SEBA Class 10 Social Science Chapter 4 in English Indian Freedom Movement and National Awakening in Assam

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Class 10 Social Science Chapter 4 Indian Freedom Movement and National Awakening in Assam

SEBA Class 10 Social Science Question Answer Chapter 4 Indian Freedom Movement and National Awakening in Assam in English। Social Science Guide for Class 10th Chapter 4 in English | Also Same NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social In this post we have tried to explain to you that Class 10 Social Science Question Answer Chapter 4 in English. If you are a teacher or Student of English Medium, then this is for you. Notes for Class 10 Social Science In English Medium can be very beneficial। Ncert/Scert Social Class 10 Chapter 4 Please read this carefully. By studying this SEBA Class 10 Social Science Question Answer Chapter 4 carefully, you can get good marks in your upcoming examination.

Chapter 4 Indian Freedom Movement and National Awakening in Assam

Part: I History

TEXTUAL EXERCISE & ANSWERS

Very Short Answer Type Questions:

1. When was all Assam Ryot Sabha established?

Ans. All Assam Ryot Sabha was established in 1933.

2. Who was the secretary of Ahom Sabha?

Ans. The Secretary of Ahom Sabha was the Padmanath Gohain Baruah.

3. When and under whose leadership was Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha constituted?

Ans. Jorhat Sarbojonic Sabha was constituted in 1884 by Jagannath Barua at Jorhat.

4. Who were the first President and Secretary of Assam Provincial Congress Committee?

Ans. Kuladhar Chaliha and Chabilal Upadhyay were the first President and Secretary of Assam Provincial Congress Committee.

5. Who was the first formally elected president of APCC?

Ans. The first formaly elected president of APCC was Bishnuram Medhi.

6. When was the Treaty of Yandaboo signed?

Ans. The Treaty of Yandaboo was signed on 26th February, 1826.

7. Which period is known as Company Raj in Assam?

Ans. The period from 1826 to 1858 is known as Company Raj in Assam.

8. When the name Assam Medical College was formaly introduced?

Ans. The name Assam medical college was formally introduced on 3rd November 1947.

9. When was the Gauhati Medical College formally started?

Ans. The Gauhati Medical College was formaly started on 20th September 1960.

10. When was Bengali Language introduced in Assam?

Ans. The Bengali Language was introduced in Assam in 1837.

11. When was Bengali Language replaced by Assamese language?

Ans. The Bengali Language was replaced by Assamese Language in 1873.

12. What was the mouthpiece of Assam Chatra Sanmilan?

Ans. Milan was the mouthpiece of Assam Chatra Sanmilan.

13. What was the main objectives of the Ryot Sabha?

Ans. The main objectives of the Ryot Sabha was:

(i) demanded for the abolition of grazing tax

(ii) reduction of land tax.

(iii) to ban the migration to peasants from east Bengal.

14. Who was the first Prime Minister of Assam and when was he elected.

Ans. Gopinath Bordoloi was the first Prime Minister of Assam and he was electes in 1946.

15. On what crime Kushal Konwar was hanged?

Ans. Kushal Konwar was hanged in connection with derailment of a train at Barpathar.

16. When was Gauhati University established?

Ans. Gauhati University was established in 26th January, 1948.

Short Answer Type Questions:

1. What were the issues raised by Assam Association between the British Government?

Ans. The issues raised by Assam Association before the British Govern- ment were:

(a) It was critical of the predominance of government officials in the Municipal Committee and of tea planters in the Local Boards.

(b) It demanded democratisation of the local bodies.

(d) It was concerned about the development of the province in the field of education. Hence, it negotiated for the representation of Assam in the Calcutta University Syndicate, appointment of Assamese teachers in Cotton College, establishment of technical institutions.

2. Mention about the Assamese leaders who had led the non-cooperation Movement in Assam.

Ans. The Non-cooperation movement in Assam reached its climax with the visit of Gandhi to Assam in August 1921. In all the meetings addressed by Gandhi in major towns were attended by large section of people. Respond- ing to the appeal made by Gandhi people joined boycott movement by organising huge bonfires of British goods.

