Class 9 Social History Chapter 4 The Burmese Invasion of Assam
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Part I: History
The Burmese Invasion of Assam
Lesson-Based Questions &Answers
Short Answer Type Questions
1. In 1784, during the reign of the Burmese king Bodawpaya, which country did the Burmese conquer?
Ans: Arakan.
2. From when did hostility begin between the Burmese and the British?
Ans: From 1824.
3. What was the name of the king of Cachar who fled to Sylhet due to Burmese oppression?
Ans: Govinda Chandra.
4. In which battle did Purnananda Burhagohain die after hearing of the Ahom defeat?
Ans: The Battle of Ghiladhari.
5. What is “Baisali Hukong”?
Ans: It was the name of a note written by two scribes who came from Burma along with Badan Chandra Barphukan.
6. What is “Baisali Mun-Dun-Chun”?
Ans: It was the name of a note written by two scribes who came from Burma with Badan Chandra.
7. Who was the Prime Minister of Assam when the Burmese army entered, along with Badan Chandra?
Ans: Purnananda Burhagohain.
8. How many Burmese soldiers did Badan Chandra bring with him?
Ans: 8000.
9. What title did Chandrakanta Singha confer upon Badan Chandra as Prime Minister?
Ans: Mantri Barphukan.
10. In which years did the Burmese invasions occur?
Ans: In 1817, 1819, and 1821.
11. After entering Assam, how many additional soldiers did Badan Chandra recruit?
Ans: 8000.
12. In which year was Badan Chandra killed?
Ans: In 1818.
Choose the correct answer:
1. The Burmese interfered in the internal affairs of Assam in 1816 / 1817 / 1819.
Ans: 1817.
2. Jagannath Dhekial Phukan / Badan Chandra Barphukan / Chandrakanta Burhagohain was the brother of Kochinath Burhagohain.
Ans: Jagannath Dhekial Phukan.
3. The murder of Badan Chandra took place in 1816 / 1817 / 1818.
Ans: 1818.
4. Rajmao Numali was the mother of Chandrakanta Singha / Purnananda Burhagohain / Brajanath Gohain.
Ans: Chandrakanta Singha.
5. The Treaty of Yandaboo was signed on 24 February of 1814 / 1826 / 1828.
Ans: 24 February 1826.
Essay Type Question-Answers
1. Briefly describe the expansion of Burmese rule in Manipur and Arakan.
Ans: From the latter half of the eighteenth century, the Burmese began expanding their kingdom towards the west. King Alaungpaya launched two military expeditions against Manipur in the sixth decade of the eighteenth century and towards the end of 1759. Later, in 1765, King Hsinbyushin invaded Manipur, took thousands of Manipuris captive to Burma, and exiled King Jay Singh.
After this, during the reign of King Bodawpaya, the Burmese conquered Arakan. With the conquest of Arakan, the Burmese became the dominant political power over the entire coastal region of the Bay of Bengal from the Mergui archipelago to the Chittagong frontier.
Later, in 1819–20, the Burmese established complete control over Manipur and expelled its three princes—Marjit Singh, Gambhir Singh, and Surjit Singh. These princes fled to Cachar. When they created disturbances there, the king of Cachar, Govinda Chandra, fled to Sylhet and sought British help. As the British did not assist him, he finally sought refuge under the Burmese king. At that time, driven by their desire to establish dominance, the Burmese launched an in 1853 against Manipuri prince Gambhir Singh. Thus, the Burmese expanded their dominance over Manipur and Arakan.
2. Discuss how the autocracy of Purnananda Burhagohain led to political conspiracies.
Ans: Purnananda Burhagohain was power-hungry and autocratic. He installed princes whom he could control as Ahom kings and oppressed those who opposed him, even executing many. As a result, the people became rebellious and, under the leadership of a man named Panimua, revolted against him. However, Purnananda suppressed the revolt, captured Panimua, and executed him, punishing many others severely.
Later, during the reign of Kamaleswar Singha, Satraram Charingia Phukar revolted but was captured and killed along with 97 rebels. Some others were mutilated.
