Class 10 Social History Chapter 3 Anti-British Awakening and Peasant Revolts in Assam
Are you looking for SEBA Class 10 Social History Chapter 3 Anti-British Awakening and Peasant Revolts in Assam? Then you have come to the right place. This article provides complete notes, textbook solutions, important questions and answers, and exam-oriented study materials for Class 10 students.
This chapter focuses on the rise of anti-British sentiments in Assam and the various peasant revolts that emerged against British colonial rule. Students will learn about the causes of these movements, the hardships faced by the people under British administration, and the contributions of Assamese leaders and common people in resisting oppression. The chapter also highlights the significance of these revolts in shaping Assam’s role in India’s freedom struggle.
All notes and answers are prepared in simple and easy-to-understand English, making them helpful for quick learning and effective revision. Whether you are preparing for class tests, annual examinations, or the HSLC board examination, these study materials will help you build a strong understanding of the chapter and achieve better results.
Part-I: History
Anti-British Awakening and Peasant Revolts in Assam
Selected Questions &Answers
Very Short Answer Type Questions (Mark-1)
1. During the reign of which Ahom king was the killing of NityanandaDeva, the fourth Satradhikar of the Mayamara Sattra, carried out?
Ans: During the reign of Swargadeo Siva Singha (also known as Churampha, the ‘Bhonga Raja’).
2. According to Gait, how many small states existed in the Khasi Hills?
Ans: 25.
3. What was the local Khasi name of Shillong?
Ans: Yedu.
4. By what name are the Lushais known today?
Ans: Mizo.
5. In which year did the British introduce ticket tax in Assam?
Ans: In 1858.
6. Into how many parts was Lakheraj land divided?
Ans: Into three parts.
7. In which year was slavery abolished in Assam? HSLC ’19
Ans: In 1843.
8. On which date did Captain Holroyd, the Principal Assistant of Sivasagar, arrest Charin Raja Kandarpeswar Singha?
Ans: In September 1857.
9. After arresting Maniram and keeping him in Alipore Jail, by which ship was he brought to Assam?
Ans: Koladine.
10. How many languages are spoken among different Naga tribes?
Ans: 47.
11. Which region did the British identify as the ‘North-East FrontierRegion’?
Ans: The region from the Bhutan border in the west to the plains inhabited by the Khamti and Singpho in the east.
12. What was ‘Kharikatana’?
Ans: ‘Kharikatana’ was a type of tax collected by the Burmese from the people of Kamrup during their rule.
13. In which year was J.W. Quinton killed?
Ans: In 1891.
14. The British officer killed by the people in the Phulaguri Uprisingwas ______. (Fill in the blank) HSLC ’23
Ans: Lieutenant Singer.
15. Who led the Jaintia rebellion of 1861?
Ans: Ukiang Nongbah.
16. Who sentenced Tikendrajit to death and executed him?
Ans: The British.
17. What change occurred in the revenue collection system in Assam after the establishment of British rule?
Ans: Revenue began to be collected in cash.
18. In which year did Moffat Mills come to Assam?
Ans: In 1853.
19. Who were called ‘Kenya’?
Ans: The Marwaris were called ‘Kenya’.
20. Who led the revolt of 1857 in Assam?
Ans: Maniram Dewan.
21. Which Ahom prince did the rebels of 1857 want to place on the throne?
Ans: Kandarpeswar Singha.
22. Which Bengali Muktiyar assisted Maniram Dewan?
Ans: A Bengali Muktiyar named Madhumallik.
23. Who was hanged along with Maniram Dewan?
Ans: Piyali Barua.
24. Who conducted the trial of Maniram Dewan? HSLC ’18
Ans: Captain Holroyd.
25. In which years were the ticket tax and income tax introduced?
Ans: Ticket tax in 1858 and income tax in 1860.
26. Who was Lieutenant Singer?
Ans: He was the Assistant Commissioner of Nagaon.
27. When did the Phulaguri Uprising occur?
Ans: On 18 October 1861.
28. When did the Rangia peasant revolt occur?
Ans: On 24 December 1893.
29. Where is Lachima located?
Ans: Lachima is a village located in the Sarukhetri Mouza of old Kamrup.
30. When did the Patharughat peasant revolt occur?
Ans: On 21 January 1894.
