By Uma Purkayastha
The news item in The Shillong Times of Feb 19, 2024 reported that the Bangladesh government has no official record that the legendary Khasi freedom fighter, U. Tirot Sing Syiem was kept in the old Dhaka Central Jail. It appears that inspecting the old jail complex at Dhaka) the Bangladesh authorities told reporters that they did not have any official record about the incarceration of U Tirot Sing. In this regard I would like to refer to the book ‘Tirot Sing’ by Jerlie E. Tariang, published in 1990, with a preface by Rajiv Gandhi, Former Prime Minister of India, where in the chapter ‘Imprisonment and Death of Tirot Sing’, it is stated, ‘Tirot Sing, Raja of Nongkhlaw, the much-sought-after Khasi chief, ever since the outbreak of the historic “Khasi Struggle for Freedom” from the foreign rule, boldly faced his trial in the court of Mr. T.C. Robertson, Agent to the British government. This took place shortly after his surrender at Lum Madiang. Robertson pronounced the sentence of life imprisonment on him. He was sent to Gauhati, then to be transported to the Tenasserim province of Burma. But the Calcutta Council of the Supreme government, however, deemed it fit to revise the order of the Agent and instead had him sent to Dacca for detention’. [ Ref:- Political Letter to Court No. 2 of 1833 ]
It is said that, ‘when Tirot Sing arrived at Dacca, he had no personal belongings, save a blanket to cover his body. At first, he was confined in the Dacca Jail but, later, an order was issued by the Supreme government not to treat him as an ordinary prisoner but as a State prisoner. He was then accomodated in a suitable but strong house and treated as a State prisoner. Besides, he was granted a monthly allowance of Rupees 63, with permission to engage two servants’. [Ref:- PC No. 55 & 56 March 19, 1833 and PC No. 64 & 65 April 30. 1833]
The above-mentioned orders of the British Government confirm the imprisonment and stay of U Tirot Sing in Dhaka since before 19th March 1833.
Moreover, in 1956, the then Governor of Assam Mr. Jairam Daulatram, in an article, “The people of the Fronter” 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 die in Dacca prison than to be a nominal chieftain under British suzerainty.” [ para 7 of the same article ]
With all these references, where ‘Dacca prison’ is clearly and specifically mentioned, how can we agree that Dhaka has no record of Tirot Sing’s Jail term or that, ‘the local authorities informed them that they did not have any official record about the incarceration of U Tirot Sing?’
As Tirot Sing was jailed and sent to Dacca by March 1833, the 1st & 2nd paragraph as quoted above, is more than sufficient to establish that Tirot Sing was kept in Dhaka Jail.
Moreover, regarding his sudden demise, at the age of 45 years (approximately) it is a mystery and somehow uncertain and unknown to his countrymen.
Jerlie E. Tariang, in his book mentions, “The precise date of his death has remained a mystery to one and all. Historians and scholars made their own calculations of the date, but mostly on hearsay or presumption, without any actual documentation. To ascertain the correct date of the death of this heroic personality of the north-eastern region of India, I contacted the India Office Library and Records, London. I received a photocopy of the letter, written by the Officiating Commissioner of Circuit, Dacca, dated 18th July, 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, under whom Tirot Sing was a State prisoner. From the said letter, it is clear beyond the semblance of any doubt that Tirot Sing expired on 17th July, 1835 at 1 P.M.”
[Copy of the letter is given as Appendix No.4] as:-
Copy of letter dated 18-7-1835 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 18-7-1835 of Mr. S.C.Scott, Officiating Magistrate, on the death of Tirot Sing:
“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. Rajah 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 prisoner under my charge, which event took place yesterday at 1 p.m.
I have etc.
Foujdary Adawlat, Sd/-
Zillah of Dacca S.C. Scott
18th July, 1835 Offg. Magistrate
Hence with all these authenticated documents, we should not have any doubts regarding the detention and incarceration of U Tirot Sing in Dacca. It seems he arrived at Dacca by February 1833, and stayed under British custody till his last breath on 17th July 1835.
It is more essential to collect records, if any from the Bangladesh Government (former East Pakistan), how the last moments came in the young and stout Tirot Sing’s life. What happened to him? Was it a normal death? It is not unlikely to think otherwise because Tirot was very much dominant and fearless to challenge any injustice. If it was a normal death due to some ailment why was this not mentioned in the death report? Normally the death report is supported by the last attending physician who attended to the deceased!
All those lapses create suspense for those who admire Tirot Sing and for researchers and writers like this one.
In this regard, I would like to draw the kind attention of Sniawbhalang Dhar, Deputy Chief Minister Meghalaya and Paul Lyngdoh, Minister of Arts & Culture Meghalaya who led the delegates to Bangladesh recently in connection with the foundation of a statue of U Tirot Sing, at Dhaka, to pursue with the Bangladesh Government to revisit the old files very keenly for any clue regarding the sudden demise of the great National Hero under British Custody.