By Sainkupar Syngkli
Imagine 19th century Khasi Hills – the year 1826. A group of people assemble in Nongkhlaw to sign the Treaty of 1826. One of them is U Tirot Sing, the Rajah of Nongkhlaw, while the other, David Scott, represents the English East India Company (EICC). Now, visualise a four-year-long Anglo-Khasi War (1829 – 33). The Rajah accepts death, instead of bowing down to a colonial empire, while Scott escapes to Sylhet via a narrow stretch of road.
While most people are aware of U Tirot Sing Syiem’s courage against British domination, little is known about his comrade, U Bor Manik Syiem, the Syiem (or king) of Shyllong.
The ‘Foreword’ of JE Tariang’s book, Bormanik Syiem: The Last of the Syiems of Shyllong, gives us a glimpse:
Bormanik had the rare gift of maturity and wisdom. He had even warned U Tirot Sing not to be misled by the clever tactics of Britishers by permitting them to construct roads in Khasi Hills. Bormanik’s predictions came true later. He led his country at a most critical period of freedom struggle against the mighty invading forces of the East India Company.
The ‘Preface’ of the book further records,
Unlike Tirot Sing who was always in the limelight in the famous battles fought with his courageous warriors, Bormanik was always in the background, planning and scheming for strategies of war and whose statesmanship was proved at every phase of the struggle against the forces of the mighty and resourceful enemy both in men and materials.
The political landscape of Assam changed with the first Anglo-Burmese campaign (1824-1826) and the subsequent Treaty of Yandabo (1826). The Khasi Hills lay between two important Company possessions – Assam valley and the plains of Sylhet. JE Tariang mentions how this development made him restless.
The roots of the Anglo-Khasi War were sowed in 1826 when Scott, along with Major White, entered the hills to negotiate with U Tirot Sing, Syiem of Nongkhlaw, regarding the construction of a road through his territory, to link Sylhet with Assam.
The memoir of David Scott, Political Agent to the Governor General in 1826, sheds important light on the beginnings of the war,
Teeruth Singh, the Cassya Rajah of Nunkhlow wished to rent some lands in the plains of Assam, which his ancestors had been accustomed to do from the Assamese Rajah. Mr Scott replied that he would be happy to oblige him in that respect, provided he exerted himself to induce his people to grant a free passage through his territory to British subjects, proceeding to Sylhet, or, vice versa, from Sylhet to Assam. As the Cassyas claimed a free right to enter our territory, Mr Scott deemed it but equitable that they should extend a similar indulgence to our subjects…
This led to the Treaty of 1826. It was agreed that the Syiem would construct and maintain the road. In return, Scott promised British aid, in case U Tirot Sing faced enemy attacks from neighbouring states.
U Bor Manik Syiem saw the danger of this treaty. He had, earlier, thwarted efforts of Scott to build the road – the latter sent his emissaries to contact him and received a negative response. This was before U Tirot Sing became the Rajah of Nongkhlaw.
Bor Manik saw right through the colonial designs – that of annexing the entire Khasi Hills to the East India Company. This shows his foresight. He had observed how the British had taken over neighbouring countries in the plains. He continued his untiring efforts to make the Khasi Syiems see the true nature of the British Raj.
David Scott got to know about this and termed it, “Bormanik’s conspiracy with the Khasi Chieftains”, and later realised he has underestimated him.
Directing the army to occupy his land and the “Haut (market) of Sonapoor (Sunapur), bordering Nowgong and to collect tolls and other taxes used to be collected by the State of Shillong”.
U Bor Manik Syiem responded sharply. JE Tariang mentions –
In March 1828, Bormanik went down to Desh Dimarua of the Raid of Khad-ar Bongthai of Shyllong and seized the revenue collected by the Revenue Officers of the East India Company. Scott decided that a bold action was called for and called upon the Raja Ram Singh of Jaintia and Tirot Sing of Nongkhlaw to come to the aid of the British against Bormanik. Both of them declined to come forward. After a short armed conflict, the British decided to retreat to their own territory. It appears that this event was one of the causes responsible for the realisation among the Khasi Syiems of the real motive and imperialistic design of the British.
Soon, U Tirot Sing joined hands with the latter. The two chiefs met at Mawphlang, along with other Khasi Syiems. Sngap Sing Syiem, the chief of Maharam, joined in their fight against the British. U Bor Manik Syiem not only encouraged the counter-offensive but counselled Hima Nongkhlaw, which led to the Great Nongkhlaw massacre on April 4, 1829.
The British retaliated with guns. The Khasis were expert marksmen, and almost all able-bodied youths had joined in the war. The military force of the Khasis at the beginning of the Anglo-Khasi War numbered around 10,000 – armed with bows, two-bladed swords and shields. The entire population was said to be in arms. The natural defences – difficult-to-access dense jungles compensated for the lack of gunpowder. Bormanik sent a big contingent of warriors under the command of his two brothers, Ksan Manik and Hain Manik, including few hundreds of escaped Burmese soldiers, armed with muskets. Fierce fighting took place in Bordwar, Beltola, Lyngkdait, and Majai.
The rest of the story includes valiant guerrilla warfare – one that sees U Tirot Sing hiding in two caves – Krem Siej Tyra and Krem Pyrda, until betrayed.
U Bor Manik Syiem was punished in the form of the Treaty of 1830 or Aitchinson’s Treaty No. XXXVIII, weakening the Khasi resistance.
There is much debate about U Bor Manik’s death – some say August 11 and some agree on August 18, 1832. Hit by a bullet, his warriors carried him to one of the caves below Mawreng, facing the Umiam river – here remained the last independent king of Shyllong, in an unknown grave.
(The writer is a reporter with The Meghalayan)