Administration under Ahom rule

Administration under Ahom rule reveals the style and functions of the Ahom
rule in Assam was not purely a monarchy system but an aristocrat
government formed by the nobles namely (Borhagohain, Borgohain,
Barpatragohain, Borbauah and Borphukan), and the king was more or less a
nominal head of the kingdom.

History of Administration under Ahom Rule

Ahom society was a traditional society with traditional administration. Ahom administration was
monarchical with lots of democratic values where the monarchy was the normal form the Government
although it was somewhat peculiar." The Ahom administration was partly monarchical and partly
aristocratic. The Ahom had a well organized administration which was a hierarchical system with several
levels. A discussion about different officials, dignities and portfolios of the administration of Ahom can
clear the model of that administration. The Ahom rule was again single feudal system where the land
owned to the crown only; the nobles and the subjects were simply user of the lands. This mono feudal
system facilitates a widespread control of the monarchy over the subjects. Introduction of Paik system
in the kingdom can be termed as a systematic exploitation of Ahom rule. However in the middle part of
the Ahom rule, there were land allocations to the Satras and other religious shrines of Assam in the
shape of Devottor lands.

Structure of Administration under Ahom Rule

There was a marked stratification in the body of Ahom administration. The
king known as as Sargadeo in Tai language was the virtual head of the state.
Generally the son of the king became the next king. If the king had more
then one son than the selection of the king was depended upon the
collective decision of the Gohains.

The council of five Ministers were in the next level in Ahom administration.
"They were altogether knows as patramantri which included the Borgohain,
the Burhagohain, Barpatragohain, Barbaruah and Barphukan.
There were three Gohains in Ahom administration. The king had to consult
with these Gohains who had the power to determine the succession of the
monarch. The BarBaruah had to perform three fold functions-
Administrative, Judicial and Military. Barphukan was entrusted with the
responsibility of maintenance of diplomatic relations with Bengal, Bhutan
etc.

They had the tradition of appointing some other local governors like
Sadiakhowa Gohain, Marangikhowa Gohain etc. Besides that, Ahom
kingdom also allowed some lesser kings who were known as Puwali Rajah.
Phukan were the subordinate officials of Barbaruah and Barphukan. Both
Barbaruah and Barphukan had six Phukan under them.

The Khels were the organized form of Paiks with certain gradation. The paik
system was one of the unique arrangements of Ahom administration who
were the labour cum soldier of Ahom administration. The paiks had to
indulge themselves in agriculture and other developmental activities in
normal situation and in war they had to serve as soldiers. These paiks were
organized in Gots. Each Got contained four Paiks.

Military Administration under Ahom Rule

Population at that time in Ahom kingdom was not enough, sufficient
manpower was never received for serving as soldiers in the battles fought
against enemies invading the land. The Ahoms, therefore, adopted some
improvised warring techniques to fight the enemies. They raised ramparts to
resist movement enemy cavalries. The Ahom soldiers were expert in river
battles. So by erecting ramparts they used to call the invaders to river
battles so that the enemies were controlled and defeated easily. They were
even known to have use under water ramparts to resist movement of
enemy boats by suspending big blocks of stones from catenaries made of
canes, etc. The Ahoms adopted mostly guerrilla warfare techniques in
fighting the enemies. In most of the battles, fought against the Mughal
forces, the Ahoms could organize supports from the local tribes. The
weapons used in those days were Hendang( a typical Ahom sword), spears,
bows and arrows, Bortoops (Ahom canons),etc. The Ahoms could not
maintain a regular army. The same paik who is basically a cultivator had to
fight in the battle field when there was any foreign aggression on the land.
This was a serious drawback in Ahom military set up. When a large section
of the paiks joined the Moamoria Rebellion, it is seen that Monarchy failed
to arrange a force with sufficient number of soldiers to resist the revolt. So
was the case during the Maan attacks.

.Establishment of company rule in Assam.

TREATY OF YANDABOO-24TH FEBRUARY, 1826

"His majesty, the king of Ava, renounces all claims upon, and will abstain
from all future interference with the principality of Assam and its
dependencies, and also the contiguous petty states of Cachar and
Jayantia"

In case of Manipur, the Burmese recognized Gambhir Singh's right to the

throne but remained silent about his future relationship with the Burmese
Monarchy.
In case of Assam, Cachar and Jayantia, the Burmese simply formalised
their withdrawal, leaving a political vacuum. It was now left to British
Government to settle its terms with legitimate rulers.

