originated from the term
“Bhauma”(land).
 According to Guru Charita and Sankar Charita after the war between Kamateswara
Durlavnarayan and Gaudeswara Dharmanarayan has executed a treaty.
 According to the treaty, Dharmanarayan sent 7 families of Brahmins and 7 families of
Kayasthas to Durlavnarayan, who settled them on the frontier as wardens. Chandibar,
the forefather of Srimanta Sankardeva blater became their leader( Siromani).
 Chandibar finally settled at Bardowa in Nagoan where his great grandson Sankardev
was born.
 These Bhuyans are remembered in legends as Baro- Bhuyans(12) as they stood together
united against any common enemy.
 Chutiya Kingdom
 The Chutiya Kingdom was the largest kingdom in Assam after the fall of Kamrupa and
before the rise of Ahom Kingdom.
 Founder- Birpal (1187 AD). He claimed himself to be a descent from the legendary
Bhishmaka.
 Birpal’s son Gaurinarayan (Ratnadhwajpal) was the most powerful king. He defeated
many other Chutiya groups and attached the territories into the kingdom.
 He built his capital at Ratnapur (Majuli).
 Ratnadhwajpal made alliance with Gaudaraj Biswarup Sen and sent his son to Gauda for
education who ultimately met with death.
 The place where the dead body (Sa/So) of his son is received and cremated later came to
be known as “Sa Diya”.
 According to mythology, this place was known as Bidarva and the capital was Kundil
Nagar.
 After Ratnadhwajpal, 9 Chutiya Kings ruled according to Deodhai Assam Buranji.

Ahom - Chutiya Conflicts

 During the reign of Ahom king Sutupha, the conflict between Chutiya and Ahom
started.
 In 1376, Sutupha was killed by the Chutiya king during a friendly encounter.
 To take revenge later, Ahom King Tao-Khamti invaded and occupied the Chutiya
Kingdom.
 However, Tao- Khamti abandoned the mission in between and Chutiyas re-occupied the
territory.
 In 1513, Dhirnarayan or Dharmadhajpal attacked Ahom kingdom during the reign of
Suhungmung but got defeated.
 In 1520, the Chutiyas invaded Ahom territory twice. They were successful in defeating
the Ahom in the battle at Dihing.
 Dhirnarayan’s daughter Sadhani is married by Nitai who did not belong to the royal
family.
 After Dhirnarayan, Nitai occupied the throne and took the name Nitipal.
 Due to incapable rulership of Nitipal, a number of internal disturbances gradually
weakened the kingdom.
 Taking advantage of the weakening Chutiya kingdom, Suhungmung conquered Sadiya
in 1524 and Nitipal was killed. His wife Sati Sadhani preferred death to dishonour and
committed suicide from the top of Chandragiri Hills near Sadiya.
 In respect of her sacrifice, every year 21st April is commemorated as Sati Sadhani
Divas.
 Suhungmung appointed a frontier called Sadiyakhowa Gohain to look after the annexed
territory.
 The Ahom Chutiya conflicts continued till 1673 when the Chutiyas were finally absorbed
into the Ahom Kingdom.
Kachari Kingdom
 Kacharis were ancient inhabitants of Assam.
 Kacharis belong to be broadly constituted Bodo group of Tibeto- Burman races. They
were also called Kirat in ancient texts like Ramayana, Mahabharata and others.
 Mythological Source: The Kacharis belonged to the Dimasa Bodo group and called
themselves descendants of Ghatotkacha the son of Pandava Prince Bhima.
 They ruled from their capital at Hidimbapur(Dimapur)
 Maha Manikya was a famous king of the Barahi Kacharis and they ruled about the
middle of the 14th century at Dimapur.
 During the reign of Maha- Manikya- a Barahi king, Sri Madhab Kandali composed the
Assamese version of the Ramayana.
Kachari-Ahom Conflicts
 In 13th century, before the rise of Ahom kingdom the Kachari kingdom was extended
from Dikhou River in the east upto the Kolong river in the West.
 Suteupha, son of Syu Ka Pha occupied same territory of Kachari kingdom to the East of
Dikhou river.
 In 1490 AD, Ahom king Suhanpha attacked Kachari kingdom but got defeated and
Kacharis re- occupied their lost territory.
 Following that, Ahom king Suhungmung attacked Kachari kingdom to take revenge.
 Ahom army was led by Konseng Barpatra Gohain who occupied a large territory under
Kacharis and pushed the boundary upto Dhansiri river.
Dihing (in Sibsagar) ----- Dhansiri river( Golaghat)
 In 1526, Kacharis attacked Ahom kingdom but that attempt failed.
 Ahoms occupied Kachari capital Dimapur and placed one ‘Detsung’ as a feudal king.
 Later Detsung revolted and in 1536 AD, Ahoms again invaded Kachari kingdom and
Detsung was slained or killed.
 Ahom King Suhungmung choose Madan Konwar, son of Detsung to the throne. He took
the name Nirbhayanarayan.
 Suhungmung annexed the entire territory into Ahom kingdom and appointed an
administrator “Morongikhowa Gohain”.
 The Kacharis were driven out and they established a new capital in Maibong( present
day Dimahasasu)
 Nirbhayanarayan was succeeded by Durlabhnarayan and Meghnarayan.
 In 1562 AD, Koch Army commander Chilarai invaded Ahom kingdom and subsequently
Kachari kingdom.
 Durlabhnarayan was defeated and became a feudal king of Koch Kingdom.
 In 1568 AD, following the defeat of Chilarai at the hands of Sultan Sulaiman,
Durlabhnarayan declared Independence.
 After Durlabhnarayan’s reign upto the beginning of 17th century no reliable information
has been found regarding Kacharis.
Kacharis after 17th Century
 In the beginning of 17th century, Kachari king Jasnarayan became powerful.
 He defeated Jayantia king Dhanmanik and annexed his territory and also married 2
Jayantia princesses.
 In 1606 AD during the reign of Ahom king Pratap Singha, again a battle was fought
between Ahom and Kacharis. Although in the initial phase, Kacharis got defeated later
they won.
 During the battle, Ahom king (Pratap Singha) established several new villages in the
Ahom Kachari border, which later came to be known as “Na- Goan”.
 Following the victory, Jashnarayan took the name Pratapnarayan.
 He was succeeded by his son Naranarayan and brother Bhimbalnarayan.
 Bhimbalnarayan was a powerful king and he later made alliance with Pratap Singha.
 Till his death in 1637AD, there were no major conflicts between Kacharis and Ahoms.
 In the middle of the 18th century, the last king Gobinda Chandra died without any heir
and therefore the British annexed the Kachari Kingdom under the Doctrine of Lapse.
 At the time of British annexation, the kingdom consisted of parts of Nagoan and karbi
Anglong, North Cachar, Cachar and some frontier of Manipur.
Koch Kingdom
 In 1498 AD, Allauddin Hussain Shah invaded Kamrup- Kamrup kingdom. At this time
Nilambar last Khen was the ruler. He fled and escaped his territory following the attack
and then Allauddin Hussain Shah placed his son Daniel as its ruler of Kamrup Kamata.
 The Bhuyan chiefs combined against the common foe, attacked Daniel’s garrison at Hajo
and destroyed it. Thereafter, for about a decade or more, there was not a common king
for Kamatapur.
 In 1515 AD, Bisu the son of Haria Mandal through his courage took the advantage of
strifes amongst small Bhuyan principalities and became king under the name Viswa
Singha.
 Viswa Singha defeated the Bhuyans, and the entire state from Karotaya in the West
to Barnadi in the East had become the boundary of the Koch kingdom.
 This is how Viswa Singha established his capital in Koch- Bihar (present day West
Bengal)
 He embraced and patronised Hinduism. He brought numerous Brahmins to Koch
kingdom from Kanauj, Benaras and other places.
 He took a census of his subjects.
 His sons include Malla Deb, Shukladhaj, Nar Singha and Gohain Kamal.
 Viswa Singha died in 1540 after a reign of 25 years. At that time Malla Dev and
Shukladhaj were at Banaras for learning and the throne was occupied by Nar Singha.
 But he soon defeated him, Malla Deb ascended the throne and assumed the name of Nara
Narayan.
 His brother Shukladhaj became the chief commander of Koch army and met with almost
unvarying success. He displayed such promptness of action that he was nick name
“Chirai” [kite-king].
 Chilarai and Naranarayan engaged in war with Ahoms during the reign of Suklengmung
where the later was defeated.
 In course of these invasions the Koch king constructed an embankment road from Koch
capital at Koch Bihar to Narayanpur under the supervision of Gohain Kamal, the kings
brother and was known as “Gohain Kamal Ali”.(350 miles )
 During the reign of Naranarayan, Koch Kingdom was at its zenith.
Gauda Attack
 In 1565 AD, Chilarai made an attack on Gauda. But Gauda army commander Kala
Pahar defeated him and ascended upto Tezpur and demolished several Hindu temples.
Chilarai was held captive.
 Naranarayan however did not accept this defeat as final.
 Few years later in 1583 AD, he joined with the Emperor Akbar in second attack upon the
Badshah of Gaud and Gauda was divided between the Emperor of Delhi and the Koch
king. During this attack Chilarai died of pox.
 Numerous manuscripts contain accounts of Koch kingdom. Most detailed account was
found in the Darrang Raj Banasabali.
 During the reign of Naranarayan, British traveler Ralph Fitch visited Kochbihar in
1536 AD. He has written a brief account of Kochbihar.
 Naranarayan patronized Eksarna Dharma of Srimanta Sankardev and also wanted to
be a disciple but the later denied.
 Naranarayan was a great patron of learning and patronized several scholars and authors.
During his rule, Ram Saraswati translated Mahabharata into Assamese.
 Purusottama Vidyavagish authored a grammar Ratnamala in Sanskrit, Ananta
Kandali translated Bhagavata(Purana) and some other noble ancient text into assamese.
 Naranarayan has restored the famous temple at Kamakhya which had been damaged by
the Muhammaden invader KalaPahar in 1565 AD.
 He introduced gold and silver coins called Narayani Mudra.
 Naranarayan made Kochbihar a center of excellence of Art and culture.
Decline of Koch Kingdom
 For a long time, Naranarayan had no male child and hence Chilarai’s son Raghudev was
regarded as his heir.
 But in his later age he begot a son named Lakshmi Narayan.
 After losing hope of succeeding to the throne, Raghudev withdrew from the capital to
Barnagar and rebelled.
 Naranarayan tried to compel Raghudev but failed.
 He resolved to divide the kingdom. The possession of Koch territory from Sankosh River
to Barnadi was given to Raghudev as a tributary king which came to be known as Koch
Hajo.
 Naranarayan kept the western part of the Koch kingdom for himself.( later ascended by
his son )
Jayantia Kingodm

 Jayantia were ancient and original inhabitants of North East India.

 Matrimonial race who had founded their kingdom in and around Jaintia Hills.
 As per Chronicles, Parbat Ray was said to be the first king of Jaintia.
 Koch commander Chilarai invaded Jaintia kingdom in 1653.
 Rajendra Singha was the last Jaintia King and in 1835 AD, British annexed the territory
of Jaintias.

Previous Years’ Questions -APSC

1. The illustration work of the medieval Assamese text Hastividyarnava was done by
(2000)

a) Suryakhan Daikegya

b) Dilbar and Dosai

c) Sukumar Barkaith

d) Ram Saraswati

2. Gohain Kamal Ali constructed by Gohain Kamal from Koch Bihar to Natayanpur was
constructed during the reign of (2000)

a) Nara Narayan

b) Parkshit Narayan

c) Biswa Singha.

d) Raghu Dev

3. Rang Ghar was constructed during the period of (2000)

a) Rudra Singha

b) Siva Singha

c) Rajeswar Singha

d) Pramatta Singha
 4. The Kachari king to assume the title Pratap Narayan after defeating the Ahom was(2001)

a) Indra Narayan

b) Jash Narayan

c) Nirbhya Narayan

d) Durlabh Narayan

5.Who among the following did not receive the patronage of Koch King Naranarayan?(2001)

a) Ram Saraswati

b) Ananta Kandali

c) Sankardev

d) Madhav Kandali

6. Fatiyah-i-Ibryah was written by(2001)

a) Alberuni

b) Azan Fakir

c) Mir Jhumla

d) Shihabuddin Talish

7. Who among the following is the first Assamese translator of Ramayana? (2015)

a) Sankardeva

b) Madhab Kandali

c) Ananta Kandali

d) Ram Saraswati

The Ahoms
The Ahoms belong to the Tai Mao section of the Tai-race which is native to South-East Asia.

 As per Ahom Chronicles or Buranji, the Ahoms were led by Prince (Chao- lung)
Sukapha. He left Mao-Lung (native place of Sukapha) in 1215 AD with his followers
including several nobles, officers of various ranks, thousands of men, women and
children.
 Ahoms led by Sukapha crossed the Patkai in 1228 AD and set up their first territory
unit at Khamjang Valley (Nagaland). Some Nagas attempted to resist Sukapha. But he
defeated them and perpetuated atrocities to Nagas.
 Following this, all other Nagas in the neighbourhood made submission to Sukapha.
 After reaching the Brahmaputra valley, Sukapha and his followers moved from one place
to another in search of a better place particularly suitable for rice cultivation. They stayed
in several places like Namrup, Dihing, Tipam, Habung and Ligirigoan and Simaluguri.
 On the way Sukapha has organised several other territorial units along the bank of rivers
Dihing and Dikhow.
 Sukapha finally established the capital at Charaideo in 1253 AD.
 This is how Sukapha founded a small Ahom kngdom in 1228 AD bounded by
Patkai Hills and Naga Hills(South),
Burhi- Dihing (East),
Brahmaputra(North) and
Dikhow(West).
 Sukapha was an enterprising and brave Prince. With judicious treatment he won over the
chiefs of Morans and the Borahis and encouraged intermarriage with them and
appointed some of them in various capacities.
 However Sukapha was criticised for his atrocities on the Nagas.
 Sukapha appointed 2 great officiers of the state- the Bor Gohain and the Burha
Gohain.
 They exercised power next to the king.
 After a rule of 40 years, Sukapha died on 1268 AD.

Early Ahom Kingdom

 Sukapha was succeeded by his son Suteupha—Subinpha—Sukhangpha etc.
 During the reign of the 4th king Sukhangpha, the Ahoms engaged in a war with the ruler
of Kamata Kingdom. Eventually the Kamata ruler made a peace treaty by offering a
princes named Rajani.
 Sukhrangpha died in 1364 AD. As he did not have a child or heir to his throne, after his
death the nobles ruled for few years upto 1369 AD.
 In 1369AD, the nobles chose Sutupha(king’s brother) to the throne. Sutupha got killed in
a friendly encounter with the Chutia King.
 Succeeded by Tao- Khamti. He led a successful expedition against the Chutiya King to
take revenge of the murder of his brother Sutupha.
 He was succeeded by Sudangpha. He was known as Bamuni Konwar for his birth in the
house of a Brahmin at Habung.
 Sudangpha’s reign is important in several aspects. The Ahom capital was shifted to
Charagua.
 In his reign Brahmanical influence had its entry into the Ahom Royal Palace. Some
nobles were dissatisfied at his subordination to Hindu influence and they reported it to
the Tai ruler of Mong Kwang.
 Following this, the Tai ruler sent an expedition to annex the Ahom Kingdom.
 But Sudangpha successfully resisted the attack and made a treaty. By this treaty the
Patkai was fixed as the boundary between Assam and Mong.
 The reigns of successive kings Sujinpha (1407-22) Suphakpha(1439-1488) and Susenpha
(1493-1497) covering a period of 90 years were comparatively peaceful.
 However, a brief war with the Dimasa Kacharis was fought in 1490 AD. The bordering
Nagas who made some raids were also kept in check.
 So from 13th- 15th century, Ahoms were busy in consolidating their newly acquired
territory and protecting it from neighbouring powers.

Expansion of Ahom Kingdom

 The real expansion of Ahom Kingdom began with the reign of Suhungmung.
 He ascended to the throne in 1497 AD. He was better known as Dihingiya Raja as he
belongs to the Dihingya phoid(clan) of the royal family.
 During his reign the Brahmanical influence grew considerably in the Ahom court. He has
adopted the Hindu title Swarganarayan.
 He transferred his capital to Chargua on the bank of Dihing river.
 During his reign a census of population was done.
 In 1524 AD, taking the advantage of weakening Chutiya kingdom, Suhungmung
conquered Sadiya. The Chutiya king Nitipal was killed. Suhungmung annexed Chutiya
territory to the Ahom kingdom and placed frontier officer titled Sadiya Khowa Gohain
to administer it.
 In 1527 AD, Muslim army led by Bar Ujir and Bit Manik attacked Ahom Kingdom. But
they were defeated and Bit Manik was killed. It was the first Muslim invasion to Ahom
kingdom.
 Later another commander Turbuk ascended upto Singri with a huge force. In that battle,
the Ahom side got defeated and lost several of their general including Frachengmung
Burhagohain and huge number of soldiers, Prince Suklengmung was also got severly
wounded.
 However in 1533 AD in a renewed war the Ahoms defeated them in Duimunisila and
Turbuk was killed.
 To take revenge of the death of Frachengmung , his wife Mulagabhoru bravely fought
against Turbuk with exemplary bravery and perseverance and caused major damage to
the enemy side and finally laid her life. Her death inspired the Ahom soldiers.
 A large number of arms, cannons,horses and soldiers were captured by the Ahoms. The
captured soldier later settled in Ahom kingdom and came to be known as Moriyas. They
were engaged in brass metal works.
 Suhungmung also defeated the kacharis of the Dayang- Dhansiri valley and Kachari
royal family moved to Maibong leaving Dimapur. He brought the Kachari territory under
the Ahoms at a province called Marangi and placed an officer titled Marangi khowa
Gohain to administer it.
 He also brought under control the Bhuyans on the North Bank.
 The Ahom army marched westward as far as the Karatoya and thus by 1534 AD the
Ahom army liberated Kamrup and kamata King.
 Thus Suhungmung extended the Ahom dominion from Sadiya in the east to the
Karatoya river in the West.
 Suhungmung established relation with Gauda and Gauda king offered 2 of his daughters
to Ahom king. Koch king Viswa Singha have also offered presents to Suhungmung.
 After an eventful reign of 42years, Suhungmung died in 1539AD.
 He was succeeded by his son Suklengmung. He was commonly known as Garhgayan
Raja as he shifted his capital to Garhgoan.
 During his reign there was a series of conflicts between Ahoms and Koch. Initially the
Koch army led by Chilarai defeated the Ahoms.
 But later Suklengmung defeated the Koch army.
 During his reign Garhgoan tank was excavated and Naga Ali was built. He was the first
Ahom king to strike coins.
 He died in 1552 AD.
 Suklengmung was succeeded by Sukhampha. He was known as Khora or Lame. He
injured his foot while going out for hunting.
 A plot was formed against him soon after his accession to the throne. They were caught
but pardoned. But they rebelled again and this time they were put to death.
 In 1662AD Chilarai attacked Ahom kingdom and occupied Garhgoan( the capital) and
the king fled. That is why Sukhampha was also known as Bhogoniya Raja. However,
the Koch army soon returned after a peace treaty.
 Several earthquakes and epidemics occurred in his reign.

