The Revolt of 1857 in Assam: Causes, Impact, and Key Figures
The Revolt of 1857 in Assam
Q1. Discuss in brief the causes of the revolt of 1857-58.
The Revolt of 1857 was a prolonged period of armed uprising and rebellions in Northern and Central India against British occupation. It began with small instances of discontent in January, escalating into a full-fledged war by May. This war ended the British East India Company’s rule, leading to the British Raj’s direct rule for the next 90 years. The rebellion in Assam was an offshoot of this larger revolt.
Causes of the Revolt of 1857-58
- Introduction of land revenue and money economy: This new system impoverished the people of Assam, who were unaccustomed to it, leading to frustration and resentment.
- Unemployment of Ahom nobility: While some were initially involved in British administration, many lost their jobs as educated Bengalis were increasingly employed, causing resentment among the Ahom aristocracy.
- Abolition of slavery in 1843: This led to a shortage of labor for domestic and agricultural work, causing resentment among certain sections of society.
Q4. Discuss the importance of the revolt of 1857 in Assam.
The 1857 revolt began in Meerut, Northern India. Maniram Dewan, a prominent figure, aimed to organize a similar rebellion in Assam but failed.
Importance of the Revolt
- Association with a major historical event: For the first time, Assam was directly involved in a significant historical event in India.
- Inspiration for future revolts: The 1857 revolt inspired numerous peasant revolts in Assam between 1860 and 1894, seen as reactions to the failed rebellion.
- Influence on the national movement: The sacrifices of Maniram Dewan, Piyoli Barua, and others inspired many Assamese to participate in the Indian independence movement led by Mahatma Gandhi.
- Promotion of communal harmony: The revolt’s organizers included prominent figures from both Hindu and Muslim communities, fostering a sense of unity and nationalism.
Q3. Discuss the reasons why the revolt of 1857-58 failed in Assam.
Causes of the Failure
- Limited support: The revolt had limited support, mainly concentrated in Jorhat and Sibsagar, with little support from other regions like Nowgaon, Kamrup, and Guwahati.
- Delayed execution: Delays in executing the revolt gave the British ample time to prepare countermeasures and suppress the rebellion.
- Geographical distance and communication challenges: Maniram Dewan’s distance from the scene of the revolt in Calcutta made effective communication and command difficult.
- Lack of military support: Unlike the sepoy-led rebellion in other parts of India, the Assam revolt lacked the support of local army units, relying mainly on disgruntled nobles.
- Lack of secrecy and weapons: The rebels failed to maintain secrecy, and their plans were discovered by the British. They also lacked access to sufficient arms and ammunition.
Q2. Discuss the role of Maniram Dewan in the revolt of 1857-58 in Assam.
Maniram Dewan, originally Maniram Borbhandar Barua, traveled to Calcutta in 1857 to petition for the restoration of Kandarpeswar Singha to the throne of Assam. However, he was unable to meet the Lieutenant Governor.
When the Sepoy Mutiny broke out in Meerut, Maniram Dewan was in Calcutta. He conspired with Madhu Malik, a Bengali Muktiayar, to overthrow the British in Assam. They planned for Prince Kandarpeswar Singha to lead the soldiers in Assam while Maniram Dewan would procure arms from Calcutta. However, the British intercepted their letters, leading to the arrest of Kandarpeswar Singha and other leaders.
Maniram Dewan was arrested in Calcutta before he could reach Assam with weapons. His supporters, including Piyoli Barua, were also arrested. Kandarpeswar Singha was imprisoned until 1860 and later allowed to reside in Gauhati under British surveillance.
Despite its failure, Maniram Dewan’s attempt to overthrow the British and restore the Ahom monarchy in Assam is a significant event in the state’s history.
Money and Barter System
Q1. Explain four demerits of the barter system.
Demerits of the Barter System
- Lack of double coincidence of wants: For a barter exchange to occur, both parties must desire what the other possesses. This is often difficult to achieve in a dynamic society.
- Difficulties in the measurement of value: Without a common measure of value, it was challenging to determine the relative worth of different goods, leading to complexities in exchange.
- Difficulty of divisibility: Some goods are indivisible, making it difficult to exchange them for smaller quantities of other goods.
- Difficulty of storage: Storing goods for future use was problematic in the barter system, especially for perishable items.
Q2. Explain any four characteristics of money.
Characteristics of Money
- General acceptability: Money must be widely accepted as a medium of exchange.
- Cognizability: Money should be easily recognizable to facilitate transactions.
- Durability: Money should be durable and not easily perishable to serve as a store of value.
- Homogeneity: Money of the same denomination should be identical in all respects.
- Liquidity: Money should be easily convertible into goods and services.
- Transferability: Money should be easily transferable between individuals and across locations.
Q4. Is a cheque money? Give reasons for your answer.
A cheque is not money. It is an instruction to a bank to pay a specific amount from one account to another.
Reasons why a cheque is not money:
- Lack of liquidity: A cheque cannot be instantly converted into money.
- Lack of general acceptability: Cheques are not universally accepted as a medium of exchange.
- Lack of cognizability: Cheques can bounce, creating problems in transactions.
Q3. Explain four major functions of money.
Functions of Money
- Medium of exchange: Money facilitates the exchange of goods and services, eliminating the need for double coincidence of wants.
- Measure of value: Money provides a common unit for measuring the value of different goods and services.
- Store of value: Money can be stored and used for future transactions, acting as a store of purchasing power.