On the eve of the war, in 1824, separate treaties were signed by David
Scott with Rajas of Cachar and Jayantia whereby the rulers of these
kingdom placed their territories under the protection of British against
external aggression. So the right of Raja Govinda Chandra and Raja Ram
Sing to their respective throne were recognized by the British. But no such
treaty was signed with Assam. Hence, after the war, the British felt free to
decide her.

We are not led into your country by the thirst of conquest, but are forced
in our own defense, to deprive our enemy of annoying us. You may,
therefore, rest assured that we will re-establish a Government adapted to
your wants and calculated to promote the happiness of all classes"

Two main factors forced British to change their position-

.Fear of renewed Burmese invasion .

. The newly discovered economic potentials of the region.

.David Scott proposed to restore the Ahom Monarchy under the protection
of the company. But it was not accepted and he was asked to submit a
new proposal. He submitted a fresh proposal in 1828.

.Retention of lower Assam by the British upto Biswanath.

.Hand over of upper Assam to an Ahom prince.Company accepted the first
proposal. In March 1828, the British permanently annexed lower Assam to
its dominion

Regarding upper Assam, the Company argued -

.None of the aspirant to the throne rendered any aid to the British during
the war.

.Large number of claimants. Difficult to select a prince who would

command support of the majority.

. There was possibility of economic potentiality of upper Assam.

RESTORATION OF AHOM RULE

.Lord William Bentick was convinced by Scott's argument. Finally in 1832, it

was decided to assign upper Assam to a member of the Ahom royal family.
Two were short listed for consideration from among many claimants:
Chandrakanta Singha and Purandar Singha.

.The choice finally fell on Purandar Singha. Chandrakanta submitted an

appeal but it was summarily rejected.

.On March 2, 1833, Treaty of Gauhati was signed between the British and
Purandar Singha TREATY OF GAUHATI, 1833.

The EIC handed over the portion of Assam lying to the east of the Dhansiri
river on the south bank of the Brahmaputra river and the territory lying to
the east of small river near Bishwanath on the north bank to Raja Purandar
Singha.

.The Raja promised to pay the Company's government an annual tribute of

50,000 rupees out of an estimated revenue of 1,20,000 rupees.

.The Raja agreed to abide by the advice of the Political Agent, Upper
Assam and the Agent to the Governor General, North East Frontiers.

.But soon British began to have doubts about the wisdom of the
restoration of the Ahommonarchy.

As per the reports o the survey of the northeastern frontier conducted by

British oficials stated the economic potential of the region In June 1833,
the treaty was recast in the form of an agreement whereby Purandar
Singha was recognized as the ruler of Jorhat region this virtually reduced
the status of the king to that of a jagirdar.

In January 1834, Captain Francis Jenkins was appointed as the

commissioner and agent to the governor general for Assam.

⚫ Jenkins visited Upper Assam in the beginning of the year 1838 and
submitted a report to the Calcutta Government, alleging that there was
misgovernmentin Purandar's territory and recommending at the same
time its immediate resumption. He commented on Purandar as "one of the
worst characters," "a rapacious miser", "Bengalee by education and habits
and therefore not acceptable to the Assamese." in support of his
contention, he forwarded certain anonymous petitions asking for the
removal of Purandar.
.Accordingly, on September 16, 1838 Upper Assam was permanently
annexed to the Company's territories. Purandar was offered a pension of
one thousand rupees, which he refused to accept.

Uprising by Ahoms against British .

First Revolt against the British, 1828

Why?

.The annexation of lower Assam

• Reduced power and privilege of the nobility

.New legal and administrative machinery

• To restore the old Ahom monarchy

Who?

.Gomdhar Konwar and Dhanjoy Bargohain

What they did?

.The annexation of lower Assam

• Reduced power and privilege of the nobility

New legal and administrative machinery

• To restore the old Ahom monarchy

Who?

.Gomdhar Konwar and Dhanjoy Bargohain

.Gomdhar was formally enthroned near Jorhat according to Ahom rites.

.Arms and men were recruited from the neighbouring areas

They advanced by the end of November 1828 towards Mariani.

