By Uma Purkayastha
The rise and downfall of U Tirot’s Sing’s armed insurrection against the British Raj mark an important historical epoch of the 19th century United Khasi and Jaintia Hills – poignant because his force was armed with traditional bow and arrow against the modern machinery of the British Indian army – resulting in the short-lived victory of the Khasi freedom fighter until he was betrayed. Following the Nongkhlaw Massacre (1829), fear gripped the British.
The end of the long four-year battle and the circumstances leading to his arrest and subsequent death under British custody in Dacca jail is a saga told in songs and stories. His fearlessness remains unparalleled, making him an exemplary leader in the history of the braves. He embraced death in custody, choosing his principles over surrender.
U Tirot Sing was indeed a striking personality, who taught his people how to fight against the evil superior power with a strong will and honest determination. A very illustrious incident of his self-prestige and dignity may be described here as,
It was 13th January 1833, Tirot Sing, accoutered in full warrior costume, escorted by his retinue surrendered very gracefully and gallantly to the British power, but very bravely addressed his beloved countrymen to express his love and gratitude to them, and requested his captors (the British) to grant full justice to the rights of the Khasi states.
While in captivity, the leader was not allowed any belongings of his own and was treated as an ordinary prisoner.
U Tirot Sing was only given a blanket to cover his body, which he protested, saying, “I am from a royal family and deserve that status to be maintained even in captivity.” Ultimately, he was treated as a state prisoner with a suitable monthly allowance and two personal attendants.
He (U Tirot Sing) passed away on July 17, 1835, at 1 pm in Dacca under British custody, as referenced in Appendix 3 of the book authored by JE Tariang, Tirot Sing, Greatest Freedom Fighter of North Eastern Region.
While his valour is known among the people of Meghalaya, what is perhaps not known are the tributes paid to him by the British, and later, his countrymen.
Initially, the British soldiers addressed him as, “A savage and blood-thirsty murderer”. After his demise, they bowed their heads to the great hero and referred to him as “A patriot of very high order”. Page 64 of Tariang’s book mentions how (even) David Scott, his worst opponent, paid glowing tributes to the patriotic impulses of the great Khasi chieftain.
The book further records how Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905, conveyed his glowing tributes to Raja U Kine Sing, (the successor of U Tirot Sing) on January 1. 1903, with the following words:
There are people still alive in these hills who can remember the days before you took your place with the circle of the great British Empire; for hardly seventy years have passed since the flag of the Empire was first planted here. Not without courageous fighting and there is much to the credit of your nation in regard of the long struggle which, however lamentably commenced, exhibited the bravery and endurance of Raja Tirot Sing of Nongkhlaw.
On March 29, 1954, the-then Governor of Assam, (L) Jairam Daulatram, unveiled the “Tirot Sing Memorial Monument” at Mairang, the birthplace of the leader of the Anglo-Khasi War. Paying glowing tributes to the Khasi freedom fighter, he observed:
Tirot Sing’s name should ever be remembered by the coming generations of the Khasis and Jaintias as that of the brave man who stood for principles and sacrificed his all for the sake of those principles.
This is a great virtue which should be a great ideal for the young Khasis and Jaintias of today, the youths of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills should reflect in their life the priceless qualities of courage and sacrifice which Tirot Sing’s career upholds before them.
Later, in an article on The People of the Frontier (1956), Daulatram said:
U Tirot Sing inherited the qualities which distinguished their (Khasis) ancestors. When forced to defend his land against the British, he showed rare courage and dignity in preferring to sicken and die in Dacca prison than to be nominal Chieftain under British suzerainty.
Paying tribute to the hero in 1988, the Government of India introduced a postal stamp in his honour. Girdhar Gomango, the then Union Minister for Communications, released the postal stamp to commemorate the memory of Tirot Sing on July 18. He also presented an album of postal stamps to Irat Manik, Syiem of Nongkhlaw at a big public meeting held at Mairang, the headquarters of Nongkhlaw.
These recorded tributes show how U Tirot Sing continues to inspire generations. He achieved full recognition for his extraordinary courage and spirit of sacrifice to protect the independence of his motherland against British bondage. It would, therefore, be meaningful to see his name mentioned among the martyrs of the Indian Freedom Movement.
(The writer is a contributor to The Meghalayan)