31. Who led the Jaintia rebellion of 1861?
Ans: Ukiang Nongbah.
32. Who led the tribal revolt of North Cachar in 1881?
Ans: Sambudhan Kachari.
33. When did the Lachima peasant revolt occur?
Ans: On 21 January 1894.
34. Who sentenced Tikendrajit to death?
Ans: The British Government.
35. In which year was J.W. Quinton killed?
Ans: In 1891.
36. The revolt of 1857 in Assam was led by ______. (Fill in the blank)HSLC ’23
Ans: Maniram Dewan.
Essay-type Question-Answers
1. Discuss the causes of the revolt of 1857–58. HSLC ’19
Ans: The revolt of 1857 occurred throughout India, including Assam, against British rule. The causes were:
(a) Political causes: After the Treaty of Yandabo in 1826, Assam came under British rule. The loss of independence deeply hurt the pride of the Assamese people, leading to resentment that eventually turned into revolt in 1857.
(b) Economic causes: The British imposed heavy taxes to increase revenue. Land revenue was raised, and harsh measures were taken against those unable to pay, which led to widespread discontent.
(c) Social causes: The British appointed Bengalis from Bengal in administrative posts, which hurt Assamese sentiments. Maniram Dewan was also deprived of his position, making him hostile to the British.
(d) Interference in social customs: Slavery existed in Assam before British rule, and upper-class Assamese could keep servants and bonded labourers.
The abolition of this system made them hostile to British rule.
(e) Discontent among Brahmins and Satradhikars: During the Ahom period, Brahmins and Satradhikars enjoyed tax-free Lakheraj lands. British land policies took away these privileges, leading them to join the revolt under Maniram Dewan.
2. Discuss the role of Maniram Dewan in the revolt of 1857–58 in Assam. HSLC ’18, ’24
Ans: Maniram Dewan was an influential figure in Assam. His father, Ramdutta, served as an official under Ahom king Kamaleswar Singha. During the Burmese invasion, Maniram moved to Calcutta. Later, he assisted Captain David Scott in expelling the Burmese from Assam. After the British took control, Maniram was appointed as a ‘Sheristadar’. However, he became dissatisfied with British policies and decided to restore monarchy in Assam. During the revolt of 1857, he was in Calcutta and planned a rebellion to reinstall Kandarpeswar Singha on the throne. He communicated secretly throughletters, but some letters were intercepted by the British. He was arrested in Calcutta and brought to Assam, where he was tried and executed on 26 February 1858. Thus, Maniram Dewan played a courageous role in the revolt.
3. Discuss the causes of the failure of the revolt of 1857–58. HSLC ’14,’16, ’17
Ans: The revolt of 1857 failed due to several reasons:
(a) It was not a widespread mass movement; common people did not fully support it. In Assam, the Gorkha regiment supported the British.
(b) Maniram Dewan’s activities remained limited among leaders and did not gain widespread public support.
(c) The revolt was confined to areas like Sivasagar and Jorhat and did not spread to regions like Nagaon, Kamrup, and Guwahati.
(d) The leaders failed to act in a coordinated and timely manner, enabling the British to suppress the revolt quickly.
(e) The rebels lacked a common objective; many leaders acted out of personal interests.
4. Write a note on the Phulaguri Uprising. HSLC ’17, ’19
Ans: After assuming control of Assam, the British imposed various taxes, worsening the condition of peasants. This led to widespread discontent and several revolts, among which the Phulaguri Uprising was the first. Phulaguri was a Tiwa-inhabited village near Nagaon, where people depended on opium cultivation. The British banned opium cultivation, angering the people. On 15 October 1861, people gathered for five days in a ‘Raij Mel’ (public assembly). The Deputy Commissioner of Nagaon, Lieutenant Herbert, sent Assistant Commissioner Singer to suppress the gathering. When Singer ordered the police to seize the sticks of the peasants, a scuffle broke out. During this, a man named Babu Kaibarta struck Singer on the head with a stick, killing him on the spot. The police fled in fear. After the incident, many peasants were arrested and punished. Lakhan Deka, Chongbor Lalung, and Rangbang Dekawere sentenced to death, while others were deported to the Andamans.
