ebook img

The Khasis under British Rule (1824-1947) PDF

316 Pages·1998·12.621 MB·English
Save to my drive
Quick download
Download
Most books are stored in the elastic cloud where traffic is expensive. For this reason, we have a limit on daily download.

Preview The Khasis under British Rule (1824-1947)

JNDER BRITISH RUL Helen Giri THE KHASIS UNDER BRITISH RULE Helen Giri Regency Publications ' New Delhi O 1998, The Author ISBN 81-86030-67-0 Published By Regency Publications, 20136-G, Old Market, West Pate1 Nagar, New Delhi 110 008, India and printed at Radiant Printers, New Delhi 110 008, Phones: 574 0038; 571 2539 Telefax: 578 3571. PREFACE The Khasis Under British Rule (1824-1947) was first published in 1990 by Akashi Book Depot, Shillong. The multiple printing errors of the book, for reasons beyond control have caused in- convenience to many readers. I deeply regret. In response to the vital responsibility I owe to research scholars and friends, the same book with modifications, additions, etc., is here again, I hope in proper shape. The hook does not claim perfection. For all the shortcomings and mistakes which might have crept in, I crave'the indulgence of my dear readers. I acknowledge my indebtedness to all the authors whose works I have consulted. I take this opportunity to thank Dr. C.J. Thomas, Deputy Director, ICSSR North Eastern Regional Centre, Shillong for being so kind and helpful to see that the book is published. I am particularly grateful to Ms. Cerilla Khonglah for all the assistance rendered, without a murmur, in supervising the typing of the manuscript by Jean Mebari Blah, both from ICSSR North Eastern Regional Centre, Shillong. I sincerely thank Regency Publications, Delhi for the care and interest taken in the publication of the book. North Eastern Hill University Helen Giri Shillong CONTENTS Preface I. A Profile of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills 11. Early Contacts 111. Ascendancy of the British IV. The Khasi Challenge V. The Political Agency VI. Paramountcy VII. Political Development VIII. Integration of the Khasi States Conclusion Appendices Glossary Select Bibliography CHAPTER I A PROFILE OF THE KHASI AND JAINTIA HILLS Khasi and Jaintia Hills form part of Meghalaya, one of the seven sister states of North Eastern India. Meghalaya came into existence first sls an autonomous state within the state of Assam on April 2, 1970 and then attained the full state- hood on January 21, 1972. It was initially formed with two hills districts, Khasi and Jaintia Hills and the Garo Hills. West Meghalaya comprises of East Garo Hills, West Garo Hills and South Garo Hills. East Meghalaya comprises of namely, East Khasi Hills with Shillong as its headquarter, Jaintia Hills with Jowai as its headquarter, West Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi with Nongstoin and Nongpoh as their respective headquarters. (1) Table shows the area and population: (2) Khasi and Jaintia Hills is a plateau of rolling grassland, meandering rivers, green rolling hills gently sloping towards the plains. There are valleys with deep gorges and precipi- tous ravines. It has a unique and fascinating beauty, typical and natural in its own way. These hills are famous for the attractive natural waterfalls - Dainthlen, Nohkalikai, Nohsngithiang, Spread Eagle's, the Elephant's and a host of others. Almost all the water falls, besides being a source of' joy and beauty, have folk tales or sad tales of human life behind them. Rivers like the Myntdu, the Umiam, the Umngot, the Umkhen and others, hills and mountains like U Kyllang, U Shyllong, U Symper, U Dienpei and others supply an abundant source of folk lore behnd which the history of the people revolves. 2 The Khasis Under British Rule Area and population of community development blocks, 1991 District/Blocks Area Population Villages House- (Sq.Km.1 holds Inhabit- Un- Total ed in- habited Jaintia Hills 1. Thadlaskein 2. Amlarem 3. Laskein 4. Khliehriat East Khasi Hills 1. Nongpoh 2. Bhoi area 3. Mawryngkneng 4. Mylliem 5. Mawphlang 6. Pynursla 7. Mawsynram 8. Shella Bholaganj 9. Mawkynrew West Khasi Hills 798 20 818 1. Mairang 115 - 115 2. Mawkyrwat 196 4 200 3. Nongstoin 233 9 242 4. Mawshynrut 254 7 "61 5. Ranikor N.A. N.A. N.A. P = Provisional N.A. = Information not available * = The area of Ranikor Devp. Block bifurcated from the Blocks are not available. Coming down from the plains, one feels delighted and re- freshed to pass through the sweet scented breeze of the whis- pering pines. Shillong the "Scotland of the East" has among its attraction a full sized polo ground and a race course, a charm- ing cricket field, excellent Golf links, splendid rides, long beau- tiful dnving roads and fine breezy downs for a morning gallop, all of which go to make Shillong, perhaps, the most desirable headquarters of all the Local Governments. As a tourist spot, Thadlaskein lake has its history behind to tell of the Khasi race. The caves and hot springs full of wonder, the thrilling wild life, the crystal streams and springs, all add to the inex- haustible stock of natural beauty. It abounds in magnificient A Profile of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills 3 cascading water falls, fringed with a wide variety of beautiful ferns, moss and orchids, rhododendrons and a large number of monoliths, table stones and cromlechs. The climate is neither too hot or too cold with a plentiful supply of rainfall in summer which helps the growth of gor- geous and luxuriant vegetation. It is famous for receiving the highest rainfall in the world. The Statistical Handbook (1987) shows the rainfall in selected centres as follows: Rainfall in selected centres in mtrs Centre 1982 1983 1984 1985 Jaintia Hills Jowai 3305 3312 1619 East Khasi Hills Upper Shillong 2215 2455 23 16 Cherra Punji 10,468 9773 16,760 11816 Mawsynram 9246 16539 .25,613 14220 West Khasi Hills Nongstoin 4 136 4200 It is rich in mineral products. Coal, limestone and silliman- ite are the three principal minerals in these hills. In Jaintia Hills, the main coal deposits can be found at Bapung, Raliang, Lakadong, Sutnga and others. In Khasi Hills, the main coal deposits can be found at Sohra. Laitryngew, Pynursla in Khasi Hills, Lakadong, Nongkhlieh, Sutnga, Nongtalang and Syndai in Jaintia Hills, sillimanite is found at Mawthengkut near Sonapahar. Kaolin, conducive for the supply of China clay is found at Thadlaskein, Sung area in the Jaintia Hills and Laitlyngkot and Mawphlang in the Khasi Hills. The sillimanite deposits of Mawshymt (Sonapahar) area of the West Khasi Hills district are well known. It is said that the deposits are "largest" single occurence of the mineral in the world. The quantity of 17 known deposits of this mineral is estimated at one lakh tonnes. Feldspar and quarts are found at Hakim with a deposit of 25,000 and 20,000 tonnes respectively. The perenial supply of water in these hills helps in the production of hydel power. Besides in recent years, there has been great develop- ment in animal husbandry, dairying and veterinary services, fisheries, sericulture, industries of various types, private firms run by educated youths are coming up. Land utilisation, crop

See more

The list of books you might like

Most books are stored in the elastic cloud where traffic is expensive. For this reason, we have a limit on daily download.