The Period of Ahom-Mughal Conflict

 The history of the Ahoms during the 17th century was mainly about the Ahom- Mughal
conflict. The conflicts occurred between the Governor of Bengal under Mughal Empire
and Ahom king.
 The Mughal emperors at that period were Jahangir(1605-1627), Shah Jahan(1627-1658)
and Aurangzeb (1658-1707) [NOTE: During Aurangzeb’s period the famous Battle
of Saraighat]
 The imperial ambition of the Mughal emperors to extend their dominions to further
EAST beyond Bengal and to seek routes to CHINA and TIBET stimulated the series of
Mughal invasions to Ahom Kingdom.
 Susengpha succeeded his father Sukhampha. He had been known by various names:
Bura Raja (aged), Budhhi Swarga Narayana (wise), Pratap Singha (because of his
great deeds during his reign).
 In 1608 AD, Pratap Singha married Magaladahi- daughter of Koch ruler Parikshit( son
of Raghu Dev).
 In 1615 AD, Balinarayan was defeated by Mughals and he fled to Ahom kingdom and
Pratap Singha cordially received him.
 The Mughal claim on the Koch territory to the east of Barnadi and the trading adventures
of Mughal merchants has initiated the Ahom-Mughal conflicts.
 In 1616 AD, during Pratap Singha’s reign, a Muslim trader was killed in Kaliabor on
suspicion of being a spy.
 Following this, to take revenge Sheikh Kasim—the governor of Bengal sent an
expedition to Ahom Kingdom led by Sayed Hakim and Syed Abu Bakkar and Chatrajit.
 The Ahom army resisted the Mughal army in Bharali but got defeated.
 Later Ahom army made a surprise night attack on the Mughal army both on kand and
water and defeated them and many commanders and soldiers were captured and put to
death.
 A vivid description of the plight of the Mughal soldiers is given in the
Baharistan-i-Ghayil by Mirza Nathan- a Mughal general.
 At this victory, Pratap Singha performed the Rikkhvan ceremony.
 It was followed by a series of campaigns against the Mughals. In 1618 AD, there was
another serious battle at Hajo in which the Ahoms lost nearly 4000 boats and an equal
number of men were killed. The Ahom soldiers retreated.
 During his reign, war between Ahoms and Mughals reached his zenith. As a result of the
decline and division of the Koch Kingdom in the 17th century, the Ahom kingdom was
brought in direct line of confrontation with the Mughals.
 During his reign, the Ahom- Mughal conflict continued for over three decades at a
stretch without any conflict.
 At that time Langi Panisiya, has been able to restore order among fugitive Ahom
soldiers and Pratap Singha rewarded him by offering the newly created post of
Barphukan.
 Barphukan was placed in charge of lower Assam west of Kaliabor and also head of
diplomatic relations with the West.
 Pratap Singha also created another important post Barbarua. He was placed as the head
of the secretariat and Judiciary immediately under the king. Mumai Tamuli was the first
Barbarua of Ahom kingdom. He was the father of Lachit Barphukan.
 Frequent wars were happening- ultimately peace wa restored by a treaty concluded by
Momai Tamuli Barbarua and Allah Yar Khan in 1639 AD. By that treaty, the Barnadi on
the North and the Asurar ali on the South were fixed as the boundary between the Ahoms
and Mughal territories.
 Pratap Singha introduced the Paik system in Ahom kingdom.
Previous Years’ Questions - APSC
1. The 1st Ahom King to assume the Hindu title Swarganarayan was(2000)
a) Siva Singha
b) Pratap Singha
c) Jayadhvaj Singha
d) Suhungmung
2. The title of overall administration head of lower Assam Region during the Ahom rule
was (2000, 2013)
a) Barphukan
b) Rajkhowa
c) Barpatra Gohain
d) Khongea Barua
3. Sadiya Khowa Gohain was a (2000, 2013)
a) Zamindar
b) King
c) Frontier Officer
4. The office of the Barbarua and Barphukan is created by(2001)
a) Sudangpha
b) Suhungmung Dihingiya Raja
c) Pratap Singha
d) Jayadhavaj Singha

MAINS QUESTION:

1. Who was known as Bamuni Konwar? (2016)

2. Discuss the Paik and Khel system of Ahom administration. Can this be considered
as the foundation ground for the modern Panchayat System?(2014)

Momai Tamuli Barbarua

 He was the first Barbarua under Pratap Singha’s reign.
 His sons- Lachit Barphukan, Laluksola Borphukan, Baduli Phukan and daughter Pakhori
Gabhoru.
 Momai Tamuli was Susengpha’s uncle and therefore his daughter Pakhori Gabhoru
was married to King Jayadhvaj Singha.
 Jayadhvaj Singha and Pakhori Gabhoru’s daughter Ramani Gabhoru was married to
Muhammad Azam Shah (son of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb)
 Momai Tamuli Barbarua was responsible for designing the Paik system.
Rulers after Pratap Singha
 The rulers after Pratap Singha did not have any significant events associated to their
years of rule. Successors were Surampha- Sutingpha- Sutamla etc.
 Sutingpha suffered from poor health conditions from a very initial years of his birth
and therefore he was nicknamed as Nariya Raja( Nariya in Assamese means sick). He
too had a curved spine and got the name “Kekora” or crab.
 Due to ill health he was succeded by Sutamla.

Sutamla
 Like his forefathers he assumed the HINDU(Brahminical) name Jayadhvaj Singha.
 Soon after his accession, several conspiracies were made against Jayadhwaj Singha. But
all were repressed and conspirators were put to death.
 In 1650 AD, he sent an expedition to control the Nagas. This followed a series of
conflicts and eventually after few years the Naga chief made submission to Jayadhwaj
Singha.
 In 1655AD, Miris killed 2 Ahom subjects. After that an expedition was sent against the
Miris and thye were defeated. The Miris agreed to pay tribute to Jayadhwaj Singha.
 During this time, Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan fell sick and following this, Koch ruler
Pran Narayan threw off the Mughal allegiance.
 After few years as a retaliatory action, Mir Jhumla- the newly appointed Nawab of
Bengal led a huge force to invade Ahom kingdom in 1662 AD.
 Mir Jhumla was accompanied by Rashid Khan.
 With a huge force, Mir Jhumla and his army overrunned the defences put up at
Hatichala- Baritala and Jagighopa fort and occupied Guwahati.
 After the occupation of the fort at Simalugarh and Samdhara, the Mughal army had a
naval victory near Kaliabor on the river Brahmaputra.
 The Mughal army advanced towards the Ahom capital Garhgoan and Jayadhwaj Singha
with his family and close associates evacuated the capital and fled to Namrup. Hence
Jayadhwaj Singha was nicknamed as “Bhaganiya Raja”.
 Then Mir Jhumla occupied Garhgoan on March 17, 1662 and established outpost at
several places in Upper Assam.(Sibsagar)
 However when the rainy season started, these outposts had been cut off by flood and
became isolated. The Ahom army also started harassing by guerrilla method of warfare.
Jayadhwaj Singha also returned from Namrup.
 The Mughal army was placed under great hardship and finally they agreed to peace
treaty proposed by the Ahom side.
 Thus on January 9, 1663 AD the Treaty of Ghiladharighat was drawn up between Mir
Jhumla and Jayadhwaj Singha.
 Large territories captured during Pratap Singha’s time were lost to the Mughal empire.

Terms and Conditions of the Treaty

 Jayadhwaj became a tributary of the Mughal Emperor and he agreed to pay a huge
compensation—several thousand tolas of Gold and silver and large number of elephants.
 The boundary between Mughal and the Ahoms were fixed between the Bharali River in
the North Bank of Brahmaputra River and Kolong on the South bank of the
Brahmaputra.
 Jayadhwaj Singha’s daughter Ramani Gabhoru was sent to Delhi.
 The sons of ministers were sent as hostage with the Mughals till full payment was made.
 Lastly, all prisoners must be released.
 Soon after the treaty, Mir Jhumla and his army initiated return journey and he passed
away on 30th March 1663 AD during the return journey.
 Mir Jhumla was the first Mughal commander to occupy Ahom capital.
 Mir Jhumla was accompanied by a reporter named Shiyabuddin Talish who wrote
Fatiyah-i-Ibriyah where a valuable account of Assam –its climate, population, products
etc was mentioned.
Reign of Jayadhwaj Singha
 After Mir Jhumla’s return, Jayadhwaj Singha returned to Bokota as Garhgoan was
ravished by the Mughals.
 He was the first Ahom king to embrace Hinduism by receiving initiation from a
Vaishnava priest. He made large revenue free land grants with paiks to several Satras.
 One of the notable achievements of Jayadhwaj Singha’s reign was the planned settlement
of villages in certain tracts of the country.
 Jayadhwaj Singha passed away in 1663 AD.

Reign of Chakradhwaj Singha

 Jayadhwaj Singha was succeeded by Chakradhwaj Singha. His Ahom name was
Supangmung.
 Soon after he ascended the throne 2 Mughals officials visited with the reminder that the
balance of war compensation( Treaty of Ghiladharighat) was overdue and presented
him a gown( siropa) sent by Mughal court to him as a tributary king.
 Chakradhwaj Singha was a person of indomitable courage and he refused to wear the
gown. He said “Death is preferable to a state of subordination to Bengal he uttered.”
 In 1667 AD, Mughal administrator of Guwahati Said Firos Khan sent a strong worded
letter to Chakradhwaj Singha demanding the outstanding indemnity.
 However, Chakradhwaj decided to fight against the Mughals and he entrusted the
Command to the great warrior Lachit Barphukan.
 Next to Lachit Barphukan the Ahom army took charge with other generals including
Rajmantri Aton Burhagohain Dangoriya.
 They first occupied the Mughals outpost at Kajali and Bansari and captured prisoners,
horses, cannons were sent back to Garhgoan.
 Soon Guwahati and Pandu was captured by Ahom army, Guwahati was made the head
quarters of BarPhukan and both the places were strongly fortified.
 An inscription in Assamese was recorded regarding this victory in Kanai Barasi Bowa.
 The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb despatched a Rajput general named Ram Singha with
a huge force to invade Ahom kingdom.
 Following this, Ahom erected some more fortifications. Due to the negligence in erecting
a fort on the bank of Brahmaputra Lachit Barphukan beheaded his uncle. [“Dekhot koi
mumai danger nhoi”]
The remains of this fortification is called “Momai-Kota Garh”.
In the engagement in Tezpur Ahoms got defeated.
However later in a naval war Ahoms defeated Mughals and Mughal army retreated to
Hajo.
At this juncture, Ram Singha invited Chakradhwaj Singha for a single combat but he
declined and ordered Lachit Barphukan for a renewed attack.
The war dragged on for years with loss on both sides,so Ram Singha offered a peace
treaty.
 In 1670AD Chakradhwaj Singha passed away and he was succeeded by his brother
(Maju Gohain)- Udayaditya Singha. [Ahom name- Sunyatpha]
 However the Ahoms defeated the Mughals in the famous Battle of Saraighat [April
1671].
 This defeat initiated the boundary between Ahoms and the Mughals which remained till
the British occupation into Assam in the year 1826.
Goalpara in the South
Manas on the North
 Lachit Barphukan died after the victory in the Battle of Saraighat.
 His remains lie in rest at Lachit Maidam constructed in 1672AD by Udayaditya Singha at
Holongapar, Jorhat.
 On 24th November each year Lachit Divas is celebrated in Assam as a state holiday to
commemorate the heroism of Lachit Barphukan.

Previous Years’ Questions -APSC

1. In the Battle of Saraighat next to Lachit Barphukan who was in leadership (2000)
a) Koliabhumura Barphukan
b) Miri Sandiloi
c) Rajmantri Atan Burhagohain
d) Manthir Bharali Barua
2. The king nicknamed as Bhagoniya raja was (2000)
a) Sutamla
b) Sunyatpha
c) Surampha
d) Sutiyampha
3. Maidams are (2000)
a) Elaborate burial tanks of Ahom nobility and kings
b) Large fields
c) Temples
d) Enclosure for sporting activities
4. The founder of the Ahom kingdom, Chaolung Sukapha ruled Assam from 1228 to 1268.
After his death, who succeeded him? (2020)
a) Suteupha
b) Subinpha
c) Sukhaangpha
d) Sutupha
5. Choa Suhungmung was the first Ahom king to adopt a Hindu title, indicating a move
towards an inclusive polity. Which Hindu name did he take?(2020)

a) Swarganarayan

b) Durlavnarayana

c) Udayaditya Singha

d) Jayadhwaj Singha
6. The brave Assamese lady warrior Mula Gabharu died fighting against (2020)

a) Mir Jhumla

b) Detchung

c) Turbak Khan

d) Mirza Nathan

7. The best passing out cadet of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla (Pune) is
conferred the (2020)

a) Chatrapati Shivaji Gold Medal

b) Lachit Barphukan Gold Medal

c) Rani Laxmibai Gold Medal

d) President’s Gold Medal

Period of Unstable Ahom Kingdom

 After Udayaditya Singha, who was poisoned to death in August 1673 AD, the nobles
choose Ramdhwaj Singha(Suklampha)to the throne. He was Udayaditya’s brother.
 His reign was full of power clashes between high officials in his kingdom. For instance,
the Barbarua during his reign was Debera who caused the king to be poisoned and
killed him in March 1675. (Infact Debera was responsible for the death of 3 kings viz;
Suklampha, Suhung and Gobar Raja)
 Nodoubt Ramdhawaj Singha was followed by Suhung, Gobar Roja, Sujinpha and
Sudaipha but it was a period of weak and unstable Ahom kingdom. Thus, several weak
and young kings were placed on the throne and then quickly removed by ministers and
high officials for their own selfish gains.
 Debera was ultimately killed by Aton Burhagohain. It was under his leadership that
many revolts were subsumed. Infact Aton Burhagohain got the opportunity to nominate
kings to the throne.
 For instance, he nominated Sudaipha who took the Hindu title “Parvatia Raja” as
he resided at Charaideo Hills (parvat).
 These events provided immense power to Aton Burhagohain. He was almost virtually
controlling the state and this aspect was not liked by his officials.
 Uniting the officials who were not happy with Sudaipha’s reign, Laluksola Barphukan
killed the king.
 By taking advantage of the situation, Laluksola Barphukan handed Guwahati to the
Mughals. Many Ahom high officials were dissatisfied with Sudaipha and therefore
allied with Laluksola Barphukan.
 In 1679 AD, Sudaipha was killed and Sulikpha was choosen to the throne.

Sulikpha/Lora Raja/Ratnadhvaj Singha

 In 1679 AD, Sulikpha was choosed at a very early age to the throne.
 Soon Laluksola Barphukan became greedy and ambitious and started misusing his
power in every affairs of the state.He instigated Sulikpha to provide death penalty to
several Ahom Kuwors(princes).
 He maimed or killed any possible contender to the throne. However he couldnot kill
Godapani.

Godapani/Gadadhar Singha’s Reign (Supatpha)

 Godapani was from the Tungkhungiya Phoid(clan) who was the most capable prince to
take over as a king.
 Due to Sulikpha’s atrocities, he fled from Ahom Kingdom and sought shelter at Sattras
(Vaishnava Monastries) and the adjoining hills outside the Ahom Kingdom.
 Failing to trace Prince Godapani, Sulikpha’s soldiers brought his wife Joymoti to
Jerenga Pathar. Despite horrific torture she refused to tell his whereabouts. After
continous torture over 14days she died on 27 March, 1680 AD.
 She was accorded the honorific Mohiyokhi (Sati) due to her supreme sacrifice for
the safe of her husband and the Ahom Kingdom.
 Soon after the death of Joymoti, Laluksola Barphukan was assassinated by his
bodyguards Bhutai Deka, Madhav Tamuli and Aghuna Kachari and Sulikpha too was
killed.
 Nobels chose Gadadhar Singha to the throne and he restored the authority of th eking
and brought stability.
 He sent a huge Ahom force to reocuppy Guwahati and engaged with a full front war with
Mughals at Itakhuli near Guwahati.
 Defeated Mughal Faujdar Mansoor Khan fled and Ahoms occupied Guwahati.
 This Battle of Itakuli in 1682 AD was the last battle between Ahoms and Mughals.
 Gadadhar Singha repressed several conspiracies against him. He also sent expeditions
against Miris and Nagas.
 By that time, Eksaran Naam Dharma( Neo Vaishnavite) and the Vaishnava Satras
have attained remarkable influence in Ahom Kingdom and the country become full of
Vaishnava followers. Many people became followers of Neo- Vaishavism to get
exemption from the Paik System.
 Moreover Gadhadhar Singha had developed personal grudge against some Gossains or
Satradhikars as they refused to give him shelter during his exile.
 So, Gadadhar Singha decided to break the power of Sattras and Gossains. At the order,
many Gossains were captured and killed. Their properties were also confiscated.
 The disciples or followers of Satras were captured and robbed of their property and
forcefully engaged them in various works.
 By engaging the idle (Dhud) followers a long road on the south bank of Brahmaputra and
hence it came to be known as Dhudor Ali.
 Dhudor Ali- 212km long road starting from Kamargoan in Golaghat to Joypur in
Dibrugarh touching Mariani, Jorhat and now it is a State Highway.
 He also initiated a detailed land survey of Ahom Kingdom for the first time.
 Gadadhar Singha built the Shiva Temple at Ummananda Island(Peacock island)
 He was a Shakta follower. Died in 1696 AD and was succeded by his son Lai.

Reign of Rudra Singha

 After the death of Gadadhar Singha his elder son Lai assumed the named Sukhrungpha
and Hindu name Rudra singha.
 He inherited a strong monarchy and a peaceful kingdom from his father.
 He reversed the policy of Gadadhar Singha towards Vaishnava Satras and Gossains were
allowed to resume their old position. However they were asked to make Majuli their
headquarters. Since then Majuli became the chief seat of the Vaishnava Satras.
 From this decision, Rudra Singha can be seen as a Diplomatic King who in order to keep
his kingdom at peace reversed the policy of his father. However this step can also be
understood as a policy to keep this strong power at check (before his eyes) rather than
letting them free to retaliate back to the Ahom kingdom all of a sudden with a great
force.
 Although he was illiterate, Rudra Singha had a dynamic personality. Apart from
maintaining balance in his empire he too took step to send expeditions for trade
expanisions. Instead of isolationist policy he had an international vision. He established
estemsive trade with Tibet and also sent his ambassadors to various parts of India.
 Rudra Singha imported an artisan named Ghanashyam from Bengal and under his
supervision a capital city was constructed in Rangpur and several brick palaces were
built.
 He built the Joy Daul and Joy Sagar Tank in memory of his mother Joymoti.
 He built the Ranganath Daul, Fakua Daul. A RANG GHAR was built using
BAMBOO and CANE during his reign. Later Pramatta Singha had erected the
masonry Rang Ghar.
 During his reign, masonry bridges over Namdang and Demow River. Metaka Ali,
Kharikatia Ali are some roads constructed during his reign.
 The detailed land survey initiated during the reign of Gadadhar Singha was completed by
Rudra Singha.
 He created the post of Bezbaruah for practising traditional medicine.
 Earlier alongwith the dead king servants were also buried in the maidams and Rudra
Sigha but an end to this inhumane custom. Rudra Singha also patronised games and
sports, culture and literature.
 He created the post of Gyan Baruah and Kukura Suwa Baruah to look after music,
dance and sports respectively.
 Rudra Singha celebrated the BIHU festival in his palace with pomp and grandeur. He too
was fond of watching animal fights and therefore constructed the Royal Sports pavilion-
Rang Garh with Bamboo.
 Rudra Singha patronised several scholars and authors. Kaviraj Chakraborty was the
royal poet of his court.
 Rudra Singha decided to formally embrace Hinduism and invited Krishnaram
Bhattacharya but later he asked his sons to follow it.
 He had 5 sons- Siva Singha, Pramatta Singha, Rajeswar Singha, Lakshmi Singha
and Barjana Gohain.

Sutanpha’s Reign
 After ascending the throne he assumed the Hindu name Siva Singha and as per his
father’s wish he became a disciple of Krishnaram Bhattacharya.
 He gave the management of Kamakhya Temple situated in Nilachal Hills to Krishnaram
Bhattacharya. And his successors came to be known as Parbatiya Gosains.
 During the reign of Siva Singha, there was unprecedented growth of Hindu religious
proclimities. The King was completely under the influence of Brahminical priest and
astrologers.
 In 1722 AD, Siva Singha was alarmed by their astrologers that his rule will soon came to
an end(will die) and to avert that he declared chief Queen Phuleswari as Bar Raja
and handed over the royal power to her.
 She too was under the influence of Brahmans and therefore wanted to make Shaktism
the state religion. She ordered the Vaishnava Mahantas and their followers to worship
Goddess Durga.
 When refused she forced some Gosains to be brought to a Shakta shrine where sacrifices
were being offered and their forehead was smeared with blood of the sacrificed animals.
 The Moamorias never forgave this insult and these incidents will slowly gear up the
Moamoriya rebellion.
 Queen Phuleswari died in 1731AD and Siva Singha married her sister Draupadi and
made her Bar Raja with the name Queen Ambika.
 It was during her reign that the tallest Daul SHIVA DAUL was constructed at
Sibsagar.
 Queen Ambika died in 1741 AD and she was followed by Enadari who took the name
Sarbeswari.
 Dhai Ali was built during Siva Singha’s reign. Bar Raja Phuleswari built Gauri Sagar
Tank and a survey was initiated in Kamrup and Bakota and recorded in Pera Kagoz.
(Register)
 Bar Raja Phuleswari patronised education and learning to a great extent. She established
several “Toll” for learning.
 During the reign of Shiva Singha, Kabiraj Chakravarty authored Sakuntala Kabya.
Ananta Acharya authored Ananta Lahari and Kabichandra Dwij authored Ram
Kumar Harana and Dharma Puran.
 In 1734 AD at Phuleswari’s order, Sukumar Barkaith authored the famous book on
medical treatment and training of elephants—“Hasti Bidyarnava”.
 In 1739AD four Europeans paid a visit to Siba Singha namely- Bill, Godwin, Lister and
Mill.
Reign of Pramatta Singha
 After the death of Siva Singha, his brother Pramatta Singha ascended the throne in 1744
AD.
 He assumed the Ahom name Sunenpha. He constructed the masonry Rang Ghar-
theRoyal Sports pavilion to watch animal fights and other sports.
 New Masonry buildings and gateways were constructed at Garhgoan. The Rudreswar
and Sukreswar temples were constructed at Guwahati.
 His reign was almost peaceful without any major conflict and expedition and after an
uneventful reign of 7 years he died in 1751AD.
 After his death, his brother Rajeswar Singha ascended the throne in 1751AD.