After the death of King Kamaleswar Singha in 1810, Purnananda installed the young Chandrakanta Singha as king without full support from other nobles and ruled the country himself. Chandrakanta Singha became dissatisfied and secretly instructed Badan Chandra Barphukan to seek British military help. Thus, Purnananda’s autocracy led to extreme political instability, resulting in the Burmese invasion and eventually the end of Ahom rule and the establishment of British dominance.
3. What was the final outcome of the political conspiracy against Purnananda Burhagohain?
Ans: The outcome of the political conspiracy against Purnananda Burhagohain proved disastrous for Assam. Many who opposed him were killed, exiled, or persecuted. Almost all Ahom nobles, including King Chandrakanta Singha, tried to free the country from his control.
He even sent men to capture Badan Chandra Barphukan, but Badan Chandra fled to Rangpur in Bengal and sought British help. This ultimately led to the entry of both the Burmese and the British into Assam. Soon after the British arrival, Assam lost its independence permanently.
Thus, the conspiracy ultimately resulted in the fall of the Ahom kingdom and the establishment of British rule.
4. Why did the Burmese invade Assam under the leadership of BadanChandra Barphukan?
Ans: The main reason behind the Burmese invasion under Badan Chandrawas the autocratic rule of Purnananda Burhagohain. He suppressed opposition brutally, killing, exiling, and torturing many.
When Purnananda tried to arrest Badan Chandra, he fled to Rangpur ands ought British help. As the British refused, he went to Burma and invited the Burmese king to invade Assam. Thus, the Burmese invaded Assam under his leadership.
5. Briefly discuss the political intervention of the Burmese in Assam under Badan Chandra Barphukan.
Ans: Due to Purnananda’s oppressive rule, both nobles and common people were dissatisfied. Satraram Charingia Phukan revolted but was defeated. Suspecting Badan Chandra’s involvement, Purnananda sent troops to arrest him, but he fled and later invited the Burmese.
The Burmese invaded Assam three times. In 1817, with about 8000 troops, they defeated the Ahoms at Ghiladhari, and Purnananda died. They placed Chandrakanta Singha on the throne and made Badan Chandra Burhagohain. However, Badan became tyrannical and was later assassinated by Rupsingh, a subedar. In 1818, Purandar Singha became king. Later, the Burmese reinstated Chandrakanta Singha but effectively ruled Assam themselves.
Their oppressive rule caused widespread suffering. Chandrakanta later tried to block their re-entry, but after King Bodawpaya’s death, his successor Bagyidaw sent another army, defeated the Ahoms, and occupied the capital. Chandrakanta fled to British territory, and the Burmese installed Jogeswar Singha as king.
Thus, the Burmese actively intervened in Assam’s politics.
6. Discuss the causes of the Burmese invasion of Assam.
Ans: The Burmese invaded Assam three times between 1817 and 1821, mainly due to political reasons. The primary cause was the dominance and tyranny of Purnananda Burhagohain. His oppressive actions led to widespread dissatisfaction.
Badan Chandra, fearing arrest, fled and sought British help. When refused, he invited the Burmese, leading to the first invasion in 1817 with about 8000troops.
Another cause was the assassination of Badan Chandra, which prompted further Burmese intervention. Political instability, internal conflicts, and succession disputes also contributed.
Thus, internal disorder and external invitation led to the invasions.
7. Discuss the consequences of the Burmese invasion of Assam.
Ans: The Burmese invasion had devastating effects on Assam:
(a) The Ahom kingdom lost its independence. Though kings remained nominally in power, real authority rested with the Burmese.
(b) Social life was severely disrupted. People fled to forests to escape atrocities.
(c) The invasions led to the arrival of the British, who gained Assam after the Treaty of Yandaboo in 1826, ending Assam’s independence permanently.
8. Which revolt is known as the “Panimua Rebellion”?
Ans: Purnananda Burhagohain was a power-hungry official who ruled indirectly by placing young Kamaleswar Singha on the throne. His oppressive rule angered both nobles and common people.
As a result, several local leaders, under the leadership of a man named Panimua, revolted against the Ahom authority, particularly against Purnananda Burhagohain. This revolt is known as the “Panimua Rebellion.”
9. Mention two results of the Burmese military intervention in Assam in 1817.
Ans: The two results of the Burmese military intervention in 1817 were:
(a) As a result of this intervention, the Ahom army under the leadership of Purnananda was defeated in the Battle of Ghiladhari. On hearing the news of defeat, Purnananda Burhagohain died.
