By Uma PurkayasthaBy Uma Purkayastha
U Tirot Sing, the legendary freedom fighter of Khasi Hills, died a martyr’s death on July 17, 1835, in Dacca jail (in present Bangladesh) during British rule. The last days of the great hero as far as known, were tragic. Despite being a young man of strong determination and personality, a skilled warrior, a well-disciplined leader and ruler, he had to surrender to the conspiracy of the British, and die in captivity. But the great hero, despite extreme pressure and lucrative offers, did not sign the treaty of suzerainty to the British. His principle was, ‘better death than dishonour’, which he followed till his last breath.It is unfortunate that the great Tirot, despite his democratic outlook towards his countrymen, had to be a victim of conspiracy not only of the British but some of his kinsmen, including his own mother. It is more unfortunate and heart-rending that while Tirot, keeping himself underground, had been furiously fighting against the well-equipped British Army, he was injured by a gun shot of the British; and hid himself inside a cave; his secret shelter was disclosed to the British by one of his chiefs. Tirot was caught by the British and the betrayer chief was rewarded with gold coins. That treachery of his own countryman shocked and pierced the patriotic heart of Tirot Singh, which was more painful to him than his defeat. His last days in imprisonment were full of frustration, disgust and despair. U Tirot Sing, the first freedom fighter against the British in the northeastern region, was born at Nongkhlaw in the Khasi Hills towards the end of the 18th century. Being the Syiem (King) of Nongkhlaw, Tirot, a tall and stout young man, was adept in archery, swimming, riding and hunting. His martial skill was extraordinary. His method of controlling the common people was democratic and disciplined. As a ruler, Tirot Sing gave ample proof of his extraordinary capacity to maintain peace and order in his state. He was well-conversant with a number of languages like Bengali, Assamese, Garo and Bodo, which made him popular in the neighbouring states too.In 1824, David Scott, an agent to the East India Company was deputed as Commissioner of Revenue and Circuit in the district of Assam who keenly observed that the Khasis were obedient under the able and strong leadership of U Tirot Sing. Scott was a shrewd politician who thought of establishing British sovereignty on the hill states and from the military point of view, for quick communication particularly, he felt the necessity of a link road from lower Assam to Sylhet via Khasi Hills. Scott made friendship with Tirot Sing and gave him the proposal of constructing a link road through the Khasi Hills and to build a Sanitarium at Nongkhlaw for the treatment of the invalids. Scott convinced him about the facilities of the quick communication from the hill to the plains, particularly from economic point of view.Tirot Sing called the state Durbar at Nongkhlaw in November 1826 and the proposal to construct a road for the British troops through the territory was accepted. But there were some conditions — the British raj should not interfere in any internal affairs of the state and they should protect the state from foreign enemies.The treaty made with Tirot Sing was ratified by the Governor General of India in due course but within a short period, Tirot could read the evil motive of Scott, as he betrayed him in some very important matter of the state. The British government failed to keep the terms and conditions of the treaty and imposed revenue on the Nongkhlaw state. Tirot Sing, united with other chiefs of the hills, was determined to drive out the white strangers from his motherland.On April 4, 1829, Tirot sent a band of Khasi warriors and declared war against Lt. Burlton at Nongkhlaw. Thousands of young men and women joined Tirot Sing to fight against the foreign power. It was the first uprising against the British power, in the North East region of India, headed by Tirot Sing, which is known as ‘Nongkhlaw Massacre’ (Alexander Mackenzie ‘memorandum 1869’).Lt. Burlton and his soldiers escaped and fled towards the plains of Kamrup but were caught and killed by the Khasi warriors. Another group of fierce warriors burnt down all the buildings of Nongkhlaw constructed by David Scott and released all the prisoners from the jail who were punished by the British.Tirot Sing sent another band of warriors to attack David Scott, the ring leader of the total betray who was in Cherrapunji. But Scott was helped to escape to Sylhet by the mother of Tirot, who was very much kind and friendly to Scott. Lt. Bendingfield and Dr. H. Beadon were brutally killed in that attack.In the book, ‘British Paramountcy and Indian Renaissance’, K.M Munshi appreciated the war-skill of Tirot Sing and his super guerilla tactics and compared his talents with that of the great Maratha King, Shivaji.The way Tirot Sing organised the movement and received the co-operation of all the Khasi Syicms and warriors, was highly appreciated by the observers. Tirot, himself could create a terror to the powerful British, as the record reads:-‘Tirot Sing and his associates with a military force estimated to be 10,000 evaded the British, but occasionally swooped down upon the plains, causing alarm all over Assam. Once the panic was so great, even in Gauhati, the head quarters of the British, that large number of people including high officials kept boats ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice’. ( ‘British Paramountcy and Indian Renaissance’)Scott observed the strong determination of Tirot Sing and his followers and