The Khasis under British Rule (1824-1947)

316 Pages·1998·12.621 MB·English

by  Helen Giri

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