Reign of Rajeswar Singha (Surampha)

 In 1758 AD, Dafalas commited several raids in Ghiladharighat.
 As a punishment Rajeswar Singha erected forts and prohibited the Dafalas to enter the
plains.
 Finally they made submission to Ahom Kings and an agreement was made to allow
Dafalas to levy taxes from frontier areas.
 In 1765 AD two huge expeditions were sent against the Mikirs as they have stopped
paying tributes to Ahom King.
 Following that Mikirs came in withtribute and begged forgiveness.
 In November 1765 AD Kachari King Sandhikari was summoned but he refused and
then Rajeswar Singha sent a force under Kirtichandra Barbaruah.
 Following this, Kachari king came and paid tribute to Rajeswar Singha. He was
accompanied by Raja of Manipur Jai Singh.
 Jai Singh was taking shelter in Kachari Kingdom because his country was invaded by the
Burmese.
 Manipuri King Jai Singh sought help from the Ahom king to fight against the Burmese.
 Rajeswar Singha agreed to help him and dispatched Harnath Phukan to Manipur with a
huge Ahom force.
 To reach Manipur at earliest, the force marched through hills to the South of Charaideo.
But on their way through deep and dense jungle, the Ahom soldiers lost their way and
they had to find ways by clearing creeplings (Lota). Hence it was named as Lota Kota
Ron.
 The soldiers faced great hardships many got killed,some were killed by Nagas and finally
they had to return.
 After that in 1768AD another force with ten thousand troops was sent to Manipur under
Kirtichandra Barbaruah.
 With the help of this force, Jai Singh has driven out the Burmese and re- occupied the
throne of Manipur.
 Jai Singh sent valuables and also gave his daughter Kuranganayani in marriage to
Rajeswar Singha.
 A number of Manipuri people accompanied Kuranganayani and they settled in Desoi
river. It came to be known as Managala Hat as Ahoms called Manipuris as Mangalu.
 Soon after Rajeswar Singha fell ill and dies in 1769 AD at Dergoan.
 Rajeswar Singha was a able king but he preferred pleasure to state affairs and hence he
left the government in the hands of Kirtichandra barbaruah.
 Barbaruah however became greedy andambitious and therefore caused resentment
among the nobles.
 Numali Bar Gohain wrote a Buranji named Chakaripheti where it was mentioned that
Kirtichandra was from a lower descent.
 Following that Kirtichandra Barbaruah obtained the ascent from the king to examine all
Buranji’s in existence at that time and which contained any objectionable content were
burnt.
 Soon after, several assassinations were plotted against Kirtichandra but failed.

Note
 Rajeswar Singha was a strict Hindu. Soon after his accession he paid a long visit to
Guwahati to worship in various temples.
 He erected several temples and Dauls. He erected dauls in Bashistha ashram,
Manikarneswar and Nabagrah Dewalaya.
 He also erected a new dual in Negheriting.
 Construction of Kareng Ghar and Talatal Ghar were the best notable works of
Rajeswar Singha.
Reign of Lakshmi Singha and the Moamoriya rebellion
 After the death of Rajeswar Singha, there was a difference of opinion amongst the nobles
regarding the successor of the throne.
 One side headed by Kirtichandra was in favour of Lakshmi Singha and the other side was
in favour of Namrup Raja- the eldest son of Rajeswar Singha.
 Finally Lakshmi Singha ascended the throne in 1769AD and he assumed the name
Sunyeopha. He was already old (55 years ) when he became king and hence he left the
state affairs in the hands of Kirtichandra barbaruah.
 Lakhmi Singha’s reign was disrupted by the Revolt of Moamoriyas. Several causes can
be attributed to the rise of that revolt.
NOTE: After the death of Srimanta sankardev(Mahaprayan), the Vaishnava sattra was
divided into four Songhotis due to disagreements and fights among the disciples. They are:-
1. Kaal
2. Brahma
3. Purush
4. Nika
The Moamoriya Rebellion (1769-1805)
 The Moamoriyas were the followers of the Mayamara Sattra which belonged to the Kaal
Songhoti.
 The word Moamoriya has originated from the word ‘Mayamara’. ‘Mayamara’ was the
name of a Vaishnava Sattra.
 Although it included people of various caste the primary tribe was that of Moran (tribe).
 The religious preceptor (Satradhikar) of this sattra belonged to the Sudra caste. He was
refered to as the Mahanta. Since these low caste people found special dignity and
preference they felt empowered and this led to the increasing number of followers and
devotees of the guru.
 This growing power led the Mahantas an equal power to that of the Ahom royalty and
this feeling of equal status and power created a dislike between the two.
 There were various reasons be it political, religious or social economic behind this clash
of power.
 However the relation between the Moamoriyas and the Ahom Kings have started
degrading since the time of Pratap Singha.
 After that, Surampha and Gadadhar Singha provided death penalities to Moamoriya
Mahanta Nityanandadev and Baikunthadev respectively. Bar Raja Phuleswari forced
the Moamoriyas to follow Shakta rituals and smear their forehead with the blood of
sacrificed animals.
 Kirtichandra Barbaruah provided physical punishment to NAHAR- the chief of the
Morans who came to make annual offer of elephants. Nahar was offended at this and was
looking for support to take revenge on the Barbarua.
 One day Lakshmi Singha was travelling alongwith Kirtichandra and they met
Moamoriya Gossain. He showed respect to the king but did not offer any respect to the
latter. So Kirtichandra got offended and abused Moamoriya Gossain.
 Soon the Moamoriyas decided to fight and appointed his son Bagan to lead the rebels.
 In 1769 AD, the revolt took place. The first engagement they were defeated but soon
another Moran named Raghab Sakia led the force and defeated Ahom soldiers in several
engagement.
 The Moamriya rebels then occupied the capital Rangpur.
 Lakshmi Singha was captured and held captive in Jay Sagar Daul and Kirtichandra
Barbaruah was put to death.
 Raghab assumed the post of Barbaruah and Ramakanta- son of Moran Chief Nahar was
chosen to the throne.
 Coins were minted in Ramakanta’s name in 1769AD.
 The Moamoriyas preserved the entire structure of the Ahoms government and for
several years the new regime didn’t face any opposition from the Ahoms.
 But soon Ahom officials alongwith Queen Kuranganayani planned to overthrow
Moamoriya regime.
 Finally in 1770AD taking advantage of Bihu festival Raghab Barbaruah was killed.
 Ramakanta escaped but many other Moamoriya officers were put to death.
 Lakshmi Singha was released from captivity and was reinstalled in the throne.
 After that a vigorous persecution of Moamoriyas took place. A large number of
Moamoriyas were captured and killed at Lakshmi Singha’s order.
 In 1780AD lakshmi Singha died at an age of 68years.
Reign of Gaurinath Singha
 Lakshmi Singha was succeeded by his son Gaurinath Singha in 1780AD.
 The Ahom kingdom began to decline from the time of Gaurinath Singha.
 In 1782, the Moamoriyas insurrection rose again with renewed vigour and increased
hostilities.
 They advanced to garhgoan but the rebels were treated with severity and many were
executed.
 In the same year 1782AD, Purnanada Burhagohain got appointed. He was a brave
farsighted and efficient Ahom officer. He advised Gaurinath Singha to adopt liberal
policy towards Moamoriyas.
 In 1785AD Gaurinath Singha allowed Moamoriyas to have a Guru and Pitambardev was
appointed as Moamoriya Mahanta.
 After a brief pause, the distributary caused by the Moamoriyas swept down across the
north bank.
 This time Harihar Tanti led the Moamorias the defeated Ahom soldiers in several
engagements and advanced towards the capital Rangpur.
 Gaurinath Singha sought assistance from Manipur, Kachari, Jayantia and the chiefs of
Rani, Beltola,Luki. Before the help arrived the rebels occupied Rangpur.
 Gaurinath Singha with his family escaped to Guwahati.
 At Rangpur, the Moamoriyas set up Bharat Singha as king and the Hatisungi Morans set
up Sarbananda as their king of the territory to the east of Dihing and both minted coins in
their names.
 Then Ahom administration was shifted to Dichoi and from there Puranananda
Burhagohain continued fight against Moamoriyas.
 Krishnanarayan of Darrang rebelled and occupied North Guwahati.
 At that time several petty chiefs declared independence and finally Gaurinath Singha
sought British assistance.
Reign of Gaurinath Singha & Burmese Invasion
 Gaurinath Singha appealed for help of men and materials to the British East India
Company.
 He appealed through a salt merchant named Raush and commissioner of Koch
Bihar—Mr. Douglas.
 In response to this the Governor General Lord Cornwallis dispatched Captain Thomas
Welsh with sepoys and he arrived at Goalpara in November 1792.
 The meeting between Gaurinath Singha and Captain Welsh took place at Nagarberra on
the Brahmaputra.
Operation of Captain Thomas Welsh

 Captain Welsh suppressed the rebellious elements in Guwahati and on the North Bank.
 He also pacified Darrang Raja Krishnanarayan and expelled many of the Burkandazes
(hired North Indian soldiers) who assisted him.
 Then Captain Welsh advanced to Jorhat. Then he defeated the Moamorias in Rangpur
and restored the authority of Gaurinath Singha at Rangpur in 1794 AD.
 Soon after this success, Captain Welsh was recalled by Governor General Sir John
Shore and he left Assam.
 During his stay in the kingdom, Captain Welsh concluded a commercial treaty in 1793
by which commerce between Assam and Bengal was sought to be put on “reciprocal
basis.”
 The Report of Captain Welsh which he submitted to his government gives some
important information in regard to the administration of Ahoms, trade and commerce,
products etc.
 Gaurinath Singha was very cruel and vindictive. But he did some good work like
abolition of human sacrifice at the Kechaikhati temple at Sadiya.
 In 1794 AD, he permanently shifted the Ahom Capital to Dichoi(Jorhat).

Reign of Kamaleswar Singha

 Gaurinath Singha died in 1795 and he was succeeded by Kamaleswar Singha.
 He left the administration to the most efficient officer—Purnananda Burha Gohain.
 His reign witnessed localised revolts at several places in Kamrup, at Sadiya by the
Khamtis, Pani Noras, Miris ,fresh Moamaria insurrection in league with the Daflas but
all those were successfully suppressed.
 The revolt at Kamrup was led by Haradutta and his brother Birdutta. They organised
some Barkundez soldiers. The local people called them Dumdumiya and hence the revolt
was known as Dumduniya or Donduwa Droh.
 The Donduwa Droh was soon repressed and Haradutta and Birdutta was killed by Kalia
Bhomora Barphukan and he was offered the title Pratap Ballav by Kamaleswar Singha.
 Kalia Bhomara Barphukan also decided to built a bridge over Brahmaputra near Silghat.
The second bridge over Brahmaputra “Kolia Bhomora Setu”(1987) connecting Kaliabor
and Tezpur has been named after Kalia Bhomora.
 In 1805, there was a fresh rising of Momariyas under Sarbanada Singha.
 Moamoriyas also brought Burmese twice to the country for assistance but Purnananda
bribed the Burmese and sent them back.
 Finally Purnanda Burhagohain concluded a treaty with Moamoriyas and they settled in
between Brahmaputra and Burhidihing which came to known as “Matak” state. Their
chief was given the title “Bar Senapati”.
 Kamaleswar Singha connected the new capital Jorhat by constructing several new roads
like the Na-Ali, Rajabahar Ali, Mohobandha Ali, Kamarbandha Ali etc.
 He also built a copper- house at Kamakhya
 Kamaleswar Sigha died in 1810 AD.

Reign of Chandrakanta Singha

 Kamaleswar Singha was succeded by Chandra Kanta Singha.
 He assumed the Ahom name Sudenpha. As he was very young at in age, the control of
Ahom Kingdom remained at the hands of Purnananda.
 The reign of Chandra Kanta Singha saw the Burmese invasion.
 Chandra Kanta Singha developed a great friendship with Satram who soon became
greedy and insolent and plotted assassination of Burhagohain. He was captured and
banished to Namrup.
 Consequently at the death of Kalia Bomora, Badanchandra was appointed as the
Barphukan.
 The appointment of Badanchandra Barphukan was the most disastrous decision for
Ahom kingdom.
 Badanchandra Barphukan was very corrupt and soon friction wasdeveloped between
Purnananda Buragohain and Badan Chandra Barphukan.
 Finally Burhagohain sent man to arrest Badan Chandra but he fled and went to Calcutta
and siught British assistance . But the British refused to intervene.
 Following that Badan Chandra went to Burmese capital Amarapura and pleaded for
assistance against the Burhagohain. The Burmese Monarch Bodoupaya already had his
eye on Assam.

First Burmese Invasion

 Bodoupaya took the opportunity and in 1817AD he dispatched a huge Burmese army of
about 16000 men with Badan Chandra to Assam. It was the first Burmese invasion to
Assam.
 Purnananda Singha sent Ahom army to resist Burmese. At that juncture, unfortunately he
died of heart attack.
 Purnananda’s death was a big blow to Ahom Kingdom. He was succeeded by his son
Ruchinath Burhagohain.
 In this first Battle at Ghiladharighat, Burmese defeated the Ahom army. Then the
Burmese army marched forwarded and arrived at Jorhat.
 On their line of March, Burmese army burnt thousands of villages.
 The Burmese army arrived at Jorhat.
 Badanchandra was reinstated as Barphukan and he became all powerful.
 Chandrakanta Singha was retained as a nominal king and all relatives and adherents of
Burha Gohain was killed.
 In April 1817 AD the Burmese returned to their country and took with them an Ahom
girl named Hemo Aideo and a very huge amount of presents.

Fall of the Ahom Kingdom

 In April 1817 AD, Burmese army returned and soon after their departure, Barbarua
quarrelled with Badan Barphukan.
 The kings mother Numali Rajmao, Nirbhay Narayan Bargohain took side with Barbarua.
 Finally Badanchandra was assassinated in 1818AD.
 Ruchinath Burghagohain decided to place Brajnath Singha in Ahom throne. But he was
ineligible and his son Purandar Singha was chosen to the throne.
 Chandrakanta Singha was captured and mutilated and made ineligible for futher
accession to the throne.
Second Burmese Invasion 1819
 Soon Burmese king came to know about the assassination of Barphukan, a huge force
was sent under Alu Mirgi and they reached Assam in February, 1819AD.
 It was the second Burmese invasion to Assam.
 In the Battle near Nazira, initially Ahom army successfully resisted the Burmese. But
later the Ahom army successfully resisted the Burmese. But later the Ahom army
retreated and Burmese army advanced to Jorhat.
 Purandar Singha and Ruchinath fled to Guwahati, Purandar Singha reached Calcutta and
appealed the British East India Company to assist him but they refused to intervene.
 Chandra Kanta Singha was once again restored to the throne by the Burmese. He was
only nominal ruler and the real authority was vested on Burmese commander.
 In 1819AD, Alu Mingri returned by retaining few Burmese army in Ahom Kingdom
under Mingimaha Tiluwa.
 After the departure of the Burmese, Chandra K. Singha sought to raise a fort at Jaipur
against further Burmese invasion. It was supervised by Patal Barbaruah.
 In 1821 Burmese Monarch Bagyidew sent a Burmese force with presents of ornaments
and dress to Chandrakanta Singha.

Third Burmese Invasion

 The Burmese force soon reached near Jaipur and seeing such preparations for the fort
they killed Patal Bararuah.
 Chandrakanta got afraid of this hostile move and in February 1821AD he fled to
Guwahati. The Burmese tried to convince him to return but failed.
 In 1821 AD, the Burmese placed Jogeswar Singha as a nominal king and the real
authority was vested on Burmese commander Mingimaha Tiluwa.
 Chandrakanata Singha crossed the border and entered Bengal where he collected arms
and men to fight the Burmese.
Fall of the Ahom Kingdom
 In 1882 AD, Mingimaha Bendula arrived in Assam, with a large reinforcement.
 In April 1822 AD the Battle of Mahgarh took place between Chandra Kanta Singha and
Burmese but Chandrakanta was defeated.
 In June 1822 AD Chandrakanta fought the last Battle of Hadirachaki and there also he
got defeated.
 Chandrakanta fought with exemplary bravey but he was badly defeated due to shortage
of ammunition.
 After the battle of Hadirachaki, the Burmese formally took over Ahom kingdom.

Manor Din
Period of Burmese rule

 The period from 1821-1824 is called period of Burmese rule.

 During this period, the Burmese devastated the country and committed atrocities by
plunder and killing of innocent people.

 People were burnt alive, some portions of their bodies were cut off alive.
 Their apprehension were so horrific that it cannot be described.
 In addition to that, the Singhphos allied with Burmese and made constant raids and
carried of helpless Assamese people as their slaves.
 Even after so many years Burmese left, people of Assam remember Manor Din or Manor
Upodrob with horror.

Friction Between Burmese & British

 The Burmese started demanding the surrender of refugees including Chandrakanta
Singha and their supporters.
 In that time, the border conflict in the East India Company’s Chittagong Frontier with the
Burmese empire also took serious turn.
 Bengal was the most prized possession of British and anticipating a Burmese invasion on
Bengal, British Governor. General Lord Amherest decided to fight.
 Governor General Lord Amherest declared war on the 5th of March 1824 against
Burma(Myanmar) under the command of General Archibald Campbell.
Anglo-Burmese War
 The British army entered Goalpara frontier of Assam, defeated the small Burmese
garrisons in Lower Assam and advanced to upper Assam.
 The British army in Brahmaputra Valley was led by a civilian( agent of Governor
General) David Scott, Colonel Richards and Captain Neufuille.
 At first British troops occupied Moramukh- main establishment of Burmese.
 On 21st January 1825 British army occupied Rangpur and martial law wa declared. David
Scott was appointed as civil officer incharge of civil matters and Col. Richards incharge
of the army.
 The Burmese and their ally Singphos were driven out of Assam.
 In 1824 Colonel Innes with the help of Gambhir Singh driven out the Burmese from
Manipur.
 In June 1825 Captain Neufuille defeated the allies of Burmese and Singphos. The
Burmese were expelled and Singphos submitted. In that mission, Captain Neufuille
rescued around 6000 Assamese captives.
 The British army invaded Burma and in the Battle of Yangon and Battle of Prome, the
Burmese were badly defeated.
 Narratives of Burmese War by Wilson provides a detailed account of Anglo Burmese
War.
Treaty of Yandaboo, 1826
 Finally on 24th Febuary 1826 a treaty of peace and friendship was concluded between
the British and the Burmese at Yandaboo.
 By this treaty of Yandaboo, the Burmese monarch renounced all claims upon and
promised to refrain from all interference with Assam, Manipur and Arakan and also
recognised Gambhir Singh as the Raja of Manipur.
 British kept Assam under its occupation. It was constituted as province of Assam and
British administration was introduced.

The Moamoriya Rebellion (1769-1805)

Reasons for the rebellion

1. Change in Religious Policy of Ahom

 Inequal royal patronages to various sattras

 The policy of oppression and domination of Vaishnava and the suppression of the Sattra
institution by the Ahom king Gadadhar Singha. He took steps to curtail the power of the
Sattras which were gaining momentum as a parallel kingdom.

 King Rudra Singha used the policy of divide and rule. He gave special priviledges to
Brahmanical Sattras by which he created a rift between them and the Sudra Sattras.

 Queen Phuleswari insulted the Sudra mahantas by forcing them and their disciples to
smear the blood of sacrificed animals on their forehead as “tilak”.

 The difference between Hindu Brahminism and Mahapurishiya Vaishnavism was another
major cause for the rebellion.

 Swargadeo Rudra Singha invited a Shakta Brahman Pandit named Krishnaram

Bhattacharya from Bengal . Almost all kings after Rudra Singha became his disciple. At
times these rulers acted in a biased manner increasing the social isolation.

 Paik sytem responsible for Moamoriya rebellion.

 Decrease in the number of Paiks in a GOT: Earlier 4 Paiks made up a Got and they
rendered services for 3 months in rotation. However during the reign of Rajeswar Singha,
 each Got was to comprise 3 Paiks which were to provide service for 3months to the state
in rotation.

 Exploited the hardworking common people, they were not ready for change.

 Division of Paiks into Chamua and Kanri Paiks

 The idea that since the economy of the Ahom state depended completely on the Paiks,
the Ahoms will understand their troubles were falsified.

 Socio-Economic cause(imbalance)

 To end the long saga of exploitation, individual leaders like ‘Gagini’ the son of
Moamoriya Mahanta Ashtabhuj took up the responsibility for the future rebellion.

The events of the Moamoriya Rebellion

AIM : To end the Ahom rule
 Towards the end of 1769 Moamoriyas collected 7000 soldiers and step forward for the
revolt.
 First instance they neglected the Ahom kings authority and attacked a group that had
gone into the forests in the Moran inhabited area to collect timber on behalf of the king.
 The king responded immediately by sending a force of 2000 soldiers against them.
 Ahoms defeated in this encounter.
 Then Swargadeo Lakshmi Singha dispatched a huge army of 14000 soldiers to quell the
rebellion.
 The Commander of this force was Harnam Bhitoruwal Phukan.
 Ahoms defeated again and Phukan was captivated. Then the Moamoriyas marched
towards the Charaideo Hills and proceeded towards the capital. They captured the king
and imprisoned him in the JOYDOUL. Kritichandra too was imprisoned.
 The Moamoriyas captured the Ahom capital and established Nahor Khora’s son
Ramakanta or Ramananda on the throne.
 Ragha Moran became the Borbarua.

The Second Phase of the Rebellion

 After Laksmi Singha was reinstated inhuman activities too started in a huge scale.
 In the second phase the Burhagohain was Ghanashyam.
 He tried to bring normalcy in the kingdom but almost half of the entire Ahom kingdom
was de-populated.