They were however intercepted on their way by a detachment under

Lieutenant Rutherford.

.Gomdhar Konwar fled to Naga hills. But a few days later he

surrendered.Others were arrested.

Gomdhar was at first convicted of capital punishment, but later it was

commuted to an imprisonment without labour for a period of seven years
Dhanjay was sentenced to death, but made a heroic escape from the jail
and took shelter in the Naga hills.

Second attempt by Dhanjoy Bargohain 1829

Dhanjoy was assisted by his two sons, Harakanta and Haranath and his son
in low Jeoram Dulia Barua, Peali Barphukan (son of Badan Chandra
Barphukan), etc.
Emissaries with secret letters were sent out to the chiefs of the
Moamariyas, the Khamtis, the Singphos, the Khasis, the Garos, the
Manipuris and the nagas calling upon their aid.

The nobles in upper Assam advanced towards Rangpur. They, however, did
not receive the expected response from the neighbouring chiefs.

In spite of untoward events, about four hundred fighting men made a

desperate attack on the post at Rangpur.

But they were repulsed and hotly pursued by the British force.

Most of the leaders, except Dhanjay, were apprehended.

In August 1830, Peali and Jeoram were hanged at Sibsagar on the bank of
the Sibsagar tank.

Treaty of Guwahati.
On 2 March 1833, Robertson, on behalf of the East India Company,
concluded a treaty with Purandar Singha at Gauhati. The main terms of the
treaty were as follows:

1. The East India Company handed over the portion of Assam lying to the
east of the Dhansiri river on the south bank of the Brahmaputra river and
the territory lying to the east of the small river near Bishwanth on the
north bank to Raja Purandar Singha.

2. The Raja promised to pay the Company's government an annual tribute

of 50,000 rupees out of an estimated revenue of 120,000 rupees.
3. The Raja bound himself to abide by the principles of British
jurisprudence and to abstain from the practices of the former Ahom rulers
with regard to the physical torture of criminals.

4. He also agreed to abide by the advice of the Political Agent, Upper

Assam and the Agent to the Governor-General, North East Frontier.

5. He further promised to release, on demand from British officials any

fugitive from justice who might take refuge in his territory

6. The Raja would have no power over the Moamaria country of the Bar
Senapati or over the territory of the Sadiya Khowa Gohain.

7. The Raja was assured of British protection so long as he remained loyal;

but if he was found to be unfaithful or guilty of oppressing his subjects, the
Company's government reserved the right to either hand over the territory
to another ruler or to annex it to the British dominions.

8. Purandar Singha agreed to cooperate with the British in matters relating

to the cultivation and sale of opium within his territory.

9. He also agreed to ban sati within his territory.

Purandar Singha was formally installed as Raja of Upper Assam in 1833

with his headquarters in Jorhat.

Role of Maniram in context of Revolt of 1857.

MANIRAM DEWAN
Maniram Dewan served the British first as Tehsildar of Upper Assam
Purandar Singha vested him with the supervision of several newly mauras
created Joined Assam Tea Company at Nazira as its Dewan Then he started
his own gardens at Chenimara and Chenglung.

In early September 1857, a bundle of letters Maniram had written was

intercepted and they proved beyond doubt his conspiracy with
Kandarpeswar to overthrow British rule.

Favorable condition in Assam for the Revolt

Most of the members of Assam Light Infantry stationed at Dibrugarh were

from western Bihar, a hot-bed of the rebellion of 1857

.500 Assamese soldiers of the disbanded army of Purandar Singha were

there

.Strength of European army in Bengal was only 2400.

. There was an acute transport problem.

.The number of British officers in Assam was less.

The old aristocracy was sure to join Maniram The hill people, too, were
sure to extend their support

.Upper Assam Purandar Singha vested him with the supervision of support
to the rebels.

In 1857, there were two main regiments stationed in Assam:

.Assam Light Infantry Battallon under Major Hannay - HQ: Dibrugarh

o Assam Light Infantry Battalion- HQ: Gauhati.

Maniram wanted to take full advantage of the situation and goaded the
young prince Kandarpeswar Singha as well as the members of the
erstwhile nobility and gentry including certain Satradhikars like that of
Kamalabari, to take up arms against the British.

Maniram prepared for an uprising during the Durga Puja in October 1857.