5. Give an account of the peasant uprising that took place in North Kamrup in 1894. HSLC ’18
Ans: In 1892, the government introduced a new classification of land in the Brahmaputra valley and increased land revenue by 35 percent. The peasants protested against the increase in tax and submitted written petitions to the government. However, despite strong protests by the peasants, the government implemented the proposal and started collecting the enhanced revenue, which led the peasants to begin a revolt against the government. This uprising spread to different parts of Assam and first appeared in North Kamrup. The peasants assembled in Raijmels and resolved not to pay the increased taxes. In December 1893, several peasants gathered at Rangia and Tamulpur, attacked the British officer Radhanath Barua at Tamulpur, and vandalized the houses and shops of Rangia market. They also looted mortgage documents of land from Marwari moneylenders.
In 1894, thousands of peasants assembled at Nalbari and organized Raijmels against the government. The government strongly opposed these gatherings, resulting in clashes between both sides. Several peasants were killed in these clashes. A strong protest Raijmel was also held at Borma in Nalbari district. The largest Raijmel in the Nalbari area was held at Panigaon Chapori, where peasants from Sarthebari, Patasarkuchi, Dharmapur, Bajali and other places gathered. The government suppressed these peasant uprisings with force.
6. Give an account of the peasant uprising that took place at Patharughat in 1894. HSLC ’20
Ans: A powerful peasant uprising took place in 1894 at a place called Patharughat in Darrang district. This revolt arose against the enhanced land revenue imposed by the government and its exploitative policies. The peasants gathered at Patharughat in Darrang district from 26th February to 28 th February, 1894.
At that time, the Sub-Divisional Officer of Darrang district, J. Anderson, sent military forces to confront the peasants. This led to a clash between both sides. Later, the district authority ordered firing on the peasants. As a result, 140 peasants died on the spot and about 750 were injured and wounded. A detailed account of the Patharughat peasant uprising is found in the book “Doli Puran” written by Narottam Das.
7. Discuss the importance of the Revolt of 1857 in Assam. HSLC ’19,’23
Ans: Although the revolt of 1857 against British rule failed, it holds great Significance in the political history of Assam.
Firstly, through this revolt, Assam became connected with an all-Indiaevent for the first time. Secondly, even though the revolt failed, it encouraged common people to speak against British rule. The peasant uprisings in Assam from 1861 onwards prove this.
Thirdly, the participation of people from different castes and religions led to the growth of nationalism. Fourthly, the execution of leaders like Maniram Dewan and Piyoli Barua inspired the people of Assam with a spirit of sacrifice for the country in the future.
8. Write a note on the Jaintia revolt against the British in the 1850s. HSLC ’18, ’20
Ans: The British annexed the Jaintia Hills in 1835, which greatly dissatisfied the Jaintia people. Moreover, in 1861, the British government imposed house tax and income tax on them. In protest against these taxes, the Jaintias began a revolt. The revolt was led by a Jaintia chief named U Kiang Nongbah. On 17 January 1862, under his leadership, the Jaintias attacked a British campat a place called Jowai.
In the clashes between the rebels and the government, several rebels were killed. The rebels also killed some policemen. Due to continuous attacks by the government, the strength of the rebels gradually declined. The leader UKiang Nongbah was eventually captured by the British forces and executed. Thus, the Jaintia revolt came to an end.
9. Discuss the administrative reforms introduced in Assam by Robertson and Sir Francis Jenkins. HSLC ’17
Ans: Sir Francis Jenkins administered Assam and the North-East Frontier for a long period of 21 years from 1834 to 1861. During this time, he carried out several important administrative reforms. He reorganized the districts of Assam, and during his tenure, the number of districts became six. He introduced the posts of Amin and Munsif in the judicial department. In1835, there was one Chief Sadar Amin, six Sadar Amins, and thirteen Munsifs in different districts of Assam. He also made several reforms in the police department. He organized the lowest unit of police administration called“thana,” consisting of a Daroga, a Jamadar, and one or more constables. During Jenkins’ period, several new taxes were introduced. These included a system of contracts for gold washing from river sands, a tax on fishing (jalkar), taxes on timber, grass and reeds, and grazing tax. In 1858, he introduced a ticket tax, thereby increasing government revenue. Thus, Jenkins introduced many administrative reforms in Assam.