The Third Phase of the Rebellion

 The desire for revenge made the Moamoriyas join hands with the Daflas and Bahatiyas
and once again the revolt started against the Ahoms.
 As a result on 19th January 1788, Swargadeo Gaurinath Singha left his capital for
Guwahati.
 The Moamoriyas captured the capital and established a relative of the Mahanta, Bharat
Singha on the throne.
 After the death of Ghanashyam Burhagohain, his son, Lari Gohain became the
Burhagohain. This person is famous as Purnananda Burhagohain.
 After the 3rd Phase of the rebellion the British entered but they returned back.
 The British first came to Assam on the invitation of the Ahom Swargadeo Gaurinath
Singha in 1792.
 A Trade treaty was concluded between Gaurinath Singha and Captain Welsh on 8th
February 1793 according to which:
1. Tax of 10% was levied on any commodity imported into Assam from any English
dominated region.
2. Tax of 10% was levied on any commodity exported from Assam to any English
dominated region.
3. No tax was to be collected on grain and rice.
4. Two custom offices were set up in Guwahati and Kandahar for collection of import and
export duties.
5. No other European traders were to trade in Assam without the permission of the English
or the Ahom government.
 The Assamese soldiers alongwith the British compelled the Moamoriyas to flee Rangpur.
A large number of Moamoriyas were killed.
 Raja Bharat Singha was badly injured and he escaped. On 21st March 1794 Gaurinath
Singha entered the capital.

The Fourth Phase of the Rebellion

 Sir John Shore the new Governor General after Lord Cornwallis adopted a new
policy of non-intervention. Therefore he called back Captain Welsh from Assam.
 As soon as he returned the political turmoil onceagain raised its head in the state.
 The Moamoriyas took over Rangpur again. Gaurinath singha too died in1795 leaving the
state in a chaotic condition.
 During this time, Purnananda Burhagohain was looking after the state affairs and
therefore he nominated the son of Kadamdighala Gohain- KINARAM as the successor
of Gaurinath Singha.
 Kinaram took the Hindu name Kamaleswar Singha and the Ahom name Suklengpha.

NOTE:
 After the death of Bharat Singha, the Moamoriyas revolted again in Bengmara(present
day Tinsukia).
 They were led by Sarbananda Singha and helped by the Singphos.
 With the help of the Singphos they too came in contact with the Burmese.
 Purnananda Burhagohain very well understood that this friendship with the Burmese was
a bad omen for the kingdom and as such he tried his best to solve issues with the
Moamoriyas.
 Purnananda realised that among Moamoriyas the Moran were the majority and the
strongest.
 He therefore concluded a treaty with the Moamoriya leader Sarbananda.
 With Bengmara as the centre the area between Brahmaputra and Dihing was named as
Matak Rajya- and this was given to Sarbananda.
 Sarbananda agreed to pay tribute to the Ahoms.

Captain Welsh description of Assam

 His account consisted of details regarding the Ahom administration, the Paik system, the
process of selecting Ahom kings etc.
 He also highlighted the dictatorship of Kirtichandra Barbarua and the power struggles
between the Mahantas and the Ahom royalty.
 Regarding trade and economy, Welsh mentioned that Assam and Bengal had large scale
trade, revenue amounting to Rs. 90000 per year. But only Rs. 26000 reached the royal
treasury.
 There was scarcity of Saltand much has to be imported and therefore it was the
expensive commodity.
 Inferior quality salt was present in Sadiya and Nagapahar in Assam.
Burmese Invasion of Assam
Note:

 The way Sarbananda was made an independent king of Matak Rajya by Purnananda
Burhagohain. Similarly inorder to diplomatically handle the Singphos, the Burhagohain
gave to the Singpho Chief- Bichanong an Ahom girl named Rangili to establish
cordial relations.

 Bichanong however presented Rangili to the Burmese king Bodawpaya to maintain

good relations.

 Ironically it will be Rangili who later will help Bandachandra against Purnananda
Burhagohain.

First Burmese Invasion,1817

 Badan Chandra with the help of Burmese army attacked the Ahoms led by Daman
Gogoi and Hau Bora.
 However the Ahoms were defeated and this news saddened Purnananda so much that he
died.
 His son Ruchinath succeeded him.
 1st engagement between Ahoms and Burmese- At Ghiladharighat
 2nd engagement - Kathalbari, which lies to the east of Dihing.
 Ruchinath fled after he lost in the second engagement.
 The Burmese made Badan as the Barphukan and he became all powerful, Chandra
Kanta Singha became just a nominal king.
 Alongwith Badan, two scribes came to Assam and they wrote a note on the Burmese
military operations in Assam. They are “Baishali Hukong” and “Baishali
Mung-dun-sun-kham”.
 The first invasion of the Burmese 1817 cannot be termed as a rea invasion because they
only came to help Badan Chandra.
Second Burmese Invasion
 Numali Rajmao alongwith some officials hatched a conspiracy to get rid of Badan
Chandra as he was becoming all powerful. As per their plot Ban Chandra was killed in
1818 by a Subedar named Rup Singh.
 Soon Burmese king came to know about the assassination of Barphukan, a huge force
was sent under Alu Mirgi and they reached Assam in February, 1819AD.
 It was the second Burmese invasion to Assam.
 In the battle near Nazira, initially Ahom army successfully resisted the Burmese. But
later the Ahom army successfully resisted the Burmese. But later the Ahom army
retreated and Burmese army advanced to Jorhat.
 Purandar Singha and Ruchinath fled to Guwahati, Purandar Singha reached Calcutta and
appealed the British East India Company to assist him but they refused to intervene.
 Chandra Kanta Singha was once again restored to the throne by the Burmese. He was
only nominal ruler and the real authority was vested on Burmese commander.
 In 1819AD, Alu Mingri returned by retaining few Burmese army in Ahom Kingdom
under Mingimaha Tiluwa.
 After the departure of the Burmese, Chandra K. Singha sought to raise a fort at Jaipur
against further Burmese invasion. It was supervised by Patal Barbaruah.

Third Burmese Invasion

 In 1821 Burmese Monarch Bagyidew sent a Burmese force with presents of ornaments
and dress to Chandrakanta Singha.
 The Burmese force soon reached near Jaipur and seeing such preparations for the fort
they killed Patal Bararuah.
 Chandrakanta got afraid of this hostile move and in February 1821AD he fled to
Guwahati. The Burmese tried to convince him to return but failed.
 In 1821 AD, the Burmese placed Jogeswar Singha as a nominal king and the real
authority was vested on Burmese commander Mingimaha Tiluwa.
 Chandrakanata Singha crossed the border and entered Bengal where he collected arms
and men to fight the Burmese.

Fall of the Ahom Kingdom & the Burmese

 The Burmese had already won Arakan, Manipur and Cachar. By bringing Assam into
their control, they at once became the rivals of the British.

 The presence of the Burmese in Assam and the neighbouring states posed a threat to the
English power.
 Their efforts to stop the Burmese advance led to the First Anglo-Burmese War of
1824-1826.
The First Anglo-Burmese War
 The imperialistic activities plus the frequent raids in the British territories made the
Burmese enemies with the East India Comapany.
 The Burmese too took steps to conquer British occupied territories .
 From Nogoan and through Manipur, which they won in 1819, the Burmese entered
Cachar.
 Meanwhile Cachar King, Govind Chandra unable to withstand the attack of the
Manipuri king Gambhir Singh took refuge with the English.
 The English understood that if Cachar came under the Burmese, then it could pose a
threat to Srihatta(Sylhet), which lies on the Cachar frontier, under British domination.
 Hence they undertook necessary steps to prevent the Burmese aggression.
 On 5th March, 1824 AD the English Governor General Lord Amherst declared war
against the Burmese King.
 With full preparation the British attacked from 3 sides.
1. Under Lord MacMoraine a British force advanced up the Brahmaputra from
Goalpara to Guwahati.
2. Under David Scott another troop advanced through Chattagram and the Srihatta
frontier through Arakan towards Manipur and the Jayantia Country.
3. Under Sir Archibald Campbell the soldiers advanced by way of the Irrawaddy
river to Rangoon.
 On 28th March 1824 AD, the English forces easily occupied Guwahati.
 Later when the English army occupied the Burmese town of Yandaboo, the king of
Burma had no option but to conclude a peace treaty.
 Peace treaty: Treaty of Yandaboo, 24th February, 1826.
 Article 2 of the Yandaboo treaty concerned Assam. According to it, the king of
Ava(Burma) renounced all claims over Assam and would abstain from future
interference.
 They too wont interfere in other states like Cachar and Jayantia.
 NOTE: Neither the Burmese handed over Assam to the English, nor anyone on
behalf of Assam had signed in the Yandaboo treaty. Infact, there was no unified or
common power to represent Assam.
 Towards the end of 1826, the Ahom king Jogeswar Singha died at Jagighopa.
Treaty of Yandaboo
Main provisions

1. The Burmese king had to pay an amount of Rs. One crore as war indemnity to the
English Company.

2. The British would take over Arakan and Tanasserim.

3. The Burmese would not be able to interfere in Assam, Cachar and Jayantia country.

4. The Burmese recognized Gambhir Singh as the king of Manipur.

5. There would be a British Resident at Ava. The British too allowed the king of Ava to
station an officer at Calcutta.

The English forces entered Assam in 1824 to drive out the Burmese. In 1826 they
expelled the Burmese from Assam.

British Rule & its Consolidation

 The advent of British into Assam was in regards of issuing a helping hand to the Ahoms
fight the Burmese. However the Company annexed Assam all of a sudden which was not
the intention prior to the Anglo- Burmese war.
 By bringing almost 30,000 Assamese people who were taken by the Burmese as slaves,
the British too appeared as saviour.
 The political imbalance, the atrocities etc all created suitable conditions for the British to
be accepted by the Assam people as their rulers.

Governance of David Scott

 After the death of Jogeswar Singha in 1825, the immediate responsiity of David Scott
was to nominate a representative from the Ahom Dynasty to take up the throne.
 Till February 1824, the British Government had no intentions to annex Assam.
 Scott put forward 2 advice to the Company:
1. British to re-establish the Ahom representative as a tributary king and to provide him
security and thus qualify the British to interfere in the internal affairs
2. British to keep Lower Assam under their control till Bishwanath and to restore an
Ahom representative to govern Upper Assam excluding the areas under Moamorias,
Khamtis and the Singphos.
 However, the British Government refused the advice of David Scott.
 For administrative convenience the British divided Assam into two parts-
1. Western or Lower Assam [appointed David Scott as the Senior Commissioner for
Lower Assam. Head office- Guwahati]
2. Eastern or Upper Assam [ appointed Col.Richards as the Junior Commissioner for
Upper Assam. Head office- Rangpur]
3. Biswanath was marked as the middle point

Reforms of David Scott

Military Reforms
 In 1826, the Assam Light Infantry was formed as a result of the withdrawal of
permanent British soldiers from Assam.
 Soldiers comprising the Hindustani Gorkhas, Manipuris and Rangpur Local Corps
formed this army.
 These troops were stationed at Biswanath and Sadiya.

Revenue Reforms
 David Scott didinot made any great transformation in the Ahom revenue system rather
he designed the system based on the earlier Khel system only.
 However he made small modifications to it-
1. Earlier every Paik had to render servies in the form of labour and now they had to pay a
sum of Rs 3 as annual tax instead of labour.
2. Janardhan Baarbarua wasincharge of collecting these revenue.
3. The revenue system of Lower Assam was to be based on the model of Bengal.
4. Shirastedar was to be appointed instead of Barphukan and this responsibility was
carried on by the members of Duwariya family, Haliram Dhekiyal Phukan.

Tax Reforms
 David Scott levied a tax of Rs.2 (gadhan)to every paik as they were allotted three puras
of cultivable land (gamati).
 Apart from it, every male had to pay poll tax. This tax was called in Kamrup poll tax or
paik tax or plough tax; in Darrang,it was called mess-pots; and in Nagoan, it was called a
capitation tax.
 Kharikatana and Sarukar were two different taxes introduced in Kamrup and Darrang.
 Taxes were also imposed in muga weavers, gold washers, fisherman,blacksmiths
alongwith market place(huts) and ghats. Opium cultivated lands were heavily taxed.

Judicial Reforms
 David Scott preferred a simple judicial system according to which Lambodhar Phukan
(relative of Chandrakanta Singha) and Janardhan Barbarua were given the
responsibility of settling the civil cases.
 The Junior Commissioner handled the criminal cases.
 In Lower Assam, the Senior Commissioner gave judgemet on every cases except capital
Punishment.
 To make judicial system more efficient, David Scott formed Panchayats in Nagoan,
Kaliabor and Chariduar.

After David Scott

 David Scott died in 1831.
 After his death, Cracroft was appointed to serve in Assam in a temporary capacity, as
the Agent to the Governor General.
 In April 1832, T.C.Robertson was appointed in this post. He served till 1834.

Reforms of T.C.Robertson
Revenue Reforms
 He imposed land revenue tax on the basis of the quality and quantity of the land.
 He issued land pattas to the cultivators.
 Other taxes include land tax, capitation tax on house etc.
 The ryots were issued receipts of taxes paid and this system was beneficial to them.

Administrative Tax
 Robertson divided Assam into five districts and each district was placed under one
British officer.
 Both Munsiff court and the Panchayat Court were present for Judicial matters.

T.C.Robertson was succeeded by Captain Jenkins as the Commissioner of Assam and as

agent to the Governor-General . Prior to this charge, he had already made survey of
Cachar,Manipur and Assam with Pemberton in 1831.
 It was Captain Jenkins who proposed that Assam’s land should be used for tea
cultivation, sugarcane and indigo.

 His name was associated with Tea, Coal and Oil industries. For these experiences,
Captain Jenkins was sent to Assam as an administrator.

 It was during his time that the first steamship sailed in the Brahmaputra.

 He too paid attention for the transport and road communications.

 He too established English medium schools in Guwahati and Sivasagar.

 Captain Jenkins opposed the appointment of Bengalees bureaucrats in Assam and he

wanted the development of the local people of Assam. He wrote an article regarding
Assam in the Journal of “Asiatic Society Bengal.”

Reforms of Captain Jenkins

 Jenkins strengthened the Treasury of the Government by reforming land settlement and
revenue collection.
 Districts were divided into some revenue unit called ‘Tangani’ and were placed under
Phukan, Rajkhowa and Barua. They were assisted by Hazarika, Saikia and Bora.
 Later, Tanganis were replaced by the formation of Mauzas which were managed by the
‘Mauzadars’.
 The Common people during his time were appointed as Mauzadars alongwith the
aristocratic class.
 This even though reduced the Class distinction in the society but somewhere brought
discontent amongst the aristocratic class.

 The reforms of Jenkins improved the condition of the British traders as well as the
British Government rather than the local Assamese people which was to be proved by the
Revolt of 1857.
 Captain Jenkins too increased the land tax. A number of taxes were imposed on grazing
lands, forest wood, bamboo, chom tree etc. He imposed stamp duty in 1858, income
tax in 1860, import duty, licence tax etc.
  To show progressive attitude, the British government in Assam abolished slave system
on bonded labour in1843 AD. This indirectly helped the Britishers as they could engage
the free slave in tea gardens as labourers.
 On grounds of non-payment of tax many kingdoms like Matok, Kachari etc were
annexed by Jenkins.
 Increased taxation, imposition of new taxes made all the classes of people enraged with
the British. Most of them who couldnot pay the tax left their lands barren.
 The worst sufferers were the common people and the peasants. Jenkins banned opium
cultivation in Assam but they continued with their export and production of opium.
 The opium eaters could not live without opium and therefore they were compelled to buy
it from the government store. They too were forced to work in the tea gardens as their
opium cultivation was banned.
 Opium addiction ruined Assamese people both physically and mentally, money lending
system started. A class of interest exploiter started called MAHAJAN.

Districts in the Brahmaputra Valley

 By the time British occupied Assam, the Brahmaputra Valley was divided into 4 districts.
1. Goalpara
2. Kamrup
3. Darrang(including Biswanath)
4. Nogoan.[ Earlier it was called Khagarijan]
 Robertson and Purandar Singh signed a treaty and in 1832AD, Purandar Singha was
restored as the Raja of Upper Assam excluding Motak(Matak) Kingdom and Sadiya
on the condition that he would pay Rs. 50000 per year as tribute.
 As he failed to pay the tribute, British directly brought his Kingdom under their
jurisdiction in 1838. His kingdom was transformed into two Districts:- Lakhimpur and
Sivasagar whose headquarters were respectively Lakhimpur and Jorhat.

Previous Years’ Questions- APSC

1. The Treaty of Yandaboo was signed in 1826 between(2000)(2013)
(a) East India Company and Ahom King
(b) East India Company and the Burmese
(c) British King and the Ahom king
(d) British king and the Burmese king
 Anti-British Uprisings (1828-1839)
First Anti- British Uprising
Although the people of Assam welcomed the Britishers as saviours but their policies created
situations which resulted into 3 Anti-British uprisings within a period of 2 years.

First Anti- British Uprising:

 The first man to oppose British administration in Assam was Gomdhar Konwar. He
belonged to the Ahom Royal family and was supported by Dhananjoy and his son
Harnath Jeuram Dulia Baruah etc.

 British withdrew martial law from upper Assam and the soldiers were shifted. Taking
this advantage Gomdhar declared himself as the Swargadeo.

 However the British were not so weak and therefore they easilu regained their authority
and suppressed the revolt.

 Gomdhar was sentenced to 7 years imprisonment and Dhananjoy was sentenced to death.
However the later fled away from prison and took shelter in Nagaland.

Second Anti-Brtish Uprising

 Under the leadership of Gadadhar Singha in 1829 AD, second anti-British uprising took
place.
 As the nobility took steps to make Gomdhar Singha as the Ahom king, he sought help
from the Burmese as well as from the Assam Light Infantry, and he also approached
Zalim Singh, Subedar of the regiment, to expel the British. However, the Subedar
Zalim Singh instead of helping, got Gomdhar Singha arrested.

Third Anti-British Uprising

 This uprising took place under the leadership of Dhananjoy again.
 This time his associates were his son Harnath, his son-in-law Jeuram Dulia Barua and
son of Badan Borphukan ( Peoli Phukan), Roopchand Konwar, Deuram Dihingia
Barua and Boum Singphou.
 Two letters written by Dhanjoy to Sadiya Khowa Gohain were intercepted by the British
with the conspiracy of the Khamti Gohain.
 In the meantime the rebellions set fire to the British Garrison. But their attack failed and
they were captured.
 Dhanjoy and Harkanta fled and the trial was held for the extremists.
 In the trial Peoli Barphukan, Jeuram Dulia Barua, Roopchand Konwar, Boum Singphou
etc were sentenced to death.
 This judgement was sent to David Scott by Neufill. Commissioner’s court in Cherapunji
verdicted death sentence to Peoli Phukan and Jeuram Dulia Baruah only others were
exiled for fourteen years.
 Peoli Phukan and Jeuram Dulia Barua were hanged till death at Sivasagar on
August 1830.
 Thus it can be seen that the British did not bring entire Assam under their control at first.
They brought Lower Assam under their direct rule and other places were restored to their
local chiefs with agreement. They had to abide by the British supremacy.
 After that it is seen that Muttock, Singpho, Khamti, Cachar, Jaintia, Khasi, Gobha
Kingdom, Garo Hills, Naga Hills, Lushai Hills etc were annexed on different grounds.
Finally hills and plains all were incorporated to the British rule.

Anti-British Uprisings and the Peasant Revolts in Assam

 The Britishers did not take up any policies to erase the sorrows and difficulties of the
peasants and the people.
 The new land revenue policy and the money economy of the British government created
deep resentment among the Assamese common people.
 At that time the villages in Assam were self sufficient and there was hardly any scope of
earning money by selling the local produce.
 The fact that the land revenue struck at the backbone of the Assamese people, was also
written by Anandaram Dhekial Phukan in his application to Moffat Mills in 1853. He
pointed out that the land revenue fixed by the British was much more than what could be
afforded by the peasants.
 In the early part of the 19th century the British has established tea gardens in Upper
Assam. To encourage the tea gardeners land revenue of the lands falling within the
gardens was exempted. As a result the burden of making up for this loss of revenue fell
upon the poor peasants.
 British administration too was responsible for the deterioration of the cottage industry.
Paat and Muga silk during the ahom dynasty had a special demand in the Indian market
 but the patronage of the British administration to import foreign cloth material had a
very negative impact on the people associated with this industry.
 The condition of the aristocratic class was similar to that of the common people because
they were not being able to keep themselves at par with the British administration. Due
to lack of modern education the majority could not become a part of the new
administration.
 The British rulers however had to import educated Bengali Babu’s from Bengal to work
in the administration.
 British stopped slavery in Assam in 1843. But this did not uplift the common people’s
position. It was to engage this group of people as labourers in the newly established tea
gardens of the British that they had been freed from the control of the Assamese
aristocrats.
 They felt humiliated on being compelled to perform manual labour in their own fields
and other works like their erstwhile slaves.
 According to eminent Historian H.K.Borpujari several Brahmin Purohits of Upper
Assam joined in the revolt of 1857 against the British rule because the government took
away the excess of the Lakheraj and untaxed lands which they were occupying for so
long.