⚫ It was assumed that one the call was given, the sepoys would rise
simultaneously in their respective outposts, seize the magazines and
treasuries, kill the Europeans and burn their houses.

.After that, Kandarpeswar would be installed as the monarch and Maniram

would by the prime minister. As news of the preparation leaked, panic
stricken

European planters left their gardens and missionaries,abandoned their

churches to take refuge in Gauhati.

Major Hannay placed pickets at strategic locations.

Bridges over Misa and Diju were destroyed to cut off communication with
Jorhat.

In early September 1857, a bundle of letters Maniram had written was

intercepted and they proved beyond doubt his conspiracy with
Kandarpeswar to overthrow British rule.

Kandarpeswar and Madhu Mallick were arrested near Jorhat. Maniram

and several of his co-conspirators were arrested in Calcutta.
Towards the close of 1857, Maniram and Peali Barua were tried, found
guilty o treason and sentenced to death. They were publicly hanged on 26
February, 1858 in Jorhat.

.In Calcutta, Kandarpeswar Singha appealed to the government for his

release. Realising that he was merely a tool in the hands of the
conspirators, Kandareswar was released from prison. Later he was allowed
to return to Assam and settle in Guwahati. He died in 1880.

Peasant Revolt of Assam

The Phulaguri uprising (1861)

Causes
.Ban on opium cultivation

.Increase in land revenue

.Rumours that cultivation of tamul (areca nut) and pon (betel vine) would
be made taxable

In September 1861, some 1500 ryots marched to the Sadar Court at

Nogaon to protest against the ban on poppy cultivation. and the
contemplated imposition of tax on tamul and pan. L Hervert Sconce, the
Dy. Comissioner of Nogaon refused to hear their complaint
The Phulguri uprising (1861)

AGRARIAN REVOLTS

The aggrieved rypts then convened a 5 days raij mel at Phulaguri from
October 15. About one thousand rayats assembled, five to six hundred
with lathis

On 17th, about three to four thousand peasants assembled. Police tried

and failed to break up the assembly. They arrested some of the leaders,
but all of them were forcibly rescued by the people.

Next day Lt. Singer, Assistant Commissionerhimself appeared with a police

party and ordered them to disperse and tried to seize their bamboo Lathis
to the scuffle that followed, Singer was beaten to death and his body was
thrown into the river Kalang.

Sconce sent armed force to the spot, firing took place ans several persons
lost their lives while many were injured.

Phulaguri uprising was neither premeditated, organized peasant uprising

nor an ordinary riot caused by few disgruntled peasants, it was the
culmination of a large number of deep rooted grievances. The uprising is of
immense significance primarily because it inaugurated a new era of Sconce
sent armed force to the spot, firing took peasant awakening in Assam and
place ans several persons lost their lives while paved the way for the later
agrarian uprisings

The Assam Riots 1893-94)

.Sir William Ward, the Chief Commissioner of Assam increased land
revenue to 70-80% and in some cases even to 100%
.The people of Rangia and Lachima in Kamrup and Patharughat in Darrang
launched thereupon a no tax campaign declaring excommunication to be
the penalty for any one who disobeyed the raij (people).

Rangia uprising
On 24 December, 1893 Ragia Bazar was looted by the protestors.

Several leaders were arrested. On January 10, 1894,a huge crowd armed
with clubs assembled at the open field near

Rangla thanah. They shouted "We won't pay the increased revenue".

In the evening they attempted to release the arrested leaders by forcing

their way into

the thanah. The police open firedLachima

On January 21, 1894, a mouzadar and a mandal were severely assaulted at

a village near Lacima, The mauzadar died a few days afterwards, 75
persons were arrested.

Patharughat (1894)

.About 2000 rayats assembled in front of the rest house of Anderson, the
Dy Commissioner of Darrang to lodge their protest against the enhanced
rates of assessment. (January 28) Anderson asked them to disperse.

.Rayats began to throw sticks and clods of earth to Anderson, Police open
fired, which brought death to and severe injury to many rayats
.Assam's Jallianwala Bagh

causes of Growth of Political awareness in Assam

.Discontentment among the Aristocracy
Those who were deprived of the benefits of Ahom rule were the first to
resist the alteration of the status quo that followed the British occupation

The language issue

.Bengali was made the official language and medium of instruction in
Assam in 1836. Increase in the recruitment of Bengalis in government
services

Initial protest came from American Baptist Missionaries and the educated
Assamese elite. Anondo Ram Dhekial Phukan played an important role.