(b) The king of Assam remained only a nominal ruler. Badan ChandraBarphukan became all-powerful, and the decline of the country accelerated rapidly.
10. When did the First Anglo-Burmese War take place? Where did it occur?
Ans: The First Anglo-Burmese War took place in 1824. The war was fought in Cachar, Assam, Manipur, and Burma.
11. Mention the important results of the Treaty of Yandaboo.
Ans: The Treaty of Yandaboo was signed on 24 February 1826 between the King of Burma and the British. Its important results were:
(a) The Burmese king had to pay one crore rupees to the British as war indemnity.
(b) Arakan and Tenasserim provinces were ceded to the British.
(c) The Burmese were not allowed to interfere in Assam, Cachar, and Jaintia.
(d) A British Resident was to be stationed at Ava (Burma).
7. Write about the importance of the Treaty of Yandaboo.
Ans: The Treaty of Yandaboo, signed in 1826 between the Burmese king and the British was a significant event in the history of Assam. It established British supremacy in Eastern India. Within a few decades, the entire Northeast India came under British control. The independence of Assam came to an end permanently.
10. Write short notes:
(a) Bodawpaya:
Ans: During the Burmese invasion of Assam in 1817, under the leadership of Badan Chandra Barphukan, Bodawpaya was the king of Burma. He considered the Ahom king as a friendly ruler. At the request of Badan, he sent an army of 8000 soldiers under the command of General Alumingyi to invade Assam. He instructed them to destroy all enemies of Badan while ensuring that no harm came to Ahom king Chandrakanta Singha.
(b) Gambhir Singh:
Ans: Gambhir Singh was the son of Manipuri king Jay Singh. In 1765, the Burmese invaded Manipur and exiled King Jay Singh. His son Gambhir Singh fled to Cachar.
(c) Govinda Chandra:
Ans: Govinda Chandra was the king of Cachar. During 1819–1823, when the Manipuri princes Gambhir Singh, Surjit Singh, and Marjit Singh fled to Cachar and created disturbances, Govinda Chandra fled to Sylhet and sought British help. When the British refused, he sought help from the Burmese king. The Burmese then invaded Cachar and reinstated him.
(d) Daman Gogoi:
Ans: Daman Gogoi was an Ahom general under Purnananda Burhagohain. When Badan Chandra advanced into Assam with Burmese forces, Purnananda sent a force under Daman Gogoi to resist him, but he failed to stop Badan’s advance.
(e) Hao Bora:
Ans: Hao Bora was an Ahom general. During the first Burmese invasion, Purnananda sent forces under Hao Bora and Daman Gogoi against the Burmese. A fierce battle took place at Ghiladhari, where the Ahoms were defeated.
(f) Battle of Ghiladhari:
Ans: During the first Burmese invasion, Ahom forces under Hao Bora andDaman Gogoi fought against the Burmese at Ghiladhari. The Ahoms were defeated in this battle.
(g) Brajanath:
Ans: In 1817, after the Burmese occupied Assam, Chandrakanta Singhawas made king and Badan Chandra was made Burhagohain. Due to Badan’s tyranny, nobles conspired and killed him. Later, his son Ruchinath became Burhagohain and planned to depose Chandrakanta Singha and install Brajanath, son of Bijoy Bormuwa Gohain, as king. However, this plan failed.
(h) Purandar Singha:
Ans: Purandar Singha was the son of Brajanath Gohain. He had taken refuge in British-controlled areas with his father since 1809. In 1818, during the second Burmese invasion, he was installed as the king of Assam.
(i) Luku Deka Phukan:
Ans: Luku Deka Phukan was a loyal general of Ahom king Chandrakanta Singha. He was sent to fight against Ruchinath but was defeated and killed in battle.
(j) Alumingyi:
Ans: Alumingyi was a general of Burmese king Bodawpaya. In 1817, hewas sent with 8000 troops to invade Assam under the leadership of Badan Chandra. He was instructed to eliminate Badan’s enemies without harming the Ahom king.