Revolt of 1857 and its Impact on Assam

 Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar II, Nana Saheb of Kanpur, Maratha leader Tantia Tope,
Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi etc. led this revolt. The revolutuioneries wanted to place
Bahadur Shah Zafar II as the Mughal Emperor once again and end the British rule in
India forever.
 The Revolt of 1857 provided a golden opportunity to the elite class of Assam to throw
off the yoke of British rule and re-establish the Ahom monarchy.
 When the revolt broke out in North India, there were two British army regiments posted
in Assam- The First Assam Light Infantry in Dibrugarh and the Second Assam
Light Infantry in Guwahati.
 The two battalions alongwith the group of soldiers were very loyal to the British even
after the outbreak of the Mutiny in some parts of India in 1857. In Assam, the strength of
soldiers was very less, and the army comprised of Gorkhas, Manipuris and Singphos
who were outsiders. The situation was quite normal in the initial times however it
changed lately.
 Taking the advantage, Maniram Dewan planned for a revolt to establish
Kandarpeswar Singha at the Ahom throne.
 Maniram Barbhandar Barua popularly known as Maniram Dewan was in Calcutta
when the Indian Soldiers declared mutiny in Meerut.
 He went there to file an application to the British government requesting that a portion
of Upper Assam be placed under the rule of an Ahom king.
 In Calcutta Maniram Dewan met Madhu Mallik, a Bengali Mukhtiyar and together
they hatched a conspiracy to drive the British out of Assam.
 They decided that Ahom Prince Kandarpeswar Singha would lead the soldiers in
Assam in revolt and Maniram Dewan would bring arms and ammunitions from
Calcutta to help them.
 However this conspiracy failed as Principal Assistant Captain Holroyd intercepted many
letters written by Maniram Dewan wherein their plans regarding the conspiracy against
the British were clearly mentioned.
 Prince Kandarpeswar Singha (minor) was jailed and Maniram Dewan and Piyoli Barua
as per a special Court of Justice were sentenced to be hanged to death.
 26th February 1858 both were hanged.

Peasant Uprising
 The Revolt of 1857 left the British treasury in a pitiable condition and inorder to
compensate their loss they started increasing the taxes.
 Irrespective of famine or any other natural disaster the Britishers raised the tax to almost
100% and the common people (peasants) were the worst suffers.
 All these resulted in a series of revolts in Assam from the middle of the 19th century.

Raij Mel
 The peasant revolts in Assam in the 19th century were led by the People’s Assembly
(Raij Mels).
 Their importance in Assam socio-political history is immense but they were not
POLITICAL organizations.
 They highlight the proverb “Raijei Roja Gyatiyei Ganga” in the true sense of the term.

Phulaguri Dhawa (1861)

 It was the first peasant uprising in Assam by the exploited peasants against the British
Policy of economic exploitation.
 Phulaguri is a village located near Nogoan inhabited by the Tiwa Community whose
basic occupation was the cultivation of Poppy.
 British government banned opium cultivation but they themselves were selling opium
extracted from poppy seeds.
 This agitated the community. Moreover there were news that the British too will impose
tax on Tamul-Paan(areca nut and betel leaves).
 In September 1861,the peasants organised a Raij Mel, where it was decided to submit a
petition to the Deputy Commissioner (Herbert Sconce) requesting the removal of the
ban and also non-imposition of the tax on tamul-paan.
 The Deputy Commissioner did not pay any heed and this led to protest and accordingly
for 5 consecutive days (from 15th October), the public held Raij Mels.
 The number of peasants in the meetings increased from 1000 to 4000 armed with
bamboo sticks.
 Admist all this, Deputy Commissioner sent his Assistant Lieutenant Singer to attend the
meeting.
 The public made Singer understand their demands but the former ordered his soldiers to
snatch away the bamboo sticks from the peasants.
 However his soldiers failed to do so and one peasant struck Singer on his head and the
peasants joined ultimately killing Lieutenant Singer.
 Singer died on spot and his body was thrown into the Kollong river.
 This incident is recorded in Assam history as Phulaguri Dhawa.

 Many peasants were captured after this and on charges of murder many were sentenced
to death. Lakhan Deka, Songbor Lalung and Rangbor Deka were sentenced to death.

 Other accused were sent to Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Kalapani).

Importance of the Revolt

1. Mass Uprising- Peasants got support from every section (aristocrat, middle class,
Kaibartta community, elite class etc)
2. Government did not impose tax on Tamul-Paan.
3. Inspired latter events.
4. Common people’s attempt to free themselves from the clutches of the British empire.
5. It can also be seen as the beginning of Non- Corporation movement which later on
Mahatma Gandhi implemented during the Freedom Struggle.
Note: Even after the Phulaguri Dhawa the British government did not take any measures to
wipe away the miseries of the peasants. Infact in 1892, the Chief Commissioner of Assam,
Sir William Ward increased the taxes to 70-80%. This led to a series of revolts known as
Assam Riots.

Peasant Revolt of Rangia

 Cause of Revolt: 100%increase in land revenue
 It began on 24th December 1893, when the people of Rangia ransacked the Rangia
market. Moreover, people staged a demonstration on 10th January 1894 in which they
raised the slogan of not paying the increased revenue.
 McCabe the Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup, imposed a ban on holding any Mel.
 All the important leaders of the revolt were soon arrested by the police and the revolt lost
its edge.
Lachima Revolt
 21st January 1894 the incident took place for the same reason as that of the Rangia.
 The only difference was that the rebels of Lachima took recourse to violence.

Peasant Revolt of Patharughat (1894)

 Patharughat is a place in Mangaldoi circle of Darrang district where peasants turned on
a revolt due to the increase in revenue collection.
 The peasants organised Rai Mels, planning a huge public assembly for three days 26-28
January in Patharughat.
 This news was informed to the then Deputy Commissioner J.D.Anderson who
alongwith a force comprising of police and military personnel and the Police
Superintendent J.R.Berington arrived in Patharughat on 27th January.
 The peasants properties were confiscated and when the officials announced that under no
circumstances will the tax be reduced, the peasants protested against it.
 On orders of Berington, the police fired on the gatherings present there. Even though the
farmers tried to fight back with the sticks they had with them, they could not match the
British for the sudden firing. On that fateful day, hundereds of people were injured
and around 140 of them were killed on spot.
 This is the reason why the Revolt of Patharughat is popularly known as Assam’s
Jallianwala Bagh.
Ethnic (TRIBAL) Revolt
Parallel revolts were going on in the hills against the colonial rule.

Jaintia revolt

 These people burst out in rebellion when the British Government imposed house tax and
stamp duty.

 These people felt that they have lost their freedom to the British when the later imposed
House tax and stamp duty on them.

 So they raised their voice through a rebellion which lasted from 1860-1863.

U Tirot Singh
 The Khasi tribe under the leadership of U Tirot Singh led a rebellion against the British.
 Reason: Construction of a road across the Khasi hills joining the two valleys of the
Brahmaputra and Surma.
 The Khasis got the impression that after the completion of the road, the British would
levy tax from them.
 So under the leadership of Tirot Singh, they attacked the British officials posted there
and killed them. The conflict between the Khasis and British continued for almost 4
years and ended with the surrender of Tirot Singh in 1834 AD.

The revolt of Nagas, Garo and Lushais

 These people too were discontented with the British not because of the imposition of any
tax but for the curtailment of certain rights being enjoyed by them since long.
 They were freedom loving people who could not tolerate the dominance of some
outsider.
 However British captured their territory into their province and brought them under the
British rule.

Previous Year Questions-APSC

1. Who was hanged with Maniram Dewan? (2017)
a) Dutiram Baruah
b) Pioli Phukan
c) Pioli Baruah
d) Farmud Ali
2. The first rebellion against the British rule in assam in 1828 was led by
(2000)
a) Piyali Phukan
b) Maniram Dewan
c) Gomdhar Konwar
d) Piyali Barua
3. Year 1894 is related to (2000)
a) Phulaguri Dhawa
b) Rangia revolt
c) Patharughat revolt
d) None of the above

Growth of Assamese Nationalism

 The voice of dissent against the British rule found expression in the writings of several
prominent personalities of the time arousing feelings of nationalism in the region.
Several socio-cultural organisations were formed to highlight the problems and
aspirations of the common people.

1. Asomiya Bhasa Unnati Sabha

 Assam witnessed the growth of a newly emerged educated middle class by the middle of
the 19th century.
 They took steps to make the people aware about the Assamese Language.
 Inorder to organise the masses, an organisation called the Gyan Pradyani Sabha was
the earliest one to be initiated by Anandaram Dhekial Phukan and Gunaviram Barua
in 1857.
 The British government with their motive of divide and rule introduced Bengali language
in place of Assamese language in schools, offices and courts in Assam in 1836 AD.
 Assamese language already had its independent identity; therefore this move was not at
all acceptable to the people of Assam.
 This issue was retaliated by the Assamese people and in 1873, the Assamese Language
was re- introduced.
 Strong initiatives taken to improve Assamese language and literature
2.Assamese Literary Society (1872)
 Active till -1885
 Leadership: Devicharan Baruah and Ganga Gobinda Phukan

3.Asomiya Bhasa Unnati Sadhini Sabha (1888)

 Leadership: Hemchandra Goswami, Lakshminath Bezbaruah, Kanaklal Barua,
Ramakanta Barkakati and Chandrakumar Agarwala.
 First initiative taken: introduce a correct and standardised grammatical book
 The government undertook the publication of Hemchandra Barua’s “Hemkosh”.
 ABUSS published a journal Jonaki which ushered in a new era in Assamese literature.
4. Assam Chatra Sanmilan
 First student organisation of Assam
 First session held in Guwahati on 25th December 1916 under the Presidentship of
Lakshminath Bezbaruah. Their mouthpiece was Milan.
5. Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha
 Founded in 1884 at Jorhat by Jagannath Baruah.
 Aim: To deliver and represent the wishes and aspirations of the people to the British
government.
 This Sabha strongly opposed the Partition of Bengal in 1905.
 It became weak after the expiry of Jagannath Baruah and survived till 1921
6. Ahom Sabha/Ahom Association
 Formed 1893 by Padmanath Gohain Baruah
 First Session was held at Sivasagar in 1893 AD.
 AIM: was to demand for privilege for the Ahoms in the British administration and to
revive their traditional religion, language and social customs, thereby re-establishing the
cultural identity of Ahoms.
 In 1910 this Sabha was renamed to Ahom Association and became a political
organisation.
7. Assam Association
 Formed in 1903 by Manik Chandra Barua.
 In 1905, the first session was held in Dibrugarh. In this session Raja Prabhat Chandra
Barua was formerly elected as President, Jagannath Baruah as Vice-President and
Manik Chandra Baruah as General Secretary.
 This association opposed the incorporation of Assam into a single province, named
Eastern Bengal and Assam in 1905.
 In 1907 it submitted a memorandum to the Secretary of State for India to separate Assam
from East Bengal.
 The association demanded the introduction of Montague- Chelmsford Reforms of 1919
in Assam by sending KARMAVEER Nabin Chandra Bordoloi and Prasanna Kumar
Barua to London and also a team of 7 members to Calcutta in 1917.
 This association actively participated in the Non- Corporation Movement. Finally in
1921 the Assam Association merged with the APCC.
8. Assam Provincial Congress Committee(APCC)
 First President: Chobilal Upadhyay (President of the meeting)
 Later Presidents’: Kuladhar Chaliha, Tarun Ram Phukan
 Members: Gopinath Bordoloi, Bimala Prasad Chaliha, Chandranath Sarmah etc.
 Under the initiative of this committee itself, Mahatma Gandhi was invited to Assam in
1921.
 Objective of the visit: To propagate the message of Non-Corporation amongst the
masses.
And implement the principals of swadeshi.
 In 1926, the 41st All India Congress Committee session was hosted by the APCC at
Pandu, Guwahati which was presided over by Srinivasa Iyengar.
 The first officially elected President of the APCC was Bishnuram Medhi who was
elected in 1930 for a period of 9 years.
9. Assam Sahitya Sabha
 It was founded as a non-profit organisation in the field of Assamese literature and the
culture of Assam.
 First conference of Assam was held in the month of December 1917. Famous exponent
of Assamese literature, Padmanath Gohain Barua was the first President of that
conference.
 Objective: Promote the literature and culture of Assam.
 Swadeshi Movement and Assam
Partition of Bengal (1905)
 A new province was declared, which included Eastern Bengal and Assam.
 At that time, Lieutenant Governor of Dacca J.B.Fuller was appointed as Chief
Commissioner of Assam.
 Apart from the tea planters and a section of Muslims in Eastern Bengal and Surma
Valley, Assam protested against the Partition of Bengal.
 The newly formed provinve, comprising of Assam and East Bengal was first named as
“ Eastern Bengal” and the name ‘Assam’ was dropped from the title.
 The European Tea Planters Association in Assam prtotested against this and argued
since the name ‘Assam’ is associated with tea in the International Market.
 Later the British understood the importance and therefore changed it to Eastern Bengal
and Assam.

Swadeshi and boycott

 Leaders in Assam led the movement were Padmanath Gohain Baruah, Ambikagiri
Ray Choudhary, Triguna Barua, Rakim Bora etc.
 Asom Kesari Ambikagiri Raychodhury and Govinda Lahiri formed revolutionary
organisation among the students of Guwahati.
 They called for using indigenous goods and boycott foreign goods.
 Ambikagiri Raychoudhury wrote a revolutionary drama ‘Bandini Bharat’. He also
established a revolutionary organisation ‘ Seva Sangha’ alongwith the revolutionary
activists Khudiram Bose, Barindra Ghosh, Ullaskar Dutta etc. of Calcutta.

Response of the Government

Lenient Measures

 Introduction of Assamese language and literature in the syllabus of entrance exam of

Calcutta University.

 Providing bachelor degrees in all the departments in Cotton College.

 Re-introduction of the Mouzadari system in the Brahmaputra Valley.
 Introduction of 20 point settlement of land.

All these turned out to be indirect benefits of the Swadeshi Movement for Assam
Repressive measures
 Issued the Carlyle and Risley Circulars which ordered the management of
educational institutions to make sure that students did not participate in any protest
against the government.
 Meetings and processions were banned and political leaders jailed.
 The press was heavily censured.
 Many agitators were jailed or even deported.
 All these measures provoked the youth to take up revolutionary activities in Bengal and
as a parallel, in Assam, large numbers of secret socities were formed.
 Tarun Sangha, Suhrid Samiti Arunachal Ashram were very active in the Surma
Valley. Seva Sangha (founded by Ambikagiri Raychoudhury) developed into a
revolutionary organisation in the lines of Anushilan Samiti.

Non-cooperation movement and Assam (NCM)

 When the call for NCM was given, one section led by Ganga Gobinda Barua, Tara
Prasad Chaliha, Ghanshyam Barua and Chandradhar Barua, all thought that the
Asam Association had to maintain its separate identity inorder to fight for local issues
with the British.
 Later, in the annual conference of Assam Association held at Tezpur on December, 1920,
Assam Association decided to participate alongside INC in NCM and finally, in 1921
Assam Assoc iation got merged into APCC.

Impact of the movement

 Chandradhar Sharma, Hemchandra Barua, Omeo Kumar Das,Mohibuddin Ahmed
organised the youths and successfully boycotted the government educational institiutions
and in their place, national schools were set up at Guwahati, Nalbari, Tezpur, Sivasagar,
Nagaon etc.
 Nabin Chandra Bordoloi, Kuladhar Chaliha, Tarun Ram Phukan boycotted the
court practices and participated in active politics.
 Business of salt was adversely affected by NCM.
 Reduce use of Opium, after Gandhiji appealed to the Congress workers. This affected the
British Opium trade.
Role of Assamese women
 Active participation of women like Bidyut Prabha Devi, Girija Devi, Nalini Bala Devi,
Pushpalata Das, Guneswari Nath and Chandraprabha Saikiani.
 They organised large meetings in rural and urban areas to spread the message of
non-cooperation, swadeshi and constructive work.
 Mungri Maam or Malati of Lalmati tea garden gave up alcohol on the call of Gandhiji
and she was the first martyr of the NCM in Assam. She died in a clash that occurred
during the picketing of liquour shops.
 In Gobedori( Kamrup District) Bhanumati Talukdar mother of 3 children left her home
to join the Congress.
 She is popularly known as Voluntariny Baai. Gandhiji gave Bhanumati Talukdar the
title Sarojini of Assam.

Swarajists in Assam
 In Assam the Swaraj Party was formed with TArun Ram Phukan and Rohini Kumar
Choudhury as its President and Secretary, respectively and Gopinath Bordoloi as its
Assistant Secretary.
Constructive Works
 While the Swarajits carried on their struggle in the council, the Congress workers carried
on their grass-root works on rural reconstruction with emphasis on the promotion of
Khadi, National Education, Communal Harmony, Boycott of foreign cloths and
anti-liquor and anti-opium propogation.
 Ambikagiri Raychoundhury founded the Sangrakshini Sabha through which voice
was raised for the demands of the Assamese people within the Congress framework.
 His works attracted Padmanath Gohain barua and Nilumoni Phukan who also
participated in these constructive works.
 The 41st Congress Session was held at Pandu where Gandhiji also participated. [to
accommodate all the delegates the pandal was built with bamboo and mud and was
adorned with Khadi.
Simon commission and Assam
 In Assam, the first manifestation of Public anger was expressed at a public meeting at
Sylhet in November, 1927. A meeting at Jorhat suggested for the appointment of a
parallel commission comprising of Indians, after condemning the Simon Commission.
 The Muslims were divided on this issue, and accordingly, there were two factions. The
first faction, Anjuman-i-Islamia, decided to welcome the Commission, whereas the
pro-Jinnah faction, led by Abdul Matin Choudhury called upon both Hindus and
Muslims to make the boycott a success.
 The day Simon Commission reached India o 3rd February, 1928 many towns in Assam
observed hartals.
 The commission decided to visit Assam on January, 1929 and while preparing for the
visit, the Governement constituted a seven-member committee of the Assam legislative
council for the purpose of cooperating with the commission. This proposal was met with
strong protests.
 Assam Chatra Sanmilan which was until 1928, a non political organisation made
political resolutions for the first time in 1928.

Previous Years’ Questions- 2020 APSC

1. During 1540 and 1587, King Naranarayan ruled over the undivided Koch Kingdom of
Kamata, and subsequently subjugated the entire Brahmaputra valley, including the Ahom,
Kachari, Tripura and Manipur Kingdoms. What was the real name of King Naranarayan?
a) Nara Singh
b) Sukladhvaj
c) Malla Deb
d) Parikshit
2. As a great patron of Shakta Hinduism, an Ahom King built the Umananda Temple on
Peacock Island of Guwahati around 1694 AD. Who was he?
a) Siva Singha
b) Rudra Singha
c) Gadadhar Singha
d) Rajeswar Singha
3. King Siva Singha entrusted Krishnaram Bhattacharya, a Shakta priest from Nawadwip in
West Bengal, to manage the Kamakhya Temple. How do we know him more popularly?

a) Kamrupiya Gosain
b) Kamakhya Gosain
c) Parbatiya Gosain
d) Nawadwipor Gosain
4. Chao Suhunmung was the first Ahom King to adopt a Hindu title, indicating a move
towards an inclusive polity. Which Hindu name did he take?
a) Swarganarayan
b) Durlavnarayan
c) Udayaditya Singha
d) Jayadhwaj Singha

Lahore Session of INC 1929 and its impact in Assam

 The decisions to boycott the legislatures was initially not met with full spirit but later,
Tarun Ram Phukan resigned from the Central Legislative Council, and along with
him, 14 others resigned from the Assam Legislative Council.
 26 January, 1930 as the first Independence Day was celebrated in Assam in very high
spirit
 Tarun Ram Phukan resigned from the AICC and together with Gopinath Bordoloi
and R.K.Choudhury formed the Assam Swaraj Party and decided to contest
elections.

Civil Disobedience Movement and Assam

 The people of Assam enthusiastically participated in the CDM.

 Leaders like Hemchandra Barua, M.Tayebullah, Bishnuram Medhi and
Ambikagiri Ray Choudhury assembled at Judge’s Field at Guwahati and expressed
their solidarity and support with Gandhiji’s Salt Satyagraha.
 Leeladhar Baruah then studying at Calcutta joined the Salt Satyagraha.
 Many committees and associations were formed and their prime objectives were to
raise fund, defiance of repressive laws and ordinances, boycott of the British goods
and anti-opium and liquor campaign.
 In 1930, Pushpalata Das a young Satyagrahi at the age of 6 only joined the Banar
sena to propagate Khadi. She along with Punya Prava Barua and Jyotsna
Mazumdar formed Mukti Sangha to organize women during the CDM and
contributed towards popularizing the Swaraj demand.
 The Assam Pradesh Congress and the Assam Youth League were banned because
they were believed to have provoked the students to join the CDM . Under the Crime
 Act, the non- violent Satyagrahis were brutally punished and thousands of protestors
were sent to prison.

Government of India Act, 1935 and Assam

 The GOI Act 1935 gave Assam a Bicameral Legislature: Legislative

Council(Upper House) and Legislative Assembly (Lower House). The Council’s
membership was fixed at 22, out of which 18 were to be elected and four to be
nominated.
 The Assembly was to have 108 seats with representatives from various communities.

Election of 1936 in Assam

 In the election of 1936, Congress in Assam won with the majority of 33 seats, and
Gopinath Bordoloi was elected as the leader of Congress in the Legislative
Assembly.
 Though Congress was able to form a coalition government; however, Gopinath
Bordoloi preferred to act as the opposition leader, which gave way to Syed
Mohammad Saadullah, a leader of Muslim group in Brahmaputra Valley, to form
the government.
 Therefore, Saadullah formed the government with support of Europeans and other
representatives.