First Assamese language magazine "Orunodoy" was published in

1846 (Nathan Brown-editor)

In 1873, Assamese was adopted as the official language.

Immigration
The magnitude of immigration was so high that by the end of twentieth
century, a distinct demographic change had taken place.
landmark of the freedom struggle in Assam from partition of
Bengal to till Independence
Swadeshi Movement-7 August-1905
After Bengal partition, the new province of Eastern Bengal and Assam was
placed under J. B. Fulle who assumed charge as Lieutenant Governor of the
new province at Dacca. Important leaders of Swadeshi movement in
Assam-Ambikagiri Raychoudhury, Govinda Lahiri etc.

In the towns of Assam, people started using khaar instead of salt from
Liverpool in England, sugar from Benares instead of foreign sugar and
indigenously woven cloth instead of the mill produced cloths of Europe. At
a time when religious heads wielded considerable influence on society, the
head priest of the Kamakhya temple appealed to the pandas and grocers
not to purchase or sell foreign items. To fill in the vacuum, indigenous
shops, selling swadeshi goods were set up.' On an intellectual plane,
Ambikagiri Raychoudhury, a poet and nationalist along with Govinda
Lahiri, took the lead in instilling the concept of swadeshi in the minds of
the students. The swadeshi songs and drama of Mukunda Das, the
playwright and lyricist who, along with his troupe, visited Gauhati in 1905,
left a strong imprint on the cultural scene of Assam.

Political development in Assam

.1911-Bengal partition annulled

a durbar held at Delhi in December 1911, the partition of Bengal was

annulled and Assam, including Cachar, Sylhet, Goalpara and the Hills,
reverted to its old status as the chief commissioner's province with a
legislative council' of its own at Shillong
1912-Assam got a provincial Council of its own. No. of members-34. (13
nominated, 21 elected)

. The Legislative Council of Assam first met on 6th January, 1913 at 11 am

at Shillong-

.It was presided over by Sir Archdale Easle, the Chief Commissioner of
Assam. The prominent members (non-official) of the council were -
Kammini Kumar Das, Manik Chandra Barua, Padmanath Gohain Barua,
Tarun Ram Phukan, Ghanashyam Barua, Radha Binod Das, Muhammad
Saadulla and Raja Prahat Chandra Barua.

.Many leaders resigned from the assembly because of lack of power like
Tarun Ram Phukan,Radha Govinda Das (Sylhet) and Phani Dhar Chaliha.

.1916-Assam Student Conference was organized.

o President of the first session - Lakshminath Bezbarua

. 1920-Non-cooperation movement was launched by Gandhi

(and INC)
The Assam Association had been observing the political developments in
the rest of the country but for most people the concept of swaraj or self-
rule was still vague and incomprehensible. Hence, when the call for non-
cooperation was given, one section, led by Ganga Gobinda Barua, Tara
Prasad Chaliha, Ghanashyam Barua and Chandradhar Barua, felt that the
Assam Association had to maintain its separate identity if they had to fight
for local issues with the British. The majority, however, felt the necessity
of joining mainstream politics. After considerable debate, the seventeenth
session of the Assam Association held at Tezpur in December
1920,(general secretary N.C.Bordoloi) endorsed the resolution on non-
cooperation which stated that 'the object of the Assam Association is to
work for the attainment of swaraj by all legitimate means and to educate
the people towards this object'. The Association also decided to follow the
directives of the Congress on all matters regarding the movement.

.1921-Mahatam Gandhi's first visit to Assam

.2nd-1926

. 3rd- 1934

.4th-1946

1921-Mahatam Gandhi's first visit to Assam

.The Non-cooperation Movement had a tremendous impact on Assam.

Gandhi's visit to Assam in August 1921 was a catalyst for arousing public
consciousness.

.Pledges in favour of boycott were invariably accompanied by huge

bonfires of British goods. Energetic and vocal leaders like Chandranath
Sarma, Hemchandra Baruah, Omeo Kumar Das, Triguna Charan Barua and
Muhibuddin Ahmed took the lead in organising the youth many of whom
boycotted government educational institutions, National schools were set
up at Gauhati, Nalbari, Jorhat, Tezpur, Sibsagar, Nowgong Karimganj,
Rajnagar.

