Khasi Uprising

After having occupied the hilly region between Garo and Jaintia Hills, the East India Company wanted to build a road linking the Brahmaputra Valley with Sylhet. For this, a large number of outsiders including Englishmen, Bengalis and the labourers from the plains were brought to these regions. The Khasis, Garos, Khamptis and the Singphos organised themselves under Tirath Singh to drive away the strangers from the plains. The uprising developed into a popular revolt against British rule in the area. By 1833, the superior English military force had suppressed the revolt.

North-East Frontier Tribal Movements: Year, Region, Major Causes

Movements Before 1857

1. Ahoms’ Revolt (1828-33; Assam); against the non-fulfilment of the pledges of the Company after the Burmese War; the uprising was suppressed by the Company by dividing the kingdom.

2. Khasis’ Revolt (1830s; hilly region between Jaintia and Garo Hills); led by the Nunklow ruler, Tirath Singh; against the occupation of the hilly region.

3. Singphos’ Rebellion (1830s; Assam); led to murder of British political agent of Assam by Singphos in 1839; was ultimately suppressed.

Movements After 1857

1. Kukis’ Revolt (1917-19; Manipur); against British policies of recruiting labour during the first World War.

2. Revolts in Tripura; against hike in house tax rates and against settlement of outsiders in the region

(a) led by Parikshit Jamatia (1863)

(b) the Reangs’ revolt led by Ratnamani (1942-43)

(c) led by Bharti Singh (1920s)

3. Zeliangsong Movement (1920s; Manipur); led by the Zemi, Liangmei and Rongmei tribes; against the failure of British to protect them during the Kuki violence in 1917-19.

4. Naga movement (1905-31; Manipur); led by Jadonang; against British rule and for setting up of a Naga raj.

5. Heraka Cult (1930s; Manipur); led by Gaidinliu; the movement was suppressed but Kabui Naga Association was formed in 1946.

6. Other Smaller Movements were the revolt of the Syntengs of Jaintia Hills in 1860-62; the Phulaguri peasants’ rebellion in 1861, the revolt of the Saflas in 1872-73; the uprising of the Kacha Nagas of Cachhar in 1882; and a women’s war in Manipur in 1904.