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30 chapters
PREFACE.
PREFACE.
To those accustomed only to the comforts of civilized life, or to the traveller who is indifferent to the beauties of scenery, the monotony, silence, and loneliness of the vast forests of Assam, will present few features of attraction; but as the country offers a wide field of discovery, and so many interesting enquiries remain to be prosecuted in regard to the numerous wild tribes by which it is inhabited, it is hoped that the present brief outline of the condition of the people will not prove
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A SKETCH OF ASSAM. CHAPTER I.
A SKETCH OF ASSAM. CHAPTER I.
GOWAHATTY. London, Smith Elder & C o . 65, Cornhill The native town of Gowahatty is built entirely of bamboos, reeds, and grass. To the south an extensive marsh almost surrounds the whole station, and the contiguity of many old tanks, choked with jungle, coupled with the vicinity of the hills on every quarter except the north, renders this town, in spite of the improvements already alluded to, one of the most insalubrious in Assam. In the cold season, from the 1st of November to the 1st
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CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER II.
At Burpetah there is a very long building supported by wooden posts carved with emblems of Hindoo Deities, with a grass roof and mat walls. It is called a shuster, alias temple; and is a religious endowment, where the vedas or holy books of the Hindoos are chanted, and offerings in kind and cash received. A grant of rent-free land, given by the Assam king Sebsunker, in 1657 A.S. or 1735 A.D. is attached to the temple, and a number of disciples, with two chief priests or pontiffs, manage the affa
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CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.
A most deadly poison is extracted from a kind of root denominated Mishmee Bih (or poison) brought from the Mishmee country, on the north-east quarter of Assam. With this the natives in Upper Assam generally cover the tips of their arrows, and destroy elephants for the sake of the ivory tusks. So powerful, so deadly is the effect of the poison, that the slightest scratch or puncture of an arrow smeared with it proves fatal: if not instantaneously, at all events in a few hours after an elephant ha
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KHAMTEES.
KHAMTEES.
The military population of the Suddeah district, on the north bank of the Burrampooter, was estimated at this period to be—Assamese, 691, Khamtees, 428, men capable of bearing arms: multiply these numbers by three, for old men, women, and children, we shall reach a census of 4476 souls. On the south bank, in the district of Saikwah, according to the same calculation, there were,—Assamese, 616, Khamtees, 248, which, with old men, women, and children, amounted in all to 3456 persons; thus making t
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SINGPHOOS.
SINGPHOOS.
Each of the different Singphoo tribes is governed by a chief, designated a Gaum, whose authority over his clan is nearly despotic, and entirely independent of the other chiefs. The general body of clans seldom combine, except for purposes of plunder. Occasionally, however, some chiefs, endowed with superior energy, acquire influence over the rest; and this would appear to have been the case with the Beesa Gaum, when the late Mr. Scott, agent to the Governor-General, entered into a treaty with th
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MUTTUCKS.
MUTTUCKS.
The undeserved insult and chastisement he had received from the Bor Borowa, however, rankled deeply in his breast; and he lost no time, when able to move, in proceeding to the Muttuck Gosain Ushtobhoj, 1 to claim his intercession in obtaining redress for the insufferable dishonour he had been subjected to. The Moa Mureya Gosain Ushtobhoj, commiserating the ill-treatment Rajhan Mooran had met with, resolved, a short time afterwards, on visiting the Rajah to obtain reparation. He accordingly set o
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BOR ABORS, ABORS3 AND MEREES.
BOR ABORS, ABORS3 AND MEREES.
From various reports, the Abors are deemed a very rude, barbarous people, but of open manners and warlike habits; their bluntness of expression is more manly and pleasing than the base servility and sycophancy of the Assamese. As they have been accustomed to levy contributions from the inhabitants of Seesee, and other districts in Assam, they would be dangerous neighbours, if located in the immediate vicinity of the Suddeah people. Not acceding to the terms on which we were disposed to acquiesce
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MISHMEES.
MISHMEES.
The Mishmees, like the Abors, are most skilful in the construction of cane bridges; which they throw across rivers of eighty yards breadth. Three large cane ropes are sufficient to pass a person over in safety; but the transit, to any but a Mishmee, would be impracticable: for few would hazard the risk of falling into a rapid river below, or of being suspended midway on these ropes, unable to retire or advance. Accidents, however, rarely occur, and the Mishmees cross over their rivers in this ma
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DOOANEAHS.
DOOANEAHS.
The province of Assam was invaded about 1224 A.D. , by a band of Ahoom or Shan adventurers; who conquered the country, parcelled out its territory, and subjected the population to a vassalage approximating to that in force under the feudal system of Europe. By this arrangement the whole body of cultivators were divided into different portions, called Khels, varying from one thousand to five thousand cultivators each. They were governed by officers of various grades: those called Borahs, possessi
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ASSAMESE.
ASSAMESE.