Syed Muhammad Saadullah Government

 He headed the first coalition ministry from 1st April 1937 to 18th September 1938.
 In 1937, Saadullah joined the Muslim League of Surma Valley.
 On 18th September 1938, he resigned while avoiding no-confidence motion and
Gopinath Bordoloi was given the opportunity to form the government by the
Governor.

The Coalition Government

 With support from the Tribal League, independent members and 22 members who
were outside the Muslim League, Gopinath Bordoloi formed the coalition
government as its Chief Minister on 19th September 1938.
  In 1939, as World war II broke out and the Congress decided not to support the
British government, Gopinath Bordoloi like many , resigned following an appeal by
Gandhiji to do so.

The Second Ministry of Muhammad Saadullah (1939-1941)

 Saadullah formed the second ministry on 17th November 1939.

 He contributed one Lakh rupees to the war fund to help the British and also formed an
armed force called Assam Regiment.
 On one occasion, the students were opposing a science- based exhibition held at
Cotton College to collect money for war during which a student was being beaten for
the same.
 This incident along with other initiatives taken by the government angered Rohini
Kumar Choudhury, the then Education Minister who resigned and this ultimately
compelled Saadullah to resign on 12 December 1941.

Governor’s Rule [25 December 1941- 24 August 1942]

 The Government then formally invited Gopinath Bordoloi, the leader of the single
largest party, to form a ministry, which Bordoloi refused and stated that Bordoloi
government would extend support to R.K. Choudhury to form the government.
 The British government knew that Choudhury government would be an unstable one
and so under section 93 of the Government of India Act, 1935, the right to govern
Assam went to the Governor, Robert Neil Reid and thus began the Governor’s rule
from 25th December 1941 and stayed in existence till 24 August 1942.

Quit India Movement and Assam

 In Assam, the key leaders were sent to jail, and many organisations including the
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, District Committee, Shanti Sena and others
were declared illegal.
 Sabha-Samiti gathering procession, hartals declared illegal.
 Gopinath Bordoloi and Siddhinath Sarma were arrested by the British in Dhubri while
returning from Bombay after attending the Congress Working Committee meeting.
Other Congress leaders such as Bishnuram Medhi, Bimala Prasad Chaliha,
 Md.Tayebullah, Omeo Kumar Das, Debeswar Sharma etc were arrested from
different parts of Assam and thrown into jails.
 Assam too burned like the rest of India and many people leaving the path of Non
violence engaged in violence.
 Under the above circumstances, Saadullah was given the power to rule and on 25th
August 1942 he was invited to form the government which he accepted.
 Initially, in Assam, the Quit India Movement started with the principle of
non-violence but gradually it changed its character as the British started using brutal
tactics to suppress the movement.
 The rail lines of Sarupathar of Golaghat was destroyed for which British found
Kushal Konwar guilty, though there was not a single proof against him, still he was
hanged.
 Kushal Konwar was the only martyr who was hanged during QIM.
 Kanaklata Baruah also called Birbala and Shaheed was an Indian freedom
fighter who was shot dead while leading a procession bearing the National Flag
during the movement. Kanaklata Barua joined the Mrityu Bahini, a death squad
comprising groups of youth from the Gohpur sub-division of Assam.
 While trying to hoist the National Flag, the police fired upon the procession. Baruah
was shot, and the Flag she was carrying with her was taken up by Mukunda Kakati
who too was shot at.
 Baruah was only 17 years of age at the time of her martyrdom.
 Many leaders like Sankar Chandra Barua, Mahendra hazarika, Jyoti Prasad
Agarwalla, Gahan Chandra Goswami and Lakshmi Goswami all has to
underground themselves during the movement.
 In 1940 the women wing of Congress was formed in national and provincial level. In
the same year in Assam also, the women wing was formed.
 Pushpalata Das and Amalprabha Das were given the charge of Secretary jointly for
the wing.
 Women during QIM in Assam played an important role by being part of both Shanti
Sena and Mrityu Bahini.
 Martyr Kanaklata Baruah, Bhudeswari Hazarika, Ratnabala Phukan, Kahuli
Nath and Damayanti Bora were the members of “Mrityu Bahini”.
Assam’s Role in Cabinet Mission, Independence and Partition

Cabinet Mission

 The Cabinet Mission Plan declared that India would have a federal government
including the princely states and the provinces of British India.
 The Mission rejected the idea of Pakistan and it was decided that the provinces of
British India would be divided into three groups:
1. Group A would consist of Hindu Majority provinces consisting of Madras, Bombay,
Bihar, Orissa, Central Provinces and United Province of Agra and Awadh.
2. Group B would consist of Muslim Majority provinces consisting of Punjab, Sindh,
Baluchistan and North-West Frontier Provinces.
3. Group C would consist of Bengal and Assam having equal number of the Hindus
and Muslims.
 The Mission’s proposal to Group Assam with Bengal was strongly resented by the
people in Assam. Assam would lose her identity and individuality as Assam was
never a Muslim majority province.
 On 1st April 1946, Gopinath Bordoloi had an interview with the Mission. He
strongly protested inclusion of Assam into Group C.
 He argued Assam was already a province formed on linguistic and cultural basis
enjoying provincial autonomy.
 He pleaded that Assam must be allowed full fledged unit. He even favoured
separation of Sylhet district from Assam and rejected Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s
demand for Pakistan.
 Except Muslim League, all quarters in Assam protested against this grouping
scheme.
 The Cabinet Mission’s announcement of the proposal came out on 16th May 1946,
APCC then in its session at Guwahati lodged an emphatic protest with the
Congress Working Committee against it.
 A resolution was passed against this proposal and it was moved by the Chief
Minister Gopinath Bordoloi himself.
 He infact sent Bijoy Chandra Bhagawati and Mahendra Mohan Choudhury
to meet and inform Gandhiji about the emergent situation.
  Gandhiji too sympathized with Assam’s stand and said that Assam would be
finished if she fails to maintain her stand.
 Finally, Gopinath Bordoloi succeeded in convincing the other Indian leaders about
the justness of Assam’s case and in getting this part of the Cabinet Mission’s Plan
scrapped.
 Thus, Gopinath Bordoloi played a major role in securing the future of Assam
which would have been included in East Pakistan otherwise.

Independence, Partition and Assam

 India’s Independence – 1947

 Following the Mountbatten plan on Partition on 6 and 7 July 1947, mass voting in the
form of referendum was conducted in Sylhet, whereby 56% people had supported
Sylhet to become the part of Pakistan and 43% people voted for undivided Assam to
be the part of India.
 Therefore, Sylhet district became part of East Pakistan and Cyril Radcliffe was
given the responsibility of marking the boundary line between East Pakistan and
Assam. [Radcliffe Line]
 After independence, Assam was formed with other parts than Sylhet. But three police
stations of Sylhet namely Pathar Kandi, Ratabari, Badarpur and half part of
Karimganj police station were included in Assam.
 Finally Assam retained its identity by forming herself as an independent state and also
became part of India by Integration with India as her constituent state.

Previous Year’s Question –APSC

1. Who did not belong to Jonaki Yug?(1998)

(a) Lakshminath Bezbaruah
(b) Chandrakumar Agarwalla
(c) Hemchandra Goswami
(d) None of the above
2. The first rebellion against the British rule in Assam in 1828 was led by (2000)
(a) Piyoli Phukan
(b) Maniram Dewan
(c) Gomdhar Konwar
(d) Piyali Baruah
3. Which district was separated from Assam and given to Pakistan? (2000)
(a) Chittagong
(b) Khulna
(c) Sylhet
(d) Shala Shakar
4. Under the Mountbatten Plan, a referendum in Assam was to be held in the
district of (2000)
(a) Sivasagar
(b) Lakhimpur
(c) Golaghat
(d) Sylhet
5. A pioneer lady responsible for farming the Mrityu Bahini in Assam in
connection with the freedom struggle of the country as(2000)
(a) Chandraprabha Saikiani
(b) Pushpalata Das
(c) Rani Gaidinliu
(d) None of the them
6. The Shanti Sena Force was formed in Assam during the Independence
Movement before the commencement of the (2013)
(a) Quit India Movement
(b) Civil Disobedience Movement
(c) Non-Corporation Movement
(d) Ahom Association
7. Under the Mountbatten Plan, a referendum in Assam was to be held in the
district of(2013)
(a) Sivasagar
(b) Lakhimpur
(c) Goalpara
(d) Sylhet
8. When was Assam Provincial Congress formed?(2013)
(a) 1920
(b) 1921
(c) 1922
(d) 1923
9. The author of Asomiya Sahityar Buranji is (2013)
(a) Nathan Brown
(b) Jatindranath Duwara
(c) Debendranath Bezbaruah
(d) Gunabhiram Barua
10. The Assam region was separated from the Bengal Presidency in (2013)
(a) 1874
(b) 1889
(c) 1861
 (d) 1826
11. The British made aerodrome at Barnagar, Sarbhog was set ablaze under the
leadership of Brajanath Sarma in (2013)
(a) August 1942
(b) August 1842
(c) September 1942
(d) August 1941
12. Who was hanged with Maniram Dewan?(2017)
(a) Dutiram Barua
(b) Pioli Barua
(c) Pioli Phukan
(d) Farmud Ali
13. Year 1894 is related to (2017)
(a) Phulaguri Dhawa
(b) Rangia Revolt
(c) Patharughat Revolt
(d) None of the above
14. 1836 was crucial in case of Assamese language and literature because (2017)
(a) Assamese was reinstated as an official language of Assam
(b) Bengali was introduced as an official language of Assam
(c) First Assamese novel was published
(d) First magazine was published from Calcutta

ASSAM GEOGRAPHY
Physical Features and Major Physiographic Divisions
Location

 Two river valleys basically : Brahmaputra valley and Barak Valley

 Brahmaputra Valley is divided into 3 regions:

1. The Uttarpar or Uttarkula

2. The Dhakhinpar or Dakhinakula
3. The Majuli and other river islands formed by the river Brahmaputra.
 Length of Brahmaputra within Assam is about 720 km and it is on the average 8 to 10
km wide.
 Boundaries : 2 foreign countries and 7 Indian states
1. North- Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh
 2. East- Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur
3. South- Mizoram, Meghalaya
4. West- West Bengal, Bangladesh and Tripura.
 Decending Order [Inter-state boundary]
1. Assam- Meghalaya -723.2 km
2. Assam- Arunachal Pradesh- 704km
3. Assam Nagaland- 434km
4. Assam- Manipur- 132.8km
5. Assam- Mizoram- 130km
6. Assam- West Bengal- 128km
a. Kokrajhar- Jalpaiguri
b. Dhubri- Cooch Behar
7. Assam- Tripura- 23.3km
 Present Area of Assam= 78,438 sq km
 It covers about 2.93 % of the total geographic area of India.

Geological structure
There are three physiographical divisions of Assam:

 The Plateau region

 The folded hill region
 The plains [ Brahmaputra and Barak plain]

The plateau region

The Plateau Region of Assam is divided into two parts:

1. The Central Karbi Plateau

 The plateau is eroded and fairly subdued by age-old weathering and erosion under hot
and humid tropical monsoon conditions.
 In spite of this, the hard crystalline rocks have resisted erosion in the central part of the
plateau, which stands out as the Rengma Range.
 This range reaches a height of 1,363 m at Dumbuksu and 1360m at Singhasan.
This is the highest area of the plateau.
 The Central Karbi plateau shows two important geomorphic features:
 There are a series of waterfalls and hot springs extending over a distance of about 80km.
It includes Garampani and Fatasil waterfalls in the east and the
Champawati( Chapanala)falls in the west.
 Besides this, there is another series of waterfalls along the eastern face of the highest part
of the plateau. This part lying parallel to the Dhansiri River supports coal and limestone
deposits.
 The waterfalls and hot springs contain sulphur and phosphorus in high proportion.
 The second geomorphic feature of the plateau is the presence of a relatively low lying
east- west corridor in its middle part. This 90km long corridor is created by the age old
erosion of the Jamuna river, a mojor tributary of the Kapili.
 It may be identified as the Davaka- Dimapur corridor. It divides he plateau into two
unequal halves.

The Hamren plateau

 It is in continuity to Jaintia Hills. It rises in height from Lanka, Hojai, Jogijan and
Sahari foothills of Nagoan district towards south to Jaintia hills.

The Folded hills

 The folded hilly region of Assam is confined to the North Cachar district of Barak Valley.
It is popularly known as Barail Range.
 The folded mountainous region of Assam is a part of Patkai Hills which is a part of the
great Himalayan Range.
 The Barail ranges support the highest peaks of Assam. These include Theipibung
(1866m) Mahadeo( 1739m) and Kaukaha(1736m).
 The North Cachar Hills are not denuded and subdued like the Karbi Plateau because these
are made of young tertiary folds; the ranges are high and alternate with valleys.
 As this area is under hot and humid climatic condition, the processes of weathering and
erosion are very active that has led to development of deep valleys, gorges and steep
slopes.

The plains
 The plains are a result of alleviation of the master streams, tributaries and the
sub-tributaries, some of which are rain fed and some snow fed.

The Brahmaputra Plain

 Largest plain in North-East India. It is extending from the Lohit Plain near Sadiya in
the east to the Sankosh Plain in the West.
 The Brahmaputra Plain has the highest drainage frequency in the world.
 This fertile plain is formed by about 57 northern tributaries and 32tributaries from the
south carrying boulders, pebbles, sand, silt and soil.
Geomorphologic Variations within the Brahmaputra plain. These include:
1. Bhabhar Zone : Narrow fertile belt composed of old alluvial fans basically in the
foothills of Arunachal. This zone is densely forested and here the water generally
percolates down the surface.
2. Tarai Zone: Lies in the Southern border of the Bhabhar zone and it is a strip of flat
ground all along the north bank of the plain. The water that percolates down in the
Bhabhar zone reappears in this zone. Hence this region is damp and swampy. It normally
supports tall grass and lots of tall trees.

The Barak plain

 The southern part of Assam is occupied by the Barak Plain, which is relatively a small
one.
 The horseshoe shaped basin lies with the Barail Range in the North, Manipur Hills in the
East, Lushai hills in the south and generally merges with the Sylhet Plain of Bangladesh
in West.
 It generally slopes down westwards to 73m, near Silchar and further to 51 m near
Karimganj.
 There are large number of tributaries of Barak River; these include Jiri, Labak, Madhura,
Dalu, Jatinga and Larang in the north bank and the Sonai, Katakhal, Dhaleswari, Singla
and Langai in the South bank.

The Brahmaputra river

 Known as Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, The Brahmaputra, Lohit, Siang and Dihang in
India and Jamuna in Bangladesh.
 The entire basin of the Brahmaputra inside and outside India is about 5, 80,000 sq Km .
 It has two islands- One Majuli (largest) and the other Ummananda (smallest) in
(Guwahati) .
 NorthTributaries: Subansiri, Ronganadi, Dikrong, Buroi, Jiabharali, Dhansiri (North),
Puthimari, Manas, Beki,Aie, Sankosh are the main tributaries on the North Bank of the
river Brahmaputra.
 South Tributaries: The Nodihing, Birhidihing, Desang, Dikhow, Bhogdoi, Dhansir
(south), Kopili, Kulsi, Krishnai, Dhudnoi, Jinjiran are the main tributaries on the south
bank of the river Brahmaputra.

Notes:
 Subansiri- known as Gold river, and it is the largest tributary of the Brahmaputra.
 Lohit : It is also known as Zayu river in the Kangri Garpo range. It travels through the
red laterite soils of the Lohit basin and therefore it is known as “the river of blood”.
 Manas: It is a transboundary river in the Himalayan foothills between southern Bhutan
and India. It is the largest river system of Bhutan. It is met by three other major streams
before it again debouches into India in western Assam.
 The Manas flows through the west of the Manas National Park further it splits into two
separate rivers, the Beki and Bholkaduba.
 The river also acts as an international border dividing India and Bhutan.

Soils of Assam
Types of soil in Assam

1. Alluvial (Old and New alluvial soil)

Features:

 Contains both sand and silt.

 Old alluvium: Sandy but hard, highly acidic and less fertile, amount of Potash and
Phosphate is less. Beneficial for the cultivation of tea and sugarcane because of their
acidic character.
 New alluvium: These soils are formed of silt, sand and organic contents and are highly
suitable for agriculture. In this soil the content of phosphate, potash, calcium and nitrogen
are more and the acidity is less. It is free of salt.

Located: Floodplains of Brahmaputra and Barak, in the Island of Majuli, other char areas
and central plains of the north bank and south bank. This soil is highly suitable for cultivation
of rice, jute, wheat, banana, oilseeds, pulses, tobacco, maize, vegetables etc.
2. Laterite Soil
 Soil is having brick red colour because of high iron content. This soil is generally
deficient in Nitrogenous materials, phosphorous, acid and lime. It is highly sticky when
wet. Suitable for: Jackfruit, orange, potatoes, mangoes, radish, cabbage etc.
3. Red Loamy or Hilly Red Soil
 The hilly red soils are rich in humus, oxygen and acid content but deficient in
phosphate and potash. This soil is loose and becomes sticky in presence of water but it
develops cracks in the absence of water.
The reddish colour of the soil is because of the oxidation of the iron present in the
rock. (Precambrian metamorphic rocks)
This soil on the hill slopes are favourable for production of rice, cotton, maize, millet,
wheat, pulses, potatoes, vegetables and fruits especially orange, pineapple, pear, etc.
This soil also supports luxuriant tropical deciduous and semi- evergreen vegetation.

Previous Years’ Questions -APSC

1. The total area of Assam is (2009)
a) 80,645 km2
b) 78,438 km2
c) 79,012 km2
d) 77,901 km2
2. How much percent of the Indian landmass is covered by the State of Assam? (2013)
a) 3.39 percent
b) 2.39 percent
c) 4.39 percent
d) 2.93 percent
3. North Cachar Hill is known for(2014)
a) Graphite
b) Rock Salt
c) Limestone
d) Coal
4. In Assam, Red Soil is the main feature of (2014)
a) Bodoland Area
b) North Cachar Hill Area
c) Barak valley Region
d) Brahmaputra Valley Region
5. Baksa district of Assam was created from the parts of which of the following
districts?(2016)
a) Barpeta, Nalbari and Kamrup
b) Goalpara and Kokrajhar
c) Bongaigaon and Kokrajhar
 d) Darrang, Barpeta and Nalbari
6. Which among the following is the State Tree of Assam?(2020)
a) Titachapa
b) Nahor
c) Hollong
d) Segun

7. Which among the following cities is known as the “Tea City of India”? (2020)

a) Darjeeling

b) Dibrugarh

c) Siliguri

d) Nainital

8. The four districts under the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) are(2020)

a) Kokrajhar, Barpeta, Chirang and Baksa

b) Kokrajhar, Baksa, Chirang and Udalguri

c) Kokrajhar, Baksa, Sonitpur and Udalguri

d) Baksa, Chirang,Udalguri and Nalbari

Climate of Assam
Assam falls within the sub-tropical monsoon regime.
 The special climate characteristics of Assam are heavy downpour with high temperature
during summer and low rainfall associated with low temperature.
 In different districts of the state the mean annual maximum temperature, i.e. July-August,
ranges from 30-33 ° and the minimum temperature i.e. December- January ranges from
8-15° c.
 Assam experiences an average annual rainfall of 230 cm.
 The rainless months in the state generally are December, January and February.
 Assam may be divided into three distinct rainfall belts on the basis of nature of
distribution of rainfall. These regions are as follows:

Heavy rainfall belt: Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, TInsukia, Sibsagar, Jorhat, Dhubri,
Kokrajhar, Bongaigoan, Chirang, Goalpara, Cachar and Karimganj.

Medium Rainfall Belt: Barpeta, Nalbari, Baksa, Kamrup, Darrang, Udalguri, Sonitpur,
Morigaon, Nagoan, Golaghat and Karbi Anglong.
Low rainfall belt:

 It includes the southern part of Nagoan district.

 It forms a distinct rain shadow area north of the Meghalaya Plateau.
 The belt runs from Guwahati eastward along the Meghalaya foothills through Hojai,
Lanka and Lumding.

Agro-climatic region
 Based on the amount and characteristics of rainfall, temperatures, relative humidity,
terrain conditions and soil characteristics Assam can be divided into 6 climatic regions.
1. The Upper Brahmaputra Valley (North)
2. The Upper Brahmaputra Valley(South)
3. The central Brahmaputra Valley
4. The Lower Brahmaputra Valley
5. The Hills
6. The Barak Valley

The upper Brahmaputra Valley (NORTH)

 Zone Comprises the districts of Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Sonitor, Udalguri and Darrang.
 It is a belt of rice, tea, jute, mustard and sugarcane. Rice occupies the first and tea the
second position in respect of area covered.

The upper Brahmaputra Valley (SOUTH)

 Zone comprises the districts of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sibsagar, Jorhat and Golaghat.
 Soils are generally acidic and have high sulphur and phosphrous content. Important crops:
Rice, tea, mustard and sugarcane.

The central Brahmaputra Valley

 Zone comprises the districts of Nagoan and Morigoan. This zone is bowl-shaped and its
middle and northern parts is flood prone.
 Main crops: Rice, jute, mustard, pulse and vegetables. [NO TEA]

The lower Brahmaputra Valley

 Zone comprises the districts of Kamrup, Nalbari, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar,
Chirang, Baksa, Dhubri and Goalpara.
The Hills
 Zone consists of hill districts of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar hills.
 The Karbi Plateau is in the rain shadow area and hence it has lesser average annual
rainfall ranging between 100cm in its southern part to 200 cm in the northern part.’
 The soil of this zone is Lateritic and contains a high proportion of acidity providing
congenial conditions for citrus fruits.