Under the leadership of Chandranath Sarma, Hemchandra Barua, Omeo Kumar Das, Muhibuddin Ahmed, the youth of Assam participated in the movement by boycotting government educational institutions.

Some of the prominent youth leaders of the movement were Lakhidhar Sarma, Rohinikanta Hatibarua, Bimalakanta Barua, Kanak Chandra Barua, Benudhar Sarma, Tilak Sarma and so on. Following the students many law- yers like Nabin Chandra Bordoloi, Kuladhar Chaliha, Tarunram Phukan, Kamini Kumar Chanda, Bishnuram Medhi left their legal practices and joined the movement. Many government officials and teachers also left their jobs.

3. Write a brief note on Assamese Literary Society.

Ans. In Calcutta we find more strong initiatives by the students from Assam to form associations in order to improve the Assamese language and literature. The first known association formed in Calcutta was the Assamese Literary Society established in 1872 under the leadership of Devicharan Barua and Gangagovinda Phukan. The proclaimed objective of the society was literary, yet it also played a political role.

In 1872, two of its illustrious, members, Jagannath Barua and Manik Chandra Barooah, on behalf of the society submitted a memorandum to the Viceroy, Lord Northbrook appealing, to take necessary steps for the development of the natural resources of Assam and linking Assam with Bengal by railway. The Society was active till 1885

4. Give a brief trace of important demands of Ahom Sabha.

Ans. The period of 1889 in referred to Jonaki Era. Jonaki, the mouthpiece of the ABUSS played a significant role in literary and cultural regeneration of Assam. The cultural and literary renaissance started by Orunodoi reached its zenith in the pages of Jonaki. Chandrakumar Agarwala was the first editor of Jonaki.

It successfully brought out new literary talents amongst the Assamese intelligentsia of the period. Chandrakumar Agarwala, the editor of Jonaki, in the inaugural issue, made it clear that the politics of rulers was beyond the purview of Jonaki. Consequently, Jonaki never dabbled in politics, but the articles and poems published in it reflected the nationalistic views of the authors.

One of the recurrent themes of Jonaki was the decline of indigenous commerce and industries of Assam after British annexation and about regenerating economic self-dependence. Kanaklal Barua and Kamalakanta Bhattacharya regularly wrote about the economic backwardness of Assam and made urgent appeal to ensure economic progress of Assam.

Lakshminath Bezbarua’s, ‘Mor Desh’, ‘Assam Sangeet’, ‘Been Boragi’ etc. and the writings of Ambikagiri Raichoudhury used to popularise nationalistic sentiments. Jonaki was successful in regenerating cultural and social consciousness in Assam.

5. Write Briefly on the political demands of Ahom Sabha.

Ans. The Ahom Sabha was formed in 1893 by Padmanath Gohain Baruah. The first session of the Sabha was held at Sivsagar in 1893. One of the first activities of the body was an anti opium campaign.

The chief aim of the Sabha was to demand for privilege for the Ahoms in the British administration and to revive their traditional religion, language and social customs thereby re-establishing cultural identity of the Ahoms.

The Sabha also demanded for providing opportunities to the Ahoms by considering them as separate community in terms of economic and educational backwardness.

In 1910, the, Sabha was renamed as the Ahom Association. It became overtly political.

A significant political demand of the Sabha was:

(a) to get recognition for the Ahoms as a minority community and reservation of seats in the Assembly and a separate electorate for Ahoms. The Association worked hard towards this goal throughout 1930s and 40s.

(b) in 1941, the Association witnessed internal division amongst its members. A section of them was inspired by the National Congress and formed a separate organisation, Nationalist Ahom Association. It became gradually weak by 1950.

6. Write about Cunningham Circular.

Ans. On 6 and 14 May 1930, students in the Brahmaputra valley resorted to the boycott of their institutions to demonstrate their protest. Meanwhile, the situation became more sensitive when R.J. Cunnigham, Director of Public Instruction, issued a circular on May 1930, popularly known as Cunningham Circular asking students and their parents to provide written undertaking guaranteeing that the students would not participate in any kind of political activity. Those found guilty would be punished by imposing fines and depriving of scholarships and also expulsion in case of severe ‘crimes’. The students sharply reacted to such humiliating diktat and it further sparked off the Civil Disobedience movement in the region.