(k) Duwaniya:
Ans: During the Burmese invasion, some wealthy Assamese disguised themselves as Burmese and oppressed the local people. These disguised Assamese were known as ‘Duwaniya.’ They looted wealth and gold from the people.
(l) Treaty of Yandaboo:
Ans: The Treaty of Yandaboo was signed on 24 February 1826 between the Burmese king and the British. Its results were:
(a) The Burmese king had to pay one crore rupees as indemnity.
(b) Arakan and Tenasserim went to the British.
(c) The Burmese could not interfere in Assam, Cachar, and Jaintia.
(d) A British Resident was stationed in Burma.
Additional Questions and Answers
Short Answer Type Questions
1. Which region of Assam is referred to as the Matak kingdom?
Ans: The region between the Brahmaputra and Dihing rivers.
2. Which rebellion was suppressed by Kalia Bhomora?
Ans: The Dando rebellion.
3. What title did Chandrakanta Singha confer upon Satraram?
Ans: Charingia Phukan.
4. Who killed Satraram?
Ans: Naga assassins.
5. Who killed Badan Chandra Barphukan?
Ans: Subedar Rupsingh.
6. Between whom was the First Anglo-Burmese War fought?
Ans: Between the British and the Burmese.
7. In which year did the First Anglo-Burmese War take place?
Ans: In 1824.
8. Which period in Assam’s history is known as the “Burmese period”?
Ans: From 1821 to 1825.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. In which year did the first Burmese invasion of Assam take place?
(a) 1815
(b) 1816
(c) 1817
(d) 1819
Ans: (c)
2. Who invited the Burmese to invade Assam?
(a) Chandrakanta Singha
(b) Purnananda Burhagohain
(c) Badan Chandra Barphukan
(d) Purandar Singha
Ans: (c)
3. Who was the Ahom king during the first Burmese invasion?
(a) Purandar Singha
(b) Chandrakanta Singha
(c) Kamaleswar Singha
(d) Jogeswar Singha
Ans: (b)
4. Who was the Prime Minister of Assam during the Burmese invasion?
(a) Badan Chandra
(b) Purnananda Burhagohain
(c) Ruchinath
(d) Brajanath
Ans: (b)
5. Where did the Battle of Ghiladhari take place?
(a) Upper Assam
(b) Lower Assam
(c) Near Guwahati
(d) At Ghiladhari
Ans: (d)
6. What happened to Purnananda Burhagohain after the Ahom defeat?
(a) He was captured
(b) He fled
(c) He died
(d) He surrendered
Ans: (c)
7. How many soldiers did the Burmese bring in the first invasion?
(a) 5000
(b) 6000
(c) 7000
(d) 8000
Ans: (d)
8. Who became all-powerful after the first Burmese invasion?
(a) Chandrakanta Singha
(b) Badan Chandra Barphukan
(c) Purandar Singha
(d) Ruchinath
Ans: (b)
9. Who killed Badan Chandra Barphukan?
(a) British soldiers
(b) Burmese army
(c) Rupsingh Subedar
(d) Chandrakanta Singha
Ans: (c)
10. In which year was Badan Chandra killed?
(a) 1817
(b) 1818
(c) 1819
(d) 1820
Ans: (b)
11. Who became king after Badan Chandra’s death?
(a) Chandrakanta Singha
(b) Jogeswar Singha
(c) Purandar Singha
(d) Kamaleswar Singha
Ans: (c)
12. How many times did the Burmese invade Assam?
(a) Once
(b) Twice
(c) Thrice
(d) Four times
Ans: (c)
13. In which years did the Burmese invasions occur?
(a) 1816, 1818, 1820
(b) 1817, 1819, 1821
(c) 1815, 1817, 1819
(d) 1818, 1820, 1822
Ans: (b)
14. Who was reinstated as king with Burmese help?
(a) Purandar Singha
(b) Jogeswar Singha
(c) Chandrakanta Singha
(d) Brajanath
Ans: (c)
15. Who was installed as king by the Burmese later?
(a) Chandrakanta Singha
(b) Purandar Singha
(c) Jogeswar Singha
(d) Kamaleswar Singha
Ans: (c)
16. Who was the Burmese king during the invasion?
(a) Alaungpaya
(b) Bodawpaya
(c) Bagyidaw
(d) Hsinbyushin
Ans: (b)