devised the methods of ‘divide and rule’ by sowing seeds of distrusts among the top leaders of Tirot Sing.Sing Manik, the chief of the Khyriem estate offered his service to the British to negotiate between the Khasi and the British for some peaceful settlement. He arranged a meeting at Nongkhlaw on August 19, 1832; but Tirot declined to meet the British officer, who came to the meeting fully armed. It was decided that the parties should attend the meeting unarmed and accordingly the meeting was held on the August 23, 1932.The British representative gave a solemn promise to spare the life of Tirot Sing and his followers provided Tirot signed the treaty with the British, acknowledging their suzerainty.The bold reply came from brave Tirot Sing — ‘Better death of a free commoner than the life of a chief who is a slave’. The brave hero had the strong guts to say ‘No’ to the powerful British, knowing fully well its dire consequences.So there was no compromise. As a result of the prolonged war the common people of the Khasi Hills had been suffering miserably. Their trade had come to stand still and many a family had lost either a husband or a brother or a son in the War. Tirot was very much pained at their distress and decided to surrender, considering the greater interest of his countrymen. Moreover Tirot was shocked to get the scent of playing double role by some of his best supporters. While guerilla fighting, Tirot was injured by a gun shot, and was captured by the British from his secrect shelter.On January 13, 1833, the great warrior surrendered very gracefully to the British officer Captain Inglis, at Lum Mardiang, near Elephant Falls, Shillong. At that fateful moment of surrender, Tirot conveyed his love and gratitude to his countrymen, whose love and devotion he cherished till the last moment of his life. His only request to the British was granting full justice to the rights of his countrymen.In trial, Justice T.C Robertson pronounced the sentence of his life imprisonment, but the council of the supreme government, however, revised the order and Tirot was sent to Dacca jail for detention.When Tirot Sing arrived at Dacca, he was treated very inhumanly. He was not allowed even any personal belonging except a blanket to cover his body. But Tirot bravely said, ‘I came from a royal family and I claim royal treatment’.Ultimately, the British government had to issue a special order to treat him as a State prisoner and Tirot was granted an allowance of Rs 63 with permission to engage two servants. (March 19, 1833 p.c No 55).But till that order was passed, his sufferings knew no bounds as an ordinary prisoner. Tirot spent his last days in confinement, with despair and disgust. He had to spend more than two years in imprisonment, without further investigation. Nothing is known so far regarding the physical and mental condition of the great leader, in British custody. This untold chapter of the life of the great patriot has remained a mystery to his countrymen, till the day. In the death report, no mention of any disease of the hero is found which could cause his death. Is not it very difficult to believe a normal death for a young strong and stout person like Tirot Singh in captivity? Even there is no record of disposal or handing over his mortal remains to any member of his family. Even there was confusion among his countrymen regarding the exact time and date of death of the great hero. Jerlie E Tariang, former MP, in his book ‘Tirot Sing’ said, “To ascertain the correct date of the death of this heroic personality of the northeastern region of India, I contacted the India Office Library and Records, London. I received a photo copy of the letter, written by the Officiating Commissioner of Circuit, Dacca, dated July 18, 1835, addressed to the Secretary to the Government in the Political Department, forwarding, in turn, copy of a letter addressed to him by S.C Scott, Officiating Magistrate, Dacca, undre whom Tirot Sing was a state prisoner”. The copy of the letter dated July 18, 1835, addressed to the Secretary to the Government in the Political Department Fort William, Calcutta, by the Officiating Commissioner of Circuit, Dacca Division, enclosing the letter dated July 18, 1835, of SC Scott. Officiating Magistrate, on the death of Tirot Sing, as follows — ‘Sir,I have the honour to submit copy of a letter from the Officiating Magistrate of Dacca, communicating the fact of the death of the state prisoner, the ex. Rajan Teeruth Sing for the information of the Honourable Governor of Bengal”.To The Officiating Commissioner of Circuit, Dacca.Sir,I have the honour to report for the information of Government, the demise of the ex. Rajah Teeruth Sing, a state prisioner under my charge, which event took place yesterday at 1p.m.I have etc.Foujdary Adawlat sd/-Zillah of Dacca, S.C Scott18th July, 1835 Offg. Magistrate
So it was confirmed that on July 17, 1835, Tirot Sing died at 1.PM. in Dacca, under British custody.Thus ended the career of Raja Tirot Sing, the Khasi hero or yore, one of the most heroic sons of Mother India who is claimed to be the first freedom fighter of the North Eastern region of India.July 17, ‘U Tirot Sing Day’ is observed in Meghalaya as a state holiday, but schoolchildren do not know even what is the day meant for. Many of them take the day as the birth anniversary of U Tirot Sing. The inspiring patriotic life history of U Tirot Sing should be more keenly known by the school children, the youth and intelligentsia of the country. More researches should be done by the students of history on the last days of the great patriot in prison and his subsequent tragic end.