Result of Gandhi's visiit

.Fall in opium consumption
.rise of khadi industries
.Impact on the tea gardens-In May 1921, Congress workers organised a
protest around 8.000 labourers of thirteen tea gardens of the Chargola and
Longai valley of Karimganj subdivision were organised by the Congress
workers. Demanding a huge wage increase and accompanied by slogans of
'Gandhi Maharaj Ki Jai, they resolved to leave the gardens en masse as
they were told that it was Gandhi's order. The labourers had heard
rumours that under Gandhi-Raj they would be given land in their villages
from where they had been lured away with false promises. This sudden
exodus of the labourers completely unnerved the planters who
pressurised the district administration to use force to bring them back. But
the labourers were determined not to return. Hundreds of them lost their
lives in the turmoil that followed. While some escaped, the majority were
forced back into the gardens. As a mark of protest against the Chargola
tragedy.

Women role in this movement

He was aware of women's potential for passive resistance and projected
them as symbols of courage, intelligence, perseverance, robust
independence and power and not as stereotypes of submission.

One of the foremost examples of this was Mongri, who was a labourer in a
tea garden. She was also an alcoholic. She was so influenced by Gandhi
that she not only gave up drinking but also actively participated in the anti-
liquor drive. Mongri died in a clash that occurred during the picketing of
liquor shops and was the first woman in Assam to be killed for
participation in the Non-cooperation Movement.
In Godebori, a remote village in Kamrup district, Bhanumati Talukdar, a
mother of three children, enrolled herself as a full time worker of the
Congress. Referred to as Volunteerani bai by the local people, Gandhi
called her the Sarojini of Assam. Pramila Medak, of the Mising community
of Golaghat, remained an active worker despite being excommunicated by
her community for defying social restrictions and joining the Move- ment."
Mongri, Bhanumati and Pramila are just three examples.

1921-Assam Pradesh Congress Committee was formed

.First President - Kuladhar Chaliha

.Secretary-Nabin Chandra Bordolol

1922-NCM movement was called off Two-member committee of Dr.

Rajendra Prasad and Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya came to Assam to
study the political situation in Assam

.Swarajist party was formed in Assam with Tarun Ram Phukan as the
President in 1923

Swarajist won 13 seats out of 39 in Assam provincial election of 1923.

.Swarajists in the Legislative Councils Elections to the legislative council

were held in November 1923 in Assam. The Swarajya Party contested
almost all the seats but it failed to secure it's majority.
.Swarajists formed a colition government (Assam Nationalistic Party) in
Assam with help of independent candidates.

1926-Swarajist Party withdrew from Assam Government.

1926-41st INC session was held in Pandu, Guwahati (1926) under the
Presidentship

Srinivas lyenger. 1926-27.

Simon commission
Protests against the Commission in Assam

In Assam, the first manifestation of public anger was expressed at a public

meeting at Sylhet in November 1927.

Lahore session 1929

Impact of Lahore session in Assam
The Congress decision to boycott the Legislative Councils was received
with mixed feelings among the leaders in Assam. Tarun Ram Phukan,
Gopinath Bardoloi and R. K. Choudhury were initially hesitant to
implement the Congress directive for they felt that the time was not
opportune for such a drastic policy. Instead, they believed that the
presence of a strong opposition in the Council was necessary to stall the
government's repressive measures especially in the context of the decision
to fight for Poorna Swaraj. The decision to celebrate 26 January 1930 as
the first Independence Day, however, was spon- taneous throughout the
province. After deliberations with senior colleagues, Phukan resigned from
the Central Legislative Council. along with 14 others who resigned from the
Assam Legislative Council. Subsequently, however, he resigned from the
AICC as well and together with Bardoloi and Choudhury, formed a new
party called the Assam Swaraj Party and decided to contest the elections.
In the absence of the main leaders, the Congress in Assam was
directionless and was overcome by feelings of despondency and
frustration on the eve of the Civil Disobedience Movement.

⚫ Tarun Ram Phukan was elected as a member of CWC for 1930-Civil

disobedience movement launched. salt law(Dandi March 12 March to 6
April)

o Tarun Ram Phukan did not support this movement.

• Rohini Kumar and N. C. Bordolol were unenthusiastic.

