Tribal Revolts in North-East India

Tribal Revolts in the North-Eastern Region

• The first tribal revolt in the north-eastern region was led by the Khasis, a prominent tribe occupying the hilly region between Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills.
• The Khasis were powerful due to the presence of British troops in their neighboring territories and the attempt to construct a road passing through their area, joining Sylhet with the new Burmese areas acquired after the First-Burmese War (1824-26).
• The Khasi revolt continued for four years (1829-1833) under the leadership of Tirot Singh of Nongkhlaw, who sought to drive away the lowland strangers from their country.

Khasi Revolt (1829-1833)

• On May 5, 1829, a strong party of Khasis, aided by the Garos, raided Nongkhlaw, massacring a large number of Europeans and Bengalis, and burning European settlements.
• They released convicts employed in the construction of the road and marched towards Cherapunji in search of Mr. Scott, the Political Agent of Assam.
• Tirot Singh wanted other hill tribes to join the rebellion against the British.
• The Khasis, estimated to be 10,000 strong, caused panic among British officials.
• The British forces responded by burning Khasi villages, one after another.
• Tirot Singh surrendered in January 1833, on the promise of sparing his life.

Other Tribal Rebellions

• Another rebellion broke out in 1830, led by the Singphos, a hill tribe.
• The Assamese joined the rebellion, calling upon other hill tribes like the Khamtis, Garos, and Nagas to rise against the British.
• They attacked British troops stationed in Assam, killing many of them.

Tribal Revolts in the North-Eastern Region

• The first tribal revolt in the north-eastern region was led by the Khasis, a prominent tribe occupying the hilly region between Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills.
• The Khasis were powerful due to the presence of British troops in their neighboring territories and the attempt to construct a road passing through their area, joining Sylhet with the new Burmese areas acquired after the First-Burmese War (1824-26).
• The Khasi revolt continued for four years (1829-1833) under the leadership of Tirot Singh of Nongkhlaw, who sought to drive away the lowland strangers from their country.

Khasi Revolt (1829-1833)

• On May 5, 1829, a strong party of Khasis, aided by the Garos, raided Nongkhlaw, massacring a large number of Europeans and Bengalis, and burning European settlements.
• They released convicts employed in the construction of the road and marched towards Cherapunji in search of Mr. Scott, the Political Agent of Assam.
• Tirot Singh wanted other hill tribes to join the rebellion against the British.
• The Khasis, estimated to be 10,000 strong, caused panic among British officials.
• The British forces responded by burning Khasi villages, one after another.
• Tirot Singh surrendered in January 1833, on the promise of sparing his life.

Other Tribal Rebellions

• Another rebellion broke out in 1830, led by the Singphos, a hill tribe.
• The Assamese joined the rebellion, calling upon other hill tribes like the Khamtis, Garos, and Nagas to rise against the British.
• They attacked British troops stationed in Assam, killing many of them.