The Barak Valley

 Zone consists of the districts of Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj.
 The soil of this region is sandy loam and is most neutral so far the pH value is concerned.
 Cultivation: JUTE (major)

Previous Years’ Questions- APSC

1. Assam state enjoys(2009)
a) Tropical climate
b) Hot climate
c) Warm Climate
d) Cold climate

Natural vegetation
According to the type of flora and the nature of vegetation found in Assam, the forests of
Assam may broadly be divided into:

1. Evergreen forests
2. Mixed deciduous forests
3. Riverine forests
4. Savanna forests

Evergreen forests
 Are composed of broad-leafed species where rainfall is usually heavy.
 Common feature- tall trees, presence of thick undergrowth and many creepers and lianas
at upper level.
 Both evergreen and semi-evergreen forests flourish in alluvial soil having capacity to
retain water.
 Main species: Sal, Bonsum, Titasopa, Hollock, Khokan, Gameri, Hollong, Shishu, Ajhar,
Sonaru and other species.

Economic importance
 These are used as timber, wood and as construction materials.
 Hollong and Makai are the most important trees found in this forest because they provide
raw materials for plywood industry.
 Softwoods found are used to produce plywood and tea chests.

Mixed Deciduous forests

 The deciduous forests are grown in those areas of Assam where the average annual
rainfall is 80 to 200cm.
 The major portions of the mixed deciduous forests are at stages of succession towards
climax forests with the tendency towards turning to evergreen if left to nature without
human interference or grazing.
Riverine forests
 The forest areas found in Kanamakra, Manas, beki, Pagladiya and Puthimari, Barnadi,
Nanoi etc. are instances of riverine forests.
 In the Brahmaputra alluvium of the State, the principal species of the group of forests is
Simul or Simalu.
 The Jamuna and the Kapili valley alluvium in central Assam contains the mixed type of
forests and is composed of trees like Korai, Ajhar, Uriam, Simalu, Outenga etc.and also
in the well- drained soils the better species like Sopa, Poma, Gandhsorai, Amari etc.

Savannah forests
 Grasses like Ikara and Nal are also found in his type of forests.
 The grass forests of savannah type gets burnt every year making the soil very dry and
unfit for the invasion and establishment of other species towards the climax forests.

Previous Years’ Questions -APSC

1. The National Park of Assam where the rare white- winged duck (Deohah) is found is
(2009)
 a) Nameri
b) Dibru Saikhowa
c) Manas
d) Orang
2. Of the total geographical area of Assam the total area under forest is (2009)
a) 33 percent
b) 22 percent
c) 28 percent
d) 19 percent
3. In which year, Kaziranga wildlife Sanctuary was elevated to a National Park?(2013)
a) 1974
b) 1975
c) 1976
d) 1977
4. Pani Dihing Birds Sanctuary is located in which of the following districts of
Assam?(2013)
a) Jorhat
b) Golaghat
c) Sibsagar
d) Dhemaji
5. Arrange the National Parks of Assam correctly in the order of descending size: (2013)
a)Kaziranga, Manas,Nameri, Dibru Saikhowa, Orang
b) Manas, Kaziranga, Dibru Saikhowa, Nameri, Orang
c)Kaziranga, Manas,Nameri, Orang, Dibru Saikhowa
d)Manas, Dinru Saikhowa, Kaziranga, Orang, Nameri

NOTE:
 Assam- Land of Red river and Blue Hills
 Arunachal Pradesh- Land of Dawn Lit Mountains
 Nagaland- Land of Festivals/ Falcom Capital of the World.
 Manipur- Land of Jewels
 Mizoram- Land of Hills/Blue Mountain
 Tripura- Tri( water) and Pra(near) which in totality means “near water”.
 Meghalaya- Abode of Clouds
 ASSAM ECONOMY
 North East India is often highlighted as a region which is far away from the Country’s
capital and its topographical complexities had rendered slow economic progess in this
part of the world. However, despite this drawback, Assam stands as the largest economy
in the North East India.
 Assam is a gateway to the North-East States and is well placed to serve the needs and
markets of other states of the North- East.
 Its geographical location is favourable for foreign trade with neighbouring countries like
Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, China etc.

Agricultural and food grains production

 In Assam, the soil, topography, rainfall and climate in general are conducive for
agricultural activity, mainly for the production of paddy. Therefore, the concentration of
area under paddy cultivation is high in this region.
 The area for paddy cultivation in 2016-17 was estimated at 92.5% of the total area under
food grain. While the area under wheat has declined by around 17% in the same year.
Other crops like Maize and Oil seeds have increased by 10.2% and 2.3% respectively in
2016 as compared to 2015.
 Assam uses about 54.11% of land for agricultural activities and about 80% of the states
are dependent on agriculture.

Cropping pattern
Depending on the crop production season, Assam’s agriculture can be divided into three
types:

1. Kharif crops are grown during April-May when rain starts and are harvested during
November –December. The principal Kharif crops of Assam are Sali and bao rice, jute,
sugarcane etc.
2. Rabi crops are shown during the early part of October-November and harvested during
April to June. The major rabi crop are ahu and Bodo rice, mustard, pulses, tobacoo, wheat,
maize,etc.
3. The Zaid crop cultivation is carried out during the period between the Kharif and Rabi
crop production. This kind of agriculture is dependent on irrigation.

Major crops: peas, potato, onion, cabbage, watermelon, pumpkin and cucumber.
 The hill dwellers in this region use to clear the slopes of the hills through cutting and
burning methods. This kind of agriculture is called Jhum Cultivation or Shifting
Cultivation.
 In Assam both Mono Cropping (cropping only one crop) and Multi cropping system are
in used in different districts.
 Crop rotation is also adopted by the farmers in some areas as the fertility of soils is
reduced when cultivation is carried out in same plot of land for several years.

Crop production of Assam

Paddy

 It is the Principle crop of Assam and Paddy is cultivated in 64.52% of total agricultural
land of the state.

Jute

 It is the highest cash earning fibre crop. Temperature and moist climate of Assam is
suitable for jute cultivation.
 The low lying fertile land where water remains for considerable time is used for jute
cultivation.
 The stems of mature jute plants are kept generally under stagnant water for about 20 days.
The rotten and soft are removed from the stems which are then washed in Nagoan,
Morigoan, Goalpara, Dhubri and Barpeta districts of Assam.

Tea
 Tea is the Principle cash crop of Assam.
 Assam enjoys Agro- Climatic conditions suitable for tea cultivation.
 Almost all the districts of Assam enjoys annual rainfall from 150cm to 200cm,
temperature more than 30 degree centigrade and acidic soil of low slopes.
 As a result, Assam is an important tea producing region in the world.
 There are more than 850 tea gardens and several thousand small tea gardens in Assam.
 Assam ranks second as tea producing region in the world after South China region.
 In Assam, tea leaves are plucked for two times in a year.
 First time plucking is done during March-April and second time plucking is done during
June-July.
 The tea leaves plucked during second time provide deep colour and more taste with a
malty flavour.

Medicinal plants
 Varities of medicinal plants are found in the hills and forests of Assam. There are about
300 plus species of vegetables and edible plants that are available in Assam. As many of
these plants have medicinal value, there is ample scope for establishment of plant based
industries in the state.

Horticulture
 Assam is traditionally rich in horticultural production due to its diverse and unique
agro-climatic conditions which is conducive for growing wide range of horticultural crops
like varieties of vegetables, fruits, flowers, spices, nuts, tuber crops and medicina and
aromatic plants.
 Assam is encompassed as one under 14 global bio-diversity hotspots.
 3 types of Horticultural crops in Assam:
1. Major fruits: Pineapple, bananas, coconuts, jackfruit etc
2. Major citrus fruits: orange lemon (different types)
3. Major spice fruits: ginger, turmeric, Bhutjolokia, chilli, pepper etc.

Different industries of Assam

1. Tea industry
 The tea industry in Assam is about 172 years old.
 Robert Bruce in 1823 discovered tea plants growing wild in upper Brahmaputra Valley.
 The first Indian tea produced in Assam was sent to United Kingdom for public sale in the
year 1838.
 Nazira became the headquarters of the first company named Assam Company formed in
1839.
 Later this headquarter was shifted to Calcutta in 1965.
 In 1859, the second important tea company the Jorhat Tea Company was formed.
 In 1911, the Toklai Research Station was established near Jorhat with a view to carrying
on research on cultivation and manufacture of tea.
 The opening of Tea Auction Centre at Guwahati on 25 September 1970 initiated a new
era for the tea industry in Assam.
2.Rubber industry
 The Rubber Board has identified Assam as a ‘Potential State’ from the ‘productivity’point
of view.
 The area under rubber cultivation has grown from 16.5 thousand hectr in 2006-07 to
57.65 thousand hectre in 2016-2017.

3. Sericulture
 It is one of the major Cottage Industry in Assam. It is prevalent from time immemorial
and continues to be an important labour intensive and agro-based cottage industry.
 Sericulture is a sustainable farm-based economic enterpreise positively favouring the
rural poor in the un-organised sector because of its relatively low requirement of fixed
capital and higher returns on investment.
 Muga, Eri, Oak tassar and Mulberry: Traditionally Assam exhibits its richness in
producing Muga,Eri and Mulberry and lastly oak tassar in the hill districts.
 The State accounts for higher production of non-mulberry silk, muga and eri in the
country.
 Assam has the monopoly in the world in the production of Muga, the ‘Golden Silk’as
more than 97% of Muga Silk is produced in Assam.
 Assam has also achieved the right of ‘Geographical Indication’ for Muga thread.
 This industry however faces many problems due to the changes in loom, fabric, design,
technology etc.
4. Tourism
 This sector is not only a growth engine but also an employment generator that has the
capacity to create large-scale employment both direct and indirect.
 It is the fastest growing industry in Assam.
 Assam provides its unique wildlife, natural beauty, unique flora, holy shrines, lush green
tea gardens, turbulent rivers, vibrant and colourful festivals, cuisines etc. which can be
considered as factors behind the boom of the tourism industry.

Problems of Tourism development

 Lack of a well-developed network of transport and communication has hindered the
growth of the tourism sector.
 Exclusive buses, taxis, cruisers and other means of transport for quick and smooth
movement of the tourists are poorly provided within the region.
 Lack of publicity. Though each of the North-east state has a separate tourism department
it is yet to gain momentum.
 Socio- Political unrest of the region also hinders its growth.
 Restriction in some regions as per Restricted Area Permit also affects the tourism sector.
 Lack of awareness among both urban and rural educated youth about the high potential of
tourism industry.

Mines and minerals of Assam [Natural resources of Assam]

 There are various mineral resources in Assam and so Assam is called the Treasure
House of Minerals.
 The minerals whose reserves have been detected in the region include fireclay, asbestos,
graphite, kaolin, sulphur, alum, mineral salt, shale, mica, copper, gold, gypsum etc.

Coal
 Coal popularly nicknamed as Black Diamond was discovered and mined in Assam in
Makum in 1865.
 Impurities like sulphur content is high and carbon content are moderate. Coal present in
Districts like Dibrugarh, Sibsagar, Tinsukia and Karbi Anglong.
 Among all the districts of Assam, the present district of Tinsukia has huge deposits of
coal in comparatively young Tertiary rocks.
 For Economic exploration of coal in Assam are:
(a) Lower tertiary deposits(found in Karbi Anglong)
(b) Middle and Upper Tertiary deposits (found in Ledo-Jaipur- Naginimara areas).

Petroleum
 Assam has rich deposists of crude oil. The traces of crude oil were detected in the forest
areas in 1822 at the advice of Mr. H.B.Medicott.
 Oil was first extracted at Digboi in 1889 with the help of Assam Railway and Trading
Company. Then in 1901 the Digboi refinery was established which is the best oil refinery
in India.
 Assam now contributes about 17 percent of the total production of crude oil in India.
 Bongaigoan Refinery and Petrochemical Limited(BRPL), Numaligarh and Barauni
produce kerosene, petrol,diesel,grease,wax, paraffin,naphtha, synthrtic rubber,plastic,
polyvinyl chloride
(PVC), synthetic fibre and many others by products.

Natural gas
 It is a gaseous mineral of organic origin and is generally associated with crude oil.
 Natural gas contains a high proportion of methane (80-90%) some proportions of ethane
(8-9%), propane (2-4%) and butane (0.7-1.7%)
 Assam Gas Company, OIL and ONGC are producing the natural gas.
 The important major industries established based on natural gas produced in Assam are
Namrup thermal power project, Namrup fertiliser factory, Assam Gas Company and
Assam gas cracker project.
 At present the gas produced in Assam are utilised by ONGC,OIL, BRPL the fibre plant,
tea gardens and medical plants.
 Assam alone contributes about 25% of the total gas produced by the nation.

Limestone
 Assam is rich in high-quality limestone deposit. The limestone is mainly available in
the Karbi-Anglong and Dima Hasao areas of Assam.
 It is used as raw materials in cement industries, as flux in iron and steel production, as
raw material for many chemical industries and white washing of buildings and walls
mainly in rural areas and chalk pencil used for writing.

Sillimanite
 It is a valuable mineral found in Karbi Anglong and in small quantity in Nagoan district.
 It is used in the manufacture of refractory materials, sparking plugs for automobile and in
glass industry.
 The largest boulder of massive Sillimanite in Assam and Meghalaya was estimated to
weigh 300 tons.
Fireclay
 The fireclays are occurring in the Makum coalfileds and the Assam Railyways and
Trading Company prepared firebricks and refractories from these clays for their own
requirements.

Iron ore
 Quartz- magnetic rocks are stated to be available in the Hahim area within Kamrup
district.

Challenges for industrial growth in Assam

 The topography of North East makes mining and other extraction quite dangerous.
 Location disadvantages- Assam is located in the north-eastern corner of India connected
with the rest part of India by a narrow corridor of 32km widely known as “Bengal
Duars.”
 Poorly developed Transport and Communication
 Poor infrastructural development for industrial purposes and less provisions for accidental
security. This repels many foreigners from diving into adventours.

 Bell Metal and Brass Metal as an industry has flourished in Sarthebari and Hajo area
making Assam a pride in cottage industry.

 The bell-metal industry of Assam is the second largest handicraft sector after bamboo
craft. Bell-metal is an alloy of copper and tin and the craftsmen of this industry are
referred to as ‘Kahar’ or ‘Orja’. The objects made are mostly used in domestic and
religious purposes.
 Historical records indicate that during seventh century A.D. the king of Kamrpua
Kumar Bhaskar Barma presented articles made from bell metal from Sarthebari as a
gesture of goodwill to King Harshabardhan of Kanauj in present day Uttar Pradesh. This
incident finds a mention in History of Assam by Sir Edward Gates. Thus it can be
inferred that this craft was flourishing since the seventh century, if not earlier and its
products were not only popular amongst the commoners but also equally popular among
the royal families.

Previous Years’ Questions- APSC

1. The first tea company established in Assam was (2009)
 a) Jorhat Tea Company
b) Assam tea Company
c) Assam-Bengal Tea Company
d) None of the above
2. Which of the following cottage industry workers in Assam suffer most due to the paucity
of raw materials?(2013)
a) Brass
b) Bell metal
c) Ivory artist
d) Potters and blacksmiths

3. The terra-cotta industry in Assam has developed in (2013)

a)Goalpara District
b)Barak Valley
c)Dhubri District
d)Tinsukia District
4. The Assam Gas Cracker Project at Tengakhat does not have the proposal to produce
(2013)
a)Oxo-alcohols
b) Portland cement and hollow bricks
c)Polyethylene
d)Ethylene and propylene
5. We often hear the term ‘CTC’ in the context of Assam Tea. What does CTC stand for?
(2020)
a)Crush, tear, curl
b)Curl, tear, crush
c)Check,thrash,curl
d) Check,tear,curl

ASSAM POLITY
PREVIOUS YEARS’ QUESTIONS-- APSC
1. The Governor of a state is an integral part of the (2014)
a) State Cabinet
b) Parliament
c) State Legislature
d) State Public Service Commission
2. Who administer the Oath of Office for the President of India and the Governor of a State
respectively? (2014)
a) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Speaker of the State legislatre Assembly
b) The Solicitor General of India and the Advocate General of the State
c) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India and the Chief Justice of High
Court of the State
d) None of them.
3. When was Assam detached from Bengal Presidency and was made a separate Chief
Commissioner ship?(2020)

a) 1870

b) 1872

c) 1874

d) 1876

4. Which of the following Articles empowers the Governor to appoint the Chairman
and other members of a State Public Service Commission?(2020)

a) Article 314

b) Article 315

c) Article 316

d) Article 317

9. As per the Tripartite Assam Accord signed among the Government of India, the
Government of Assam and the leaders of the Assam Agitation (AASU and All Assam
Gana Sangram Parishad) on 15th August, 1985, what was set up as the cut-off date for
detection and deportation of illegal migrants to Assam? (2020)

a) 1st January, 1951

b) 15th August, 1967

c) 26th January,1970

d) 24th March,1971

10. The maximum permissible period between two Sessions of a State Legislative Assembly
is: (2014)

a) One year
b) Six months
c) Three months
d) Ten months

11. Under which of the following Articles, additional and acting judges can be appointed in
the High Courts? (2017)

a) Article 220
b) Article 229
c) Article 224
d) Article 231
12. In India, who appoints the District Judges? (2018)

a) The Governor
b) The Judges of the High Court
c) The chief Minister
d) The President

Assam Art and Culture

 The whole of North-East is a melting pot of diverse culture. This area highlights itself as
a cultural pocket having an inter mixture of various racial stocks as Mongoloid, Indo-
Burmese, Indo- Iranian and Aryan.
 Assam in particular is a state having a large number of tribes, each unique in its tradition,
culture, dress and exotic way of life.

Temples, Monuments, Mosque, Gurudwara etc

1. Kamakhya Temple

 Located on the Nilachal Hills in the Western part of Guwahati in Assam.

 Most important Shakti Shrine of Assam.
 The temple constructed in the 9th century during the Mlechchhla Dynasty and took its
place as a center for Tantric, mysticism and sorcery. This temple has survived the
vagaries of time and several invasions, but has always managed to hold its relevance as an
important place of religious worship for Hindus.
 Structure of Kamakhya temple:
Current structure is said to be of Nilachal type (Vesara], which is another word for
architectures with a hemispherical dome and a cruciform shaped base. The temple has 4
chambers aligned from East to West.
1) Garbagriha
2) Calanta
3) Pancharatna
4) Natamandir
 The main entrance of the temple id beautifully designed with simple yet elegant carvings
that are decorated with colourful flowers. The temple has a massive dome which
overlooks the quaint Nilachal Hills in the background.
 It is especially decked up during the Ambubachi Mela and fare that is held for 3-4 days in
the month of June.

