The late 18th and early 19th centuries marked significant turbulence in Assam’s history, as the Ahom dynasty faced internal rebellions and external invasions. The Moamoria Rebellion and the subsequent Burmese invasions played pivotal roles in shaping Assam’s destiny. Let us delve into these events and understand their historical importance.
Table of Contents
1. The Moamoria Rebellion: An Overview
What Was the Moamoria Rebellion?
The Moamoria Rebellion (1769–1806) was one of the most significant challenges to Ahom rule, initiated by the followers of the Mayamara Satra, also known as the Moamorias or Mataks. This rebellion was not merely a religious uprising but a socio-political movement fueled by discontent among marginalized communities.
The Moamoria Satra
- Founded by Aniruddhadeva, a relative of Srimanta Sankaradeva, in the late 16th century.
- A part of the Kala Samhati, one of the four major groups of Assam’s Satras.
- Promoted egalitarian principles, admitting people from backward classes like the Marans and placing them on par with caste Hindus.
- Their Mahantas, akin to feudal lords, held significant socio-political influence, challenging the authority of the Ahom kings.
2. The First Moamoria Rebellion (1769–70)
Causes of the Rebellion
- Insults and Atrocities: Disrespect toward the Moamoria Mahanta and his followers by Kirti Chandra Barbarua, a powerful Ahom noble.
- Socio-Political Discontent: Growing resentment among the marginalized communities.
- Triggering Incident: In October 1769, Nahar Khora and Ragha Maran, Moamoria disciples, were brutally punished, igniting widespread rebellion.
Major Events
- The Rise of the Marans:
- Led by two courageous women, Bhatuki and Bhabuli (renamed Radha and Rukmini), the Marans resisted the Ahom soldiers and declared independence.
- Capture of Rangpur:
- The Moamorias defeated royal troops, occupied Garhgaon, and marched on to the capital, Rangpur.
- Ramakanta, Nahar Khora’s son, was installed as a puppet king, with Ragha Maran as Barbarua.
- Restoration of Lakshmi Singha:
- By 1770, the rebels’ lack of governance experience allowed royalists to regain control.
- Lakshmi Singha was reinstated, and a brutal massacre of the Marans followed.
3. The Second Moamoria Rebellion (1782–95)
Gaurinath Singha’s Reign (1780–95)
- Lakshmi Singha’s son, Gaurinath Singha, continued the harsh suppression of the Moamorias.
- Brutality: Approximately 700,000 Moamorias were killed in a span of six weeks, leading to environmental contamination from unburied corpses.
- The rebellion intensified in 1782, leading to the temporary occupation of Rangpur and the establishment of parallel rulers, Bharath Singha and Sarbananda Singha.
British Intervention
- Captain Thomas Welsh:
- Sent by Lord Cornwallis in 1792 to assist Gaurinath Singha.
- Defeated the rebels, restoring Ahom authority in 1794.
- Signed a commercial treaty in 1793, laying the groundwork for future British domination in Assam.
4. Dondua Droh
- A revolt in Kamrup led by Haradatta Choudhury and his brother Biradatta.
- The revolt was suppressed by Kalia Bhomora, the Barphukan of the Ahom kingdom.
- As recognition for his efforts, Kalia Bhomora was conferred the title Pratap Ballabh.
- Kalia Bhomora is credited with initiating the idea of constructing a bridge over the Brahmaputra River near Silghat, though the project could not be completed by his successors.
5. The Burmese Invasions of Assam (1817–1824)
Background and Causes
- After Gaurinath Singha’s death in 1795, the Ahom kingdom weakened under puppet rulers like Kamaleswar Singha and Chandrakanta Singha.
- Internal conflicts between nobles like Purnananda Buragohain and Badan Chandra Barphukan prompted Badan Chandra to seek Burmese assistance.
Key Burmese Invasions
- First Invasion (1817):
- A Burmese army of 16,000, led by Badan Chandra, defeated the Ahom forces at Giladhari.
- The invasion ended with Chandrakanta Singha conceding land to the Burmese.
- Second Invasion (1819):
- After Badan Chandra’s assassination, the Burmese reinstated Chandrakanta Singha.
- However, the kingdom faced continued instability.
- Third Invasion (1821):
- The Burmese installed Jogeswar Singha, marking the start of Burmese rule in Assam (1821–1824).
- This period saw widespread atrocities, plunder, and devastation.
6. British Intervention and the Treaty of Yandabo (1826)
First Anglo-Burmese War (1824–1826)
- The Burmese threat to Bengal prompted Lord Amherst, the Governor-General, to declare war in 1824.
- The Treaty of Yandabo (1826) ended the war, forcing the Burmese to withdraw from Assam.
Aftermath
- Assam was placed under British administration, marking the end of the Ahom dynasty’s rule.
6. Legacy of the Moamoria Rebellion and Burmese Invasions
Impact on the Ahom Dynasty
- The rebellion and invasions weakened the once-powerful Ahom kingdom, paving the way for British intervention.
- The last Ahom capital was shifted to Jorhat under Gaurinath Singha’s reign.
Cultural and Political Shifts
- Highlighted the socio-political grievances of marginalized communities.
- Introduced the British as a major force in Assam’s political landscape.
FAQs About the Moamoria Rebellion and Burmese Invasions
Q1: What triggered the Moamoria Rebellion?
Ans: Socio-religious discrimination and atrocities against the Moamorias by Ahom nobles like Kirti Chandra Barbarua.
Q2: What was the Treaty of Yandabo?
Ans: A peace treaty signed in 1826 that ended the First Anglo-Burmese War, leading to the withdrawal of Burmese forces from Assam.
Q3: How did the British benefit from these events?
Ans: The rebellion and invasions weakened the Ahom kingdom, enabling the British to establish control over Assam for revenue and trade purposes.
Follow Us
Stay connected and updated with our latest offerings by following us on Youtube
.
