– Uma Purkayastha
Courtesy: byjus.com
U Tirot Sing, the Syiem (King) of Nongkhlaw (1820), was the main hero against British suzerainty in the Khasi Hills, who fought against the vast superior British army, and remained rigid and stringent in his principle till his death. He did not surrender to slavery better choiced death! Until his powerful administration at Nongkhlaw, the British could not capture the Khasi Hills. The guns and artillery of the British also failed against guerilla fighting of the brave leader.
David Scott, an agent of the East India Company, a shrewd politician, who was deputed as Commissioner of Revenue and Circuit in the district of Assam, keenly observed the strong personality and able kingship of Tirot Sing and resolved to defeat him by hook or by crook; and establish British control in the hill states.
With vested interest, Scott made acquaintance with Tirot Sing and his mother, with a plea to seek permission from them to construct a link road through the Khasi Hills, for quick communication from the hill to the plains. Sing after consulting with the Dorbar, accepted the proposal with the conditions that the British Raj should not interfere in any internal administration of the state. However, within a month, Sing was tricked and did not realise that he was betrayed! The British, ignoring the terms and conditions of the Treaty imposed tax upon the people of Nongkhlaw. Brave Tirot was determined to drive out the Britishers and declared war against Lt. Burlton at Nongkhlaw, on 4th April 1829.
That was the first uprising against the British power, in the Northeast region of India, headed by Tirot Sing, which is known as the ‘Nongkhlaw Massacre’ (Alexander Mackenzie memorandum 1869).
Tirot Sing, the brave warrior, whose only weapon was the bow and arrow with his technique of guerilla fighting, championed the cause and turned victorious.
The Khasi Regiment under Tirot Sing attacked the British officers at Nongkhlaw and sent waves of terror to the British Army, many of whom were injured, while some fled towards Kamrup, but were not able to escape and were killed by the Khasi warriors. David Scott, however, the main target of Tirot managed to flee! As historical accounts suggest, the Khasi leader suffered some amount of losses through treachery and conspiracy among his own including a few of his countrymen and his own mother!
The manner in which Tirot Sing organised the movement and received cooperation from all the Khasi Syiems and warriors finds great mention among historians. Tales of Tirot’s valour and courage caused widespread fear among the British. So much so, that a large number of people including high officials kept boats ready for evacuation at a moment’s notice from the Gauhati (now Guwahati) headquarters of the British.
(Ref:-K.M. Munshi”British Paramountcy and Indian Renaissance”).
Despite all the bravery and undaunted spirit, unfortunately Tirot had to surrender to the British, because of the conspiracy of some of his dear kinsmen, who disclosed the leader’s hiding place in the cave, to the Britishers. Tirot was shattered to learn about the double act carried out by some of his allies.
On January 13, 1833, the great warrior surrendered gracefully to the British officer Captain Inglis, at Lum Mardiang, near Elephant Falls, Upper Shillong.
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. But the bold reply came from brave leader — ‘Better die an Independent King than reign as the Vassal’!
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.
Tirot was jailed and sent to Dacca (now Dhaka, present day Bangladesh) for trial where he died on 17th July 1835. He embraced a Martyr’s death, in imprisonment, a very glorious death of a true freedom fighter, son of Mother India! He is the pioneer hero against British reigns in the Khasi Hills, who embraced death but did not surrender to slavery.