Beginning of The British Administration in Assam

 1. Who was the founder of the Ahom dynasty in Assam?

Ans: Siu - ka - pha.

2. How the Ahom dynasty came to an end?

Ans: The rule of the Ahom dynasty came to an end as a result of the Burmese invasion.

3. Name some places where the Burmese had occupied.

Ans: Arakan, Manipur and Cachar.

4. Name the places where the first Anglo - Burmese war took place.

Ans: a) Brahmaputra valley i.e. Ahom kingdom

b) Cachar 

c) Manipur and

d) Burma i.e. present Myanmar.

5. In which battle, the Burmese were completely defeated?

Ans: In the battle that took place in Burma,  Burmese were completely defeated.

6. According to which treaty, Burmese had to surrender?

Ans: According to the Treaty of Yandaboo.

7. In which article of the Yandaboo Treaty contained matters relating to Assam?

Ans:  In The  second article.

8. When did Marjit occupied the throne with the help of the Burmese?

Ans: In 1812 AD.

9. Which treaty recognized Gambhir Singh as the king of Manipur?

Ans: The Treaty of Yandaboo. 

10. Write the causes of the conflict between the East India Company and the Burmese.

Ans: The causes of the conflict between the East India Company and the Burmese were - 

a) In 1822 , the Burmese captured some British people in Chattagram and the consequent death of a couple of people in the Burmese custody led to the deterioration of the relation between the two.

b) The Burmese entered Shahpur and hoisted Burmese flag which was under British influence. This led to the anger of British.

c) Burmese further entered towards Goalpara to upset the British. The British, then determined to uproot the Burmese from Dhacca and Goalpara and to free the Brahmaputra valley from the Burmese.

11. What was the provision of the proclamation issued in February 1824?

Ans: According to the proclamation issued to the people of Assam in February 1824 , the British urged the people of Assam to co - operate them. They assured the people that they had not come to establish colony in Assam. But they had come to free the land from the Burmese misrule. After the expulsion of the Burmese and restoring an efficient government to stand against the Burmese, the East India Company would leave Assam.

12. Name the places where the  East India Company and Burmese fought?

Ans: Hatbar, Kaliabar and Rangalugarh.

13. Who was appointed as the sole administrator of the British?

Ans: Colonel Richardson.

14. Who was the agent of the East India Company?

Ans: David Scot.

15. Write about the pathetic condition of Assam during the Burmese rule ?

Ans: During the Burmese rule the overall condition of the people of Assam was very pathetic. Hundreds of Assamese people were enslaved and brought to Burma. Gradually, population decreased in Assam. Many Assamese people were injured and could not work in the field of agriculture. Large number of people died in diseases. Many of the Assamese people were ruined altogether. On the other hand many people had died as a result of civil war and the foreign aggression led to the de - population of Assam.

16. When did David Scott assigned the responsibility of the Brahmaputra valley?

Ans: In November, 1820.

17. Which territory was kept under David Scott?

Ans: From Sikkim in the North Cachar and Sylhet in the South, the entire north - eastern region was kept under David Scott as an agent to the Governor General of Bengal.

18. How did David Scott started his official career?

Ans: David Scott started his official career as the Registrator of Gorakhpur.

19. What were the two divisions of Assam, divided by the East India Company?

Ans: 

a) Western or Lower Assam

b) Eastern or Upper Assam.

20. What was the headquarter of Upper Assam?

Ans: Rangpur.

21. What was the headquarter of Lower Assam?

Ans: Gauhati.

22.When was Lieutenant Colonel Richards resigned from his post?

Ans: In December, 1825.

23. Who succeeded Lieutenant Colonel Richards?

Ans: Neutville.

24 . Who succeeded Neutville?

Ans: Lieutenant Colonel Cooper.

25. Who was appointed Scott's Assistant at Gauhati?

Ans: Captain Adam White.

26. When was Martial Law abolished from Eastern Assam?

Ans: In 1828.

27.When was David Scott died?

Ans: In 1831.

28. When was the Assam Light Infrantry formed?

Ans: In 1826.

29. Write about the change in the military system by the British.

Ans: The British had took some important changes in military system. In 1826 , the Assam Light Infrantry was formed as a result of the withdrawal of permanent British soilders from Assam. Soilders comprising the Hindustani Gorkhas , Manipuris and Rangpur Local Corps formed this army. One section of this army forces was stationed at Biswanath and the other at Sadiya.

30. Why did the British imposed new taxes in Assam?

Ans: To accumulate capital British imposed new taxes in Assam.

31. Write about the reforms introduced in revenue system by the British.

Ans: The imperialist British always looked for the colonial interest. They imposed new taxes in Assam to accumulate capital. They made some reforms in revenue system . These are explained below:

a) To accumulate capital British imposed new taxes in Assam.

b) In upper Assam they abolished the paik system and now all the paiks had to pay a sum of rupees three for the cultivated lands, homestead and gardens. The old staff of the Khel were entrusted to collect the revenues. In upper Assam the general management of the revenue was bestowed on Janardan Barbarua , and he was assisted by Hazarika , Saikia and Bora. Districts were also divided into Mauzas and officers were appointed to collect revenue.

c) Revenue collection of Nagaon and Raha were entrusted to Aradhan Rai and Latepani Phukan respectively.

d) During the tenure of David Scott, separate revenue system was arranged for Lower Assam and Upper Assam. Scott retained the parganas in Lower Assam.

e) In collecting the revenue Sheristadar , Tahbildar , Patowaris and Thakurias were appointed.

f) A separate unit was formed comprising Nagaon and Raha for revenue collection. This unit was placed under jurisdiction of Gauhati.

g) Apart from land revenue Scott also imposed professional taxes on different professions. Weavers , goldsmiths, fisherman, brassworkers etc. had to pay taxes to the British Government in Assam.

h) Survey of land in Lower Assam was completed during the time of David Scott.

i) In Lower Assam a tax of rupees two ( gadhan) was imposed on each paik for which he was to receive three puras of land ( gamati). Apart from it each male had to pay poll tax. This tax was called in Kamrup poll tax or paik tax or plough tax, in Darrang it was called mess - pots and in Nagaon it was called a capitation tax.

31. Write about the judicial reforms introduced by the British.

Ans: David Scott was in the charge of vast administrative unit in the Brahmaputra valley.