In many parts of the province, coal of a good quality, is found; and indeed the soil of Assam generally may be considered extremely rich: it abounds in valuable products, such as rice, sugar-cane, moongah silk, pepper, mustard-seed, and cotton. But the bounty of nature is marred by the indolence and apathy of man: the cultivator seldom looks beyond his immediate wants, and makes no attempt to improve his condition. In fact, in agricultural, commercial, and manufacturing industry, this country ma
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NAGAS.
NAGAS.
To this day little is known either of the country inhabited by the Nagas, or of their habits and customs. Several officers have penetrated a considerable distance into the hills occupied by the Nagas; but always with marked and necessary caution, attended by a military guard. Greater intercourse between the highland Nagas and the people of the plains were much to be wished; but it is doubtful if any advantage would accrue to the British Government from extending its sway southward, over immense
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GARROWS.
GARROWS.
This tribe, although near neighbours of the Garrows, are unlike them in personal appearance. They are an athletic race, but by no means fond of more occupation than will suffice to give them a bare subsistence. This gained, their lives are passed in fishing, bird catching, and hunting, merely by way of pastime. Like all savages, they are untrustworthy. In the year 1829 at Nuncklow, Lieutenants Beddingfield and Burlton were, by the Cosseah Rajah’s order, barbarously massacred. A regular war ensue
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COSSEAHS.
COSSEAHS.
The hills of Bootan, about two hundred and twenty miles long by ninety broad, form the northern boundary of Assam. The population of the country, including the Dooars, is assumed at 145,200 souls, the Bootan hills 79,200, and the Dooars or low lands at 66,000; but this calculation, made by the late Captain Pemberton, has been proved to be greatly in excess of the truth, as regards the population of the Dooars. In 1842 a census was taken of five Dooars: namely, Ghurkola, Banska, Chapagorie, Chapa
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BOOTEAHS.
BOOTEAHS.
A BOOTEAH SERVANT. London Smith Elder & C o 65, Cornhill . The Booteah is a large, athletic man, of a dark complexion, with an unpleasant, heavy, but cunning countenance. Compared with other hill tribes in their neighbourhood, they are deficient in spirit and bravery. For example, in March 1836, A.D. , a party of seventy-five Assam Sebundy Sipahees proceeded against six hundred Booteahs, who were posted in five masses, with a few men extended between each, at Soobunkatta, in Banska Dooar
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SATH BOOTEAH RAJAHS OF KOOREAHPARAH DOOAH, IN DURRUNG.
SATH BOOTEAH RAJAHS OF KOOREAHPARAH DOOAH, IN DURRUNG.
From Booree Gooma Dooar the tribute of 232 rs. 10 ans. 8 pice was also paid in kind, viz:— At the present day the net revenue of Kalling Dooar amounts to 2080 rs. 0 ans. 4 pice, with a population of 1634 persons. Booree Gooma Dooar is estimated to contain 7785 souls, with a net revenue of 5348 rs. 5 ans. 3 pice. Proceeding eastwards from Booree Gooma Dooar, the next Dooar, called Kooreahparah, is under the Sath Booteah Rajahs of Naregooma, subject to the Towung Rajah, who is a tributary of the D
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CHAR DOOAR, OR SHEERGAWN AND ROOPRAE BOOTEAH SATH RAJAHS.
CHAR DOOAR, OR SHEERGAWN AND ROOPRAE BOOTEAH SATH RAJAHS.
Of all the tribes of Booteahs inhabiting the interior or most northern mountains, the Thebingeahs appear to be the most easterly. About forty years ago a quarrel arose between them and the Rooprae Booteahs of Char Dooar, regarding the right to collect contributions or black mail from certain Bohoteahs, or slaves. Being defeated, the Thebingeahs were for eleven years denied all access to the plains by their unrelenting foes. Previous to this feud, the former had the right to collect the whole of
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THEBINGEAH BOOTEAHS.
THEBINGEAH BOOTEAHS.
These tribes reside eastward of the Rooprae and Sheergawn Booteahs, in the mountains north of Burgong, called the Jumara Guyah hills, distant from Burgong, viâ the Dymarahhat or market, about six difficult marches. The whole of the Akha tribe is reported to consist of two hundred families; the Kuppah Choor Akhas, of sixty or seventy families; and the Meeches (who are also, like the Kuppah Choor Akhas, a tribe of Akhas residing far in the interior, north of the whole) are estimated at three or fo
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HUZAREE KHAWA AKHAS.
HUZAREE KHAWA AKHAS.
From all the information obtainable regarding this tribe, they appear to have been always looked upon by their neighbours, the Booteahs and Dufflahs, as a ferocious band of Dacoits or banditti, living entirely upon plunder, and never scrupling to shed blood for the successful prosecution of any unprovoked aggressions, whether on the Booteahs, Dufflahs, or British subjects. In this light the late Mr. David Scott, Agent to the Governor-General, on his first visit to the Char Dooar, regarded this c
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KUPPAH CHOOR AKHAS.
KUPPAH CHOOR AKHAS.