10. Write the causes of the miserable condition of peasants and cottage industry workers in Assam during British rule. HSLC ’18
Ans: There were several reasons for the miserable condition of peasants and cottage industry workers during British rule in Assam, such as—
(a) The British government imposed excessive taxes on peasants.
(b) The British government did not take any measures for the development of agriculture.
(c) The new land revenue policies and the monetary economy led to the rise of moneylenders in Assam, due to which poor peasants who borrowed money at high interest were exploited.
(d) During British rule, the import of goods from England reduced the demand for cottage industry products of Assam.
(e) The British government did not take any initiative for the development of cottage industries and rather allowed their decline.
11. Mention the effects of the Revolt of 1857 in Assam. HSLC ’20
Ans: The revolt of 1857 against British rule in India also affected Assam. In Assam, leaders like Maniram Dewan, Gomdhar Konwar, Piyoli Barua, and Kandarpeswar Singha led the revolt with the aim of overthrowing British rule and restoring monarchy. Some rebels in the Brahmaputra valley spread discontent among Indian soldiers in the British army, which contributed to the uprising.
Members of the Ahom royal family were also involved in the revolt. The rebels planned the uprising in association with Kandarpeswar Singha at Jorhat. However, when Maniram Dewan was captured by the British government, the revolt came to an end.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
Q: Who else was hanged along with Maniram Dewan?
(a) Piyoli Barua
(b) Gomdhar Konwar
(c) Jiyuram Dulia Barua
(d) Dutiram Barua
Ans: (a)
Q: According to unofficial estimates, how many peasants died in the Patharughat peasant uprising?
(a) 135
(b) 140
(c) 145
(d) 150
Ans: (b)
Q: Who led the Jaintia revolt in 1861?
(a) Shambhudhan Kanglachar
(b) Jaflong
(c) U Kiang Nongbah
(d) Maniram Dewan
Ans: (c)
Q: Which officer conducted the trial of Maniram Dewan?
(a) Jenkins
(b) Lord Mills
(c) Lord Scott
(d) Captain Holroyd
Ans: (d)
Q. Who were the ‘Kenyas’?
(a) People of the Marwari community
(b) People of the Kachari community of Assam
(c) Bengali people of Western India
(d) People from Bihar
Ans: (a)
Q. Which two rebels were sent to the Andamans by the British government in 1858 for the Sepoy Revolt of 1857?
(a) Madhumallik and Kamala Barua
(b) Dutiram Barua and Mayam Naji
(c) Jiyuram Dulia Barua and Gomdhar Konwar
(d) Piyoli Barua
Ans: (a)
Q. According to unofficial estimates, how many peasants died in the Patharughat peasant uprising?
(a) 135
(b) 140
(c) 145
(d) 150
Ans: (b)
Q: Who led the Jaintia revolt in 1861?
(a) Shambhudhan Kanglachar
(b) Jaflong
(c) Ukiang Nongbah
(d) Maniram Dewan
Ans: (c)
Q. Which officer conducted the trial of Maniram Dewan?
(a) Jenkins
(b) Lord Mills
(c) Lord Scott
(d) Captain Holroyd
Ans: (d)
Q. In which year was J. W. Quinton killed?
(a) By Naga rebels
(b) By Manipuri rebels
(c) By Jaintia rebels
(d) By tribal rebels
Ans: (b)
Q. In which year was income tax introduced?
(a) 1828
(b) 1848
(c) 1850
(d) 1860
Ans: (d)
Q. In which year did the British abolish slavery in Assam? HSLC ’24
(a) 1821
(b) 1833
(c) 1842
(d) 1843
Ans: (d)
Q. Who led the tribal revolt of North Cachar in 1881? HSLC ’24
(a) Bir Tikendrajit
(b) Shambhudhan Kachari
(c) U Kiang Nongbah
(d) Raja Kulchandra
Ans: (b)
Q. Who submitted a petition to Moffat Mills against the increase of land revenue from Assamese peasants?
(a) Maniram Dewan
(b) Piyoli Barua
(c) Gopinath Bordoloi
(d) Anandaram Dhekial Phukan
Ans: (d)
Q. Who led the Jaintia revolt in 1861? HSLC ’23
(a) Tikendrajit
(b) Shambhudhan Kachari
(c) U Kiang Nongbah
(d) Piyoli Phukan
Ans: (c)