2. Ummananda Temple
 Location: Peacock Island in the river Brahmaputra, towards the North of Guwahati
City.
 This temple is mentioned in the Kalika Purana and the Yogini tantra.
 The present Ummananda Temple was built by Swargadeo Gadadhar Singha.
 Main festival: Shiv Ratri observed here
3. Basistha Temple
 Location: Sandhyachal Hills in the Southeast of Guwahati.
 Legend: Basistha Muni son of Lord Brahma, was cursed by the king Nimi that he will
lose his identity. To get rid of this curse, he meditated and prayed to Lord Vishnu, who
satisfied with his prayers brought the holy water of the Ganges in the form of three
streams- Sandhya, Lalita and Kanta.
 The meeting point of these three streams (Trisandhya) is called Basistha Ganga.
 The present day temple was built by Rajeswar Singha.
4. Aswaklanta Temple
 Location- Morigoan in North Guwahati on the banks of the river Brahmaputra.
 Legend: When Lord Sri Krishna eloped Rukmini from Vidharbha to Dwarka, the horse
fell tired and rested there.
 When Lord Sri- Krishna killed Narakasura the horses felt tired after the battle and took
rest there.
 Shiva Singha built the present day temple.
5. Navagraha Temple
 The temple id devoted to Nine Planets with Sun in the middle thus associated with
Hindu astrology.
 Location: Chitrachal Hills
 Legend: Brahma created the Stars and the Planets here and so the place got its name as
Pragjyotisphur.
 The present day temple was built by Swagadeo Rajeswar Singha.
6. Ugra Tara Temple
 Ugra Tara templeis located at Guwahati and is dedicated to Goddess Ugra Tara, an
incarnation of Goddess Parvati.
 The deity is mostly associated with the Buddhist religion.
 The temple was built in 1725 by Shiva Singha.
 This temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths. Ugra Tara temple is said to be the Peeth
where Sati’s navel felt.
7. Sukreswar Temple
 It is located on the Sukreswar Hill or Itakhuli Hill in Guwahati.
 This temple is devoted to Lord Shiva, nevertheless its premises has a Vishnu temple and
many other complexes and halls for conducting rituals and pujas.
 The temple also has one of the largest Shivalingas in India .
 This temple was built by Ahom kIng Pramatta Singha.
8. Rudreswar Temple
 It was built by Ahom King Pramatta Singha in honour of his father Rudra Singha.
 Location: It is located in North Guwahati in Mani Karneswar area on the northern bank
of River Brahmaputra.
 The temple is located at the site where Rudra Singha was cremated as per Hindu rites.
 The temple is an example of a mixed style of Ahom-Mughal architecture.
9. Doul Govinda Temple
 It is one of the most important religious spots in Guwahati Assam, located on the foothills
of Chandra Bharati Hill.
 It is one of the most revered shrines of Lord Krishna.
10. Dirgheswari Temple
 It is situated in the northern banks of the River Brahmaputra in Guwahati.
 Built by Ahom King Swargadeo Shiva Singha. This temple is considered as a Shakti
Peeth for Shakti Worship.
 Main Festival: Annual Durga Puja
11. Madan Kamdev Temple/ Devalaya
 Location: Madanchal or Dibangiri region of North Guwahati.
 The temple was built by the Pala kings in and around the 11th to 12th century.
 Madan Kamdev is also called as the Khajuraho of Assam.
12. Hayagriva Madhava Temple
 This temple adorns a number of Stone sculptures of Hunuman, ten incarnations of
Lord Vishnu and it is also a pilgrimage site for the Buddhist.
 Location: Northern Bank of Brahmaputra, in the Manikut( Maniparbat) Hill of Hajo.
 Koch King Raghudev Narayan built this temple.
 The inscriptions of Pramatta Singha and Kamleswar Singha are there inside the temple.
 The Fakua Doul inside the temple was built by Pramatta Singha.
13. Poa Macca
 Pilgrims of all faith visit here.
 Location: Garurachal Hills at Hajo.
 Ghiyasuddin Auliya, a Sufi Saint, built the Poa Macca.
 It is believed that he brought alongwith him, from the sacred land of Mecca, a Poa
(quarter) of the Earth and mixed it with the Earth on this hillock.
 It is believed that the pilgrim who visit Poa Mecca attains one-fourth of spiritual
attainment of what he could have attained by visiting Mecca.
14. Azan Pir Dargah
 Location: saraguri Sapori at Sibsagar.
 This sacred mausoleum had been established in the memory of a renowned Muslim
reformer and Saint named Ajan Fakir or Ajan Pir, Hazrat shah Miran and Shah Milan.
 He came to theNorth- east part of India for the first time from Baghdad in the 17th century.
He played a crucial role in binding the people of Brahmaputra Valley and stabilizing the
Islamic religion in the State.
 He is considered a legendary Sufi saint who composed many Muslim spiritual songs in
the Assamese language known as (Zikir).
15. Sri Surya Pahar
 Hindus, Buddhist and Jains all pay pilgrimage here.
 These are rock sculptures which dates back to the Pre-Ahom Period.
 Location: Near Goalpara
 People have found 99999 Shiva Lingas were engraved here by Vyasa in order to build up
a second Kashi (where there were 1,00000 Shiva Lingas) and once it was one of the
holiest pilgrimage sites in the region. There is no historical evidence exactly how many
Lingams once dotted in these hills, but still there are hundreds of them
16. Sikh Gurudwara in Dhubri
 Established by Ninth Sikh Guru- Guru Teg Bahadur who had accompanied Ram
Singha in his expedition of Assam.

17. Da Parvatia
 Location- Tezpur
 Skilled Craftsmanship is portrayed at the entrance of the rock-cut temple of Da-Parvatia.
The door frame is adorned with imprssive carivings of Goddesses Ganga and Jamuna.
 The Lintel is carved with images of the Garuda bird, flying geese, male and female
human figurines and flower vines.
18. Mahabhairava Temple
 Location:Tezpur
 Legends: Banaraja is credited to have established theTemple,Banaraja’s daughter
Usha had also offered prayers here.
 The present day temple is built by the rulers of the SalasthambhaDynasty in around 5-9th
century.
19. Joydoul
 Location: Sibsagar
 Swargadeo Rudra Singha built this temple in memory of his mother Joymoti and
excavated a tank named Joy Sagar.
20. Ghanshyam Doul
 It is also called as Natigohain Doul and is situated in the Western Bank of Joy Sagar
Tank.
 Swargadeo Rudra Singha brought an architect Ghanshyam from Koch Behar to build
the Rangpur town and other structures.This doul was the residence of Ghanashyam and
therefore the name.
21. Fakua Doul
 Location: Near Borduwar of the Capital City of Rangpur
 Rudra Singha made a Gold Statue of his mother and buried it under a Maidam, above
which he built the Fakua Doul.
22. Shiv Doul
 A major tourist attraction in the state of Assam is Shiva Dol. Located in the Sivasagar
district, this place happens to be one of the most famous pilgrimage spots in the
country as well. Shiva Dol is the tallest Shiva temple in the entire Northeast India. It is
the highest temple in the country as well with a height of 104 feet. The Vishnu Dol and
Devi Dol are other two small temples surrounding this tall temple and are dedicated to
Lord Vishnu and Goddess Durga. These temples are situated on the banks of the
famous Sibsagar Lake which is more than 200 years old.
 The Shiva Dol has a massive dome on top and is called the Kosoloi. This part of the
temple is made of pure gold. The pillars and walls of the temples have engravings in
the form of various Hindu Gods and Goddesses. This was a created by kings of Ahom
dynasty.
21. Malinithan
 An ancient Shakti Peeth
 Location: Southern Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh adjacent to Assam, North of
Dhemaji.
 Legend: Lord Sri Krishna, after eloping Rukmini stopped here for rest and they were
welcomed by Shiva and Parvati.
 Lord Krishna bestowed the name Malini to Parvati and hence this place came to be
known as Malini Than.
 Other legends too are associated with this place.

 This region is mostly associated with the Chutiya Dynasty

Royal Palaces, Forts and Burial Sites

Kareng Ghar at Gargaon

 It was basically associated with a royal cout.
 Swargadeo Suklengmung or Garhgaya Raja transferred his capital here.
 Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha extended this structure to seven storeys in 1751.
 At present, only four storeys are visible over the ground.
 The lower structure goes three storeys underground from which the Palace is said to have
been connected to the banks of Dikhow river via a secret tunnel which served as an
escape route.
 However the lower structure is yet to be discovered.
Talatal Ghar of Rangpur
 Royal residence of the King
 Swargadeo Rudra Singha built a part of this structure.
 Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha completed building this structure.
 This is a brick structure in its seven storeys(Talas) and thus the name.
Rang Ghar
 An amphitheatre built on Rupahi Pathar.(Sibsagar)
 Swargadeo Rudra Singha initially constructed it with wood and bamboo as a raised
platform( Changghar).
 This place was basically used by the Ahom Royal rulers and the nobility as a ground for
entertainment be it in various sports, animal fights, Bihu dance etc.
 Here only Rongali Bihu was granted a Royal status by Swargadeo Rudra Singha and
organised a seven day Bihu celebration.
 Swargadeo Pramatta Singha later built the present day Rang Ghar in 1751.
Maidam
 Burial place of the Ahoms.
 Location: Charaideo
 From the reign of Swargadeo Lakshmi Singha, after adopting the Hindu religion, the dead
bodies of the Ahom kings began to be cremated and the remaining ashes and bones were
buried at Charaideo.
 The Ahoms had a Guild called Maidamianwho looked after the Maidams. [ Shihab-ud-din
Talish looted gold and silver from the Maidams].

Paintings

 Seventh century King Bhaskara Varman gifted painting to Harshavardhana of Kannauj.

These items had equipment to paint vases/pots to contain painting colours andmanuscripts
written on Sanchi Barks.
 Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev’s Adi Dasham or Adi Dasama or the 10th Canto of
the Bhagavata Purana was a text which reflects paintings prepared with minimum
resources.
 There are 2 schools of paintings in Assam-
a) Sattriya
b) Royal Court
c) Popular Paintings
 Srimanta Sankardev painted the seven Vaikunthas and exhibited it to the public to
spread the message of Neo-Vaishnavism.
 Vrindavani Vastra: It literally highlights ‘the cloth of Vrindavan’. This silk drapery
with scenes from the early life of Lord Krishna during the time he lived in the forest of
Vrindavan was woven in the late 17th century.This ancient Assamese textile is over 9
meters long and is the largest surviving example of this type of textile anywhere in the
world. The main architect of this famous and exquisite piece was none other than
Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev. He took this task under the request of Koch king
Naranarayan, who was impressed with the stories of Lord Krishna.
 Sankardev wrote Cihna Yatra where he represented Drama through paintings.
 Paintings reached its zeneith during the time of King Rudra Singha and Shiva Singha.
 Paintings of their period reflected both local style as well as Mughal-Rajput style of
painting.

 Dilbar and Dosai were the painters during whose time, the paintings in Assam reached
its zeneith alongwith the works like the Ghora Nidan and Sukumar Barkaiths’s
Hastividyarnava.

Festivals and Folk Dances

1. Bihu
Celebrated by the communities of Assam. Three Bihus namely:
a) Bhogali or Magh Bihu: is a harvest festival with community feasts.
b) Kongali Bihu or Kati Bihu: During this stage the paddy fields are growing and the
granaries of the farmers are almost empty.
On this day, earthen lamps are lit at the foot of the household Tulsi plant, the granary and
the paddy fields to protect the maturing paddy and ward off pests and the evil eye.
c) Bohag or Rongali Bihu: This is celebrated as themost popular Bihu thereby signifying
the onset of the Assamese New Year and the coming of Spring.

2. Me-Dum- Me-Phi
 It is an Ancestor worship festival celebrated by the Ahom community.
 Celebrated on the 31st of January annually.
3. Baishagu- celebrated by the Bodo- Kachari in mid april month.
4. Ali-Ai Ligang Festival: Celebrated by the Missing tribe annually to mark the onset of
New Year for them.
Ali means ‘root’, Ai means ‘fruit’ and Ligang means ‘sowing’. So basically it denoted
harvest festival.
‘Gumrag’ dance is associated with this festival.
5. Assam Tea Festival
 Generally held in the Jorhat District
 Assam Tourism Department organises this festival.
6. Rasa/ Raas leela Festival
 Raas leela is celebrated in Majuli where Bhaona is enacted by the devouts to pay their
obeisance to Lord Krishna.
7. Karam Puja: Agricultural festival of tea tribe communities of Assam celebrated in the
full moon night(Purnima) of the month of Bhado (August- Septmeber).
8. Doul Utsav: It is also called ‘Holi’ or ‘Rang’. It is celebrated in Barpeta and other
areas by almost all. It highlights the worship of Lord Krishna and the blessings of the
divine upon the people.
9. Bare Saharia Bhaona: A 200 year old drama festival held in every five-six years at
Jamugurihat in Sonitpur District.
10. Dwijing festical of Chirang: It is organised annually by the Assam Tourism
Department, Assam Tourism Development Corporation and Bodoland Tourism.
 It is a river festival celebrated on the banks of the Aie river of Chirang District.
 It is a colourful festival highlighting the richness of the Assam culture.

 This festival provides a platform of earning for the people in the region by putting focus
on the business activities for the better economic generation through rural tourism.

Folk Dance
1. Bihu Dance
  The Bihu dance is said to have originated when the Ahom King Rudra Singha
invitated Bihu dancers to perform at the Rang Ghar fields in about 1694 for the
Rongali Bihu.
2. Sattriya Dance
 It is a dance drama performance art with origins in the Krishna centered Vaishnava
monasteries of Assam, and attributed to the Fifteenth Century Bhakti Movement
scholar and saint Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankardeva.
 One- act plays of Sattriya are called Ankiya Nats[ 6 Ankiya Nats: Patni Prasad,
Keli-Gopal,Rukmini Haran, Parijat Haran, Ram Bijoy and China Yatra(lost).
 Sattriya Nirtya is recognised in theyear 2000 as one of the 8 classical dance forms of
India by the Sangeet Natak Academy.
3. Barpeta’s Bhortal Nirtya
 Barpeta’s Bhortal Nirtya was developed by a Sattriya artist Narahari Burha
Bhokot.
 An extension of Shankari culture performed during Bihu.
4. Bagarumba
 Folk dance of the Bodo tribes.
 Sifung is a flute which is used in these performances with other instruments.
5. Ojapali dance
 Oja Pali is a classical dance form of Assam.
 Oja and Pali are actually the groups of Chorus singers and dancers, with Oja as the
leader and Palis as his assistants.
 This dance is sub-divided into 3 types:
 Vyasangeet Oja
 Suknarayani Oja
 Ramayani Oja

 Themes of these dance form highlights the Puranas, Mahabharatas, Bhagavata and
Harivamsa.

6. Jumur Nach
 Performed in open spaces by the tea community called ‘Chah Baganar Jumur Nach.’
Exact precision of foot work is there in this dance form.
 7. Deodhani
 It is a solo or group dance which is associated with the worship of the goddess Maa
Manasa or Maroi.

Literature

Ancient Period

 Charyapada- These are Couplets basically Buddhist Ballads of the 8-10th century
which are considered as the first examples of Assamese literature. The composers were
from Kamarupa and the language bear strong affinities with Assamese besided Bengali,
Maithili and Oriya.

Medieval Period

1. Hem Saraswati- Prahlada Charita and Hara Gauri Samvada

2. Kaviratna Saraswati- Jayadratha- vadha
3. Rudra Kandali- Satyaki- Pravesa
4. Harihara Vipra- Varuvahanar Yuddha(Theme- Mahabharata), Lava- Kushar
Yuddha(Ramayana) and Tamradwajar Yuddha.
5. Madhava Kandali- Saptakanda Ramayana
6. Bakul Kayastha(Mathematician)- Bhaskara’s Lilavati was translated into Assamese
(Kitabat Manjari)
7. Sankardeva- Kirtan Ghoxa, Adi Dasama, Harishchandra- Upakhyana, Bhakti-
Pradip, Nimi- Navasiddha- Samvada, Bhakti- Ratnakara, Anadi- Rukmini Harana,
Patni- Prasad, Keli-Gopal, Kurukshetra Yatra and Sri Ramvijaya.
8. Madhadeva- Naam Ghoxa (Theme: Bhagavata Purana) or Hajari Ghoxa (it
contains one thousand verses( Ghosas).Guru Bhatima ( a long poem written in praise
of his Guru Sakardeva), Bhakti- Ratnavali, Naam Maalikaa, Janma Rahasya.
9. Ananta Kandali- Mahiravana Vadha, Harihara Yuddha, Vritrasura Vadha, Kumara
Harana and Sahasranama Vrittanta.
10. Ram Saraswati- translated Mahabharata, Geeta Govinda and Vadha Kavyas.
11. Ratnakara Kandali- translated a part of Nam Ghosa.
12. Sridhar Kandali- Kumara Harana
13. Bhattadeva- (the father of Assamese prose)- Katha Bhagavata, Katha Gita, Bhakti
Ratnavali, Bhakti Viveka (Sanskrit).
14. Raghunath Mahanta-Katha Ramayana, Adbhuta Ramayana and Satrunjoy (Theme
–Ramayana )
15. Kavichandra Dwija- Dharma Purana
16. Bishnu Dev Goswami- Padma Puran
17. Ruchinath Kandali- Translated Chandi Aakhyana
18. Sukumar Barkaith- Hastividyarnava.
Modern Period

 The American Baptist Missionaries were the first to use the Assamese dialect
of Sivsagar in translating the Bible in 1813.
 In 1836, Missionaries established First printing Press in Sivasagar and started
using the Asomiya dialect.
 In 1846, Missionaries- Arunodoi or Orunodoi
 In 1848, Nathan Brown- The Assamese Grammar book
 In 1867, Missionaries- Miles Bronson’s Dictionary
 Hemchandra Barua- Hemkosh
 Gunabhiram- Ram Navami (the first social drama in Assamese), Assam
Buranji etc
 Lakshminath Bezbaruah- Jonaki (1889- Assamese Jounal)
 Rajanikanta Bordoloi- Mirijyori (First Assamese Novel)

First In Assam

1. Ambedkar Awardee - Chetona Das (2000)

2. Arjuna Awardee - Bhogeswar Saikia (1966)
3. Assam Valley Literary Award winner - Bhabendranath Saikia(1990)
4. Bharat Ratna - Gopinath Bordoloi (1998, posthumously)
5. Bibliography - Asomiya Puthir Talika (Devananda Bharali,1912)
6. Bismilla Khan Award - Sukracharya Rabha (2010)
7. Book that received Sahitya Academy Award- Bonphool(Jatindranath
Dowerah,1955)
8. Bridge on the Brahmaputra- Saraighat (1962)
9. Cabinet Minister of Union Cabinet - Fakaruddin Ali Ahmed
10. Chief Justiceof High Court- Haliram Deka
11. Judge of Supreme Court - Parvati Kumar Goswami
12. College - Cotton College (1901)
13. Daily News Paper- Dainik Batori
14. Dictionary - Asomiya Aru Engragi Abhidhan (Miles Bronson,1867)
15. Flim Studio-- Jyoti Chitraban(17th January, 1964)
16. First Assamese Children’s Novel – Patalpuri [ written by Hargovinda
Sharma]
17. Women Jyanpeeth Awardee - Mamoni Raisom Goswami (in the year
2000)
18. Gold Medalist in Asian- Bhogeswar Baruah (1966)
19. Governor- Bishnuram Medhi (Madras, 8 January ,1957)
20. Grammar - Grammar of the Assamese language[ William Robinson, 1839]
21. Historical Novel - Bhanumati [ Padmanath Gohain Baruah,1890]
22. First IAS officer - Anudoram Baruah
23. Jyanpeeth Awardee- Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya [ For Mrityunjay, 1979]
24. Modern Play - Ram Navani[ Gunabhiram Baruah, 1857]
25. Novel on tribal life - Miri Jiyori [ Rajanu Kanta Bordoloi, 1894]
26. Novel that received Sahitya Academy Award—Yaruyingam [ Dr. Birendra
Kumar Bhattacharya, 1961]
27. Padma Bhushan awardee - Nabakanta Baruah (1976)
28. Padma Sri - Parveen Sultana (1976)
29. First Phd. Assam - Maidul Islam Bora
30. Play broadcasted over AIR- Been Boraigi [ Prafulla Chandra Baruah,
1935]
31. Printed Book – Dharma Pustak[ Atmaram Sharma, 1813]
32. Printing Press - Mission Press, Sivasagar
33. First Prose - Katha Geeta [Bhattadev]
34. Radio Station - Guwahati and Shillog[ 1st July, 1948]
35. Rajiv Gandhi Sadvabana Award winner - Hiteswar Sakia [1995]
36. Romantic Poetry - Bon Kuwori[ Chandra Kumar Agarwala]
37. Sahitya Academy Award - Jatindranath Duwarah [Bonphool,1952]
38. Sangeet Natak Academy - Prabhat Sharma, Arun Sharma
39. Short Story collection - Surabhi [ Lakshminath Bezbaruah, 1909]
40. Srimanta Snakardev Award winner - Kirtinath Hazarika [1986]
41. Sonet Book - Malos [Hiteswar Barbaruah, 1918]
42. Thesis in Assamese Language - Assamese: its formation and
Development[ Dr. Banikanta Kakati, 1940]
43. First University - Guwahati University [1948]
44. Women graduate - Sukhalata Duwarah and Sudhalata Duwarah
 45. Women Minister in Union Cabinet - Ranukadevi Borkotoky.

Previous Years’ Questions – APSC

1. Bagurumba is a folk dance performed by:(1998)

a) Garo
b) Bodos
c) Missing
d) Rabha
2. Gagana is a famous musical instrument of assam made up of:(2017)
a) Cane
b) Bamboo
c) Buffalo horn
d) Teakwood
3. Which of the following became the first State/UT in India to present an e-budget
and stream it live on social media as well? Current Affairs related(2020)
a) Andhra pradesh
b) Kerala
c) Assam
d) Delhi
4. Which city has been awarded the Swachh Survekshan, 2020 award as the cleanest
city in the North- East Region and the State under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan?
(2020)
a) Sivasagr
b) Jorhat
c) Tezpur
d) Lakhimpur
5.Which tribe of Assam organized the Judima Festival in the middle of December
2020 to promote its art and culture, performing arts and ethnic practices? (2020)
a) The Bodo Tribe
b) The Dimasa Tribe
c) The karbi Tribe
d) The Mising Tribe
1. Bhogeswar Baruah was the first Arjuna Award winner from Assam in 1966. Who
 was the second Assamese to win this coveted award of Indian sports in 1987?
(2020)
a) Tayabun Nisha
b) Monalisa Baruah Mehta
c) Madalasa Hazarika
d) Toshen Bora
2. Which Assamese film won the first- ever National Film Award (the President’s
Certificate of Merit) for regional language category in 1955? (2020)
a) Piyoli Phukan
b) Maniram Dewan
c) Indramalati
d) Ronga Police
3. Aximat Jar Heral Xeema is a landmark in Assamese novel written by Kanchan
Baruah and was first published in 1945. But Kanchan Baruah is the pen name.
What is the author’s real name? (2020)
a) Brajamohan Sarma
b) Bhubanmohan Baruah
c) Medini Choudhury
d) None of them
4. The Tale of Nomadic Soul is the English translation of a famous novel by Syed
Abdul Malik. Which is that novel among the following? (2020)
a) Parashmoni
b) Adharshila
c) Aghari Atmar Kahini
d) Ruptirthar Yatri
5. The novel Abhijatri is based on the life and achievements of (2020)
a) Nalini Bala Devi
b) Aideu Handique
c) Chandraprabha Saikiani
d) Rajabala Handique