7. Write briefly about the problems faced by the Ministry of Gopinath Bordoloi after independence.

Ans. The elections conducted after the World War II in 1946, the Indian National Congress emerged as the majority party by winning 58 seats out of 108 seats. Thus, Congress formed the government with Gopinath Bordoloi as the Prime Minister (Chief Minister) of Assam.

The members of his ministry were Basanta Kr. Das, Bishnuram Medhi, J Nichols Roy, Ramnath Das, Baidyanath Mukherjee and Abdul Matlib Mazumdar.

The problems faced by the Ministry of Gopinath Bordoloi after indepen- dence were:

(a) Immediately after independence, the North Eastern region had to face the problem of borderland. The partition of India disrupted the communication between the north-eastern region and the rest of India with a narrow strip of 12 miles between Nepal and East Pakistan that allowed land transportation.

(b) Railway lines and river transportation between West Bengal and Assam ran through East Pakistan. The partition also disrupted the complex eco- nomic ties that existed between Bengal-Assam-Arakan regions.

(c) This region enjoyed a dynamic global economy through its agro-industries producing tea, indigo, jute, silk and cotton textiles. After the partition the newly formed states disentangled the economy of the region in order to build up their own national economy.

(d) The pre partitioned trade now became illegal and it went underground. However, certain cross border trade that would be profitable for the reconstruction of national economics was supported by the state. Besides economic disruption, the region had to deal with the problem of the immigrants from East Pakistan and a major conflict between Indian and China in 1962. Thus the region turned into a geographically isolated area, but at the same time a strategically sensitive area.

8. Write briefly about activities of Boycott Movement of foreign goods in Assam.

Ans. In the meantime the effect of the Swadeshi movement established up to Assam. The influence the movement was seen mainly in Dhubri, Gahpur, Goalpara, Guwahati, Tezpur, Dibrugarh etc. town of the Brahmaputra valley.

Asom Keshari Ambikagiri Raychoudhury and Gobindha Lahiri formed revolutionary organization among the students of Guwahati. They called for using indigenous commodities and boycotting foreign goods in the districts of Assam. The people of Assam used local Eri, muga, cotton and khadi cloths instead of foreign cloths A group of students in Guwahati worked as labour in dock twice in a week and donated the money to the fund of Swadeshi movement thus earned.

9. What effect of Cunningham Circular was seen in spreading civil Disobedience Movement in Assam?

Ans. The Civil Disobedience Movement took off with the preparation of. salt by Gandhi by boiling the sea-water on 6th April, 1930 at Dandi.

Tarun Ram Phukan and Rohini Kumar Chaudhury while trying to keep away the students from the movement attained a certain degree of success in Guwahati.

While thus the movement had been progressing in a slow space, a circular issued by the Director of Public Instruction of Assam on 19th May changed the entire character of the movement itself. The Director of Public instruction of Assam during the period from 1912 to 1931 was John Richard Cunningham. With a view to keeping away the students from the movement he issued a circular, and after his name the circular came to be known as the ‘Cunningham Circular’.

But the circular instead of working to keep away the students from the movement instigated them to participate in overwhelming numbers. In other words, as if the curse had become the blessing, the circular worked well in organizing the movement in Assam. In the language of Krishnanath Sarma, a sincere Congressman of the time, “In 1930, the government with the help of the Cunningham Circular made the students run the movement. For the success of the Civil Disobedience Movement in Assam, thanks could not but be given to the Cunningham Circular….. Good comes sometimes out of the evil.”

10. Write brief history of establishment of Assam Agricultural University.

Ans. The origin of the Assam Agricultural University can be traced back to 1913 when an agricultural research station was established at Karimganj followed by another at Titabar in 1923.

Though the stations continued their research and training, yet it became imperative to have an agricultural and a veterinary college which led to the establishment of the Assam Agricultural College at Jorhat and the Assam Veterinary College at Nagaon in 1948.

In 1969, the Assam Agricultural University was established embracing both these Colleges and shifting the Veterinary College