At one time it was the practice in Assam to locate small bodies of troops in stockades along the frontier, north and south of the valley at the foot of the hills; or in the immediate vicinity of hostile tribes, so as to overawe them and prevent predatory incursions into our plains for the capture of slaves and plunder. These posts, being far distant from the support of the head quarters of the respective regiments, and away from the immediate control of European officers, discipline and vigilanc
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DUFFLAHS.
DUFFLAHS.
In 1836–37, an agreement was entered into with the Dufflahs to forego their extortions on receiving from the British Government a fixed sum in lieu of all demands. Unlike the Booteahs, who cannot live in the plains, the Dufflahs seem disposed to adopt agricultural habits; and considerable numbers have deserted their hills and located themselves in the plains, paying revenue for the land they cultivate at the same rate as our Ryots. From these symptoms of industry, we are led to hope that in the
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WORKS IN THE PRESS.
WORKS IN THE PRESS.
THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF ZAMBA, An African Negro Chief. Written by himself. 1 vol. post 8vo. MR. G. P. R. JAMES. THE CASTLE OF EHRENSTEIN, A Romance, by G. P. R. James , Esq., 3 vols. post 8vo. ( just ready .) MR. LEIGH HUNT. MEN, WOMEN, AND BOOKS: A Collection of Essays , by Leigh Hunt , 2 vols. post 8vo. ( very shortly. ) NEW NOVEL. A WHIM AND ITS CONSEQUENCES, 3 vols. post 8vo. ( just ready. ) SIR JOHN HERSCHEL’S OBSERVATIONS IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE. Made during a recent residence at the
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MISCELLANEOUS.
MISCELLANEOUS.
“In the biographical sketches, the Editor has carefully excluded all disagreeable personalities and all unwarrantable anecdotes. The criticisms are entirely upon abstract grounds. He may be often wrong, but it is with a clear conscience.”— Editor’s Preface. “We have two volumes of clever and subtile dissertation on the merits of almost every living writer of any pretension, written in a very animated and pleasant style. The author will at least gain the praise of versatility of talent, and of a
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Scientific Works Illustrated.
Scientific Works Illustrated.
“A work of immense labour and research.... Nothing has ever appeared in lithography in this country at all comparable to these plates; and as regards the representations of minute osseous texture, by Mr. Ford, they are perhaps the most perfect that have yet been produced in any country.... The work has commenced with the Elephant group, in which the authors say ‘is most signally displayed the numerical richness of forms which characterises the Fossil Fauna of India;’ and the first chapter relate
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Oriental and Colonial.
Oriental and Colonial.
“Mr. Jameson is an intelligent and unprejudiced observer, and has made good use of his faculties.”— Spectator. SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE; With Remarks on the Present State and Future Prospects of New South Wales, and Practical Advice to Emigrants of various classes; to which is added a Summary of the Route home, by India, Egypt, &c. By Charles John Baker , Esq. Post 8vo., price 8 s. cloth. CALIFORNIA: A HISTORY OF UPPER AND LOWER CALIFORNIA, From their first Discovery to the present Time; com
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Religious and Educational.
Religious and Educational.
“This is an elegantly-written and highly instructive work for young people, in which a general knowledge of various interesting topics, connected with every-day life, is presented to the youthful mind in an attractive and amusing form.” THE PROGRESS OF CREATION, Considered with reference to the Present Condition of the Earth . An interesting and useful work for young people. By Mary Roberts , Author of “Annals of My Village,” &c. &c. In fcap. 8vo., beautifully illustrated, price
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WORKS BY THE REV. CHARLES B. TAYLER, M.A.
WORKS BY THE REV. CHARLES B. TAYLER, M.A.
“To Christian parents we recommend the work, as admirably adapted to remind them of their important duties, and their awful responsibility; and to our young readers, as affording them much excellent advice and example, and displaying in the most lively colours the high rewards of filial obedience.”— Christian Monitor. III. A VOLUME OF SERMONS On the Doctrines and Duties of Christianity . Second Edition demy 12mo., price 5 s. boards. “Well meriting a high rank among the pious labours of the minis
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Poetry.
Poetry.
THE PALACE OF FANTASY; OR, THE BARD’S IMAGERY. With other Poems. By J. S. Hardy , Author of “Hours of Thought; or, Poetic Musings.” In fcap. 8vo., price 3 s. 6 d. cloth. “There is much of the pure gold of poetry in this handsome little volume.”— Macclesfield Chronicle. “The principal poem in this little volume, written in the Spenserian Stanza and diction, contains many pleasing passages.... Much talent is evinced by the author.”— Oxford Herald. “This poem contains many passages which one would
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Embellished Works and Prints.
Embellished Works and Prints.
“Drawn with great skill, and exceedingly well lithographed; their great value consists in their giving correct representations of the scenes and objects they depict.”— Atlas. A GENERAL VIEW OF THE FALLS OF NIAGARA. Etched in the best manner, on Copper. By F. C. Lewis , Esq., Engraver to the Queen. From a Drawing made on the spot, by Captain James Graham , of H. M. 70th Regiment. On an extended scale of forty-three by nineteen inches. Price, India Proofs, 2 l. 2 s. ; Plain Prints, 15 s. ; beautif
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