17. Which place did Chandrakanta Singha flee to?
(a) Burma
(b) Bengal
(c) British territory
(d) Manipur
Ans: (c)
18. What type of ruler was Purnananda Burhagohain?
(a) Kind
(b) Democratic
(c) Autocratic
(d) Weak
Ans: (c)
19. Which rebellion was led by Panimua?
(a) Moamoria rebellion
(b) Panimua rebellion
(c) Ahom rebellion
(d) Cachar rebellion
Ans: (b)
20. What was the main cause of Burmese invasion?
(a) Economic
(b) Religious
(c) Political instability
(d) Trade dispute
Ans: (c)
21. Which treaty ended the Burmese rule in Assam?
(a) Treaty of Sugauli
(b) Treaty of Yandaboo
(c) Treaty of Paris
(d) Treaty of Allahabad
Ans: (b)
22. In which year was the Treaty of Yandaboo signed?
(a) 1824
(b) 1825
(c) 1826
(d) 1827
Ans: (c)
23. Between whom was the Treaty of Yandaboo signed?
(a) Ahoms and British
(b) Burmese and Ahoms
(c) British and Burmese
(d) British and Manipuris
Ans: (c)
24. What was one result of the Burmese invasion?
(a) Growth of trade
(b) Social stability
(c) Destruction and chaos
(d) Rise of Ahoms
Ans: (c)
25. What happened to Assam after the treaty?
(a) Became independent
(b) Came under Burmese rule
(c) Came under British rule
(d) Became a monarchy
Ans: (c)
26. Who was Gambhir Singh?
(a) King of Assam
(b) King of Cachar
(c) Manipuri prince
(d) Burmese general
Ans: (c)
27. Where did Manipuri princes take refuge?
(a) Assam
(b) Cachar
(c) Bengal
(d) Burma
Ans: (b)
28. Who was Govinda Chandra?
(a) King of Assam
(b) King of Cachar
(c) Burmese king
(d) British officer
Ans: (b)
29. What was the result of internal conflict in Assam?
(a) Peace
(b) Development
(c) Foreign invasion
(d) Unity
Ans: (c)
30. Which period is known as the Burmese period in Assam?
(a) 1815–1819
(b) 1817–1821
(c) 1821–1825
(d) 1824–1826
Ans: (c)
31. Which Ahom noble’s autocratic rule triggered major political instability leading to Burmese invasion?
(a) Badan Chandra
(b) Purnananda Burhagohain
(c) Ruchinath
(d) Brajanath
Ans: (b)
32. Who led the Burmese army sent to Assam in 1817?
(a) Bagyidaw
(b) Alumingyi
(c) Hsinbyushin
(d) Ava general
Ans: (b)
33. After Bodawpaya’s death, who became the Burmese king?
(a) Alaungpaya
(b) Bagyidaw
(c) Hsinbyushin
(d) Mindon
Ans: (b)
34. Which region became a major cause of conflict due to Manipuri princes’ activities?
(a) Jaintia
(b) Cachar
(c) Sylhet
(d) Bengal
Ans: (b)
35. Who attempted to block the Burmese route by constructing a fort?
(a) Purandar Singha
(b) Chandrakanta Singha
(c) Badan Chandra
(d) Ruchinath
Ans: (b)
36. Which battle marked the first major defeat of the Ahoms by the Burmese?
(a) Saraighat
(b) Itakhuli
(c) Ghiladhari
(d) Rangpur
Ans: (c)
37. What was the main administrative impact of Burmese rule in Assam?
(a) Strong monarchy
(b) Direct British rule
(c) Puppet kingship
(d) Democratic governance
Ans: (c)
38. Which group exploited Assamese people by disguising themselves as Burmese?
(a) Ahoms
(b) British
(c) Duwaniya
(d) Manipuris
Ans: (c)
39. What was the strategic aim of the Burmese in invading Assam?
(a) Religious expansion
(b) Trade monopoly
(c) Territorial expansion
(d) Cultural exchange
Ans: (c)
40. Which consequence of the Burmese invasion directly led to British intervention?
(a) Economic growth
(b) Political chaos
(c) Religious reform
(d) Agricultural development
Ans: (b)