.Bishnu Ram Medhi took the responsibility of launching CDM in Assam.x

From Assam, Liladhar Barua joined the famous Dandi March:

.Puspalata Das along with Sarla Saxena, organized the Mukti bahini.

. Rani Galdinliu played major role in the Civil Disobedience in Assam.

Student participation Young leaders like Omeo Kumar Das and Hem
Chandra Baruah appealed to the students to get involved in the movement
but as most of the educational institutions were closed and the students
away on vacation, they were unable to make much headway.
Then the Director of Public Information, JR Cunningham issued
Cunningham circular in Assam to restrict participation of students in the
movement.

Participation of Women
In 1930, Pushpalata Das, a young satyagrahi who had joined the Banar
Sena to propagate khadi at the age of six, along with Sarla Saxena

Pushyapraba Barua and Jyotsna Majumdar, organised the Mukti mobilise

girls in the national movement. Their fiery speeches hed young minds who
pledged to fight for Poorna Swaraj. The creasing membership and the
activities of the Sangha, caused pencer to the government and Pushpalata,
who was then the Secretary, Panbazar Girls' High School, was expelled
from tution. The government agreed to reinstate her on condition her
mother signed a bond guaranteeing her 'good behaviour.

1935-Government of India Act

.Assam .legislature became bicameral

.Legislative council - 22 members. Legislative assembly - 108 members.

THE ACT OF 1935 AND ASSAM

.The Government of India Act 1935 provided for a bicameral legislature in
Assam, consisting of an Upper House (the Legislative Council) and the
Lower House (the Legislative Assembly). The Council's member- ship was
fixed at 22, of which 18 were to be elected and 4 nominated. The Assembly
was to have 108 seats with representations to various communities. In the
elections, the Congress emerged as the largest single party with 33 seats.
Gopinath Bardoloi was elected as the leader of the Congress Assembly
Party. The Congress could have formed a coalition ministry, but Bardoloi
believed that forming a solid opposition instead would be more expedient
at this stage

. 1937-Syed .Mohammad Sadulla formed government on 1st April, 1937.

(first Chief minister of Assam

.Basanta Kumar Das was elected the first speaker of Assam Legislative
Assembly

.Sadulla Submitted resignation on 13th September, 1938

Ambika Gin Roy Choudhury, founded "Assam Sangrakshini Sobha" (later

renamed as Assam Jatiya Mahasabha)

.1938-Bopinath Bordoloi's first ministry

。 Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (5th President of India and only President of India
from Assam) was alsa member of Bordolol's ministry. o Bordoloi's ministry
resigned on 17th November, 1939.

1939-Sadulla's second ministry • Sadulla supported British's war effort.

Students protest
"Gauhati Day" was observed for Anti-War demonstration.

.Sadullah, in the wake of several no-confidence motion, submitted

resignation on 12th December, 1941
.1941-1st Governor's rule in Assaml

.Governor-Robert Neil Reid ⚫25th December 1941-24th August 1942

1942-Quit India movement o Sadullah formed the third ministry

. Women wing of APCC was formed in September 1940 with Puspalata Das
and Amritprava Das as joint secretary.

.Mrityu Bahini was formed in 1942. Kanaklata Barua and Mukunda Kakati
were shot dead in Gohpur.

.In Sibsagar, the individual Satyagraha movement was started by Moulana

Tayebulla, the President of the Asom Pradesh Congress Committee.

Kushal Konwar was arrested on the ground of derailing a train in

Sarupathar (Golaghat) and

later hanged on 15th June 1943.

1946-Gopinath Bordolol's second ministry

1946-Cabinet mission plan

.The Cabinet Mission Plan conceived of three sections:

1. Section A comprising Madras, Bombay, United Provinces, Bihar, Central

Provinces and Orissa.

2. Section B comprising Punjab, North West Frontier Province and Sind. 3.

Section C comprising Bengal and Assam.
o Assam was put under Group C-Bengal and Assam.

. 1946-Muslim League formed a secret organization in Bengal and Assam

by the name of Banglo-i- Islam". The purpose of this organization was to
mobilise Muslim youths for a separate state Pakistan. 1947-Mountbatten
Plan On 6th and 7th July of 1947, a referendum was held in Sylhet district
of Assam after which

.Sylhet was included in East Pakistan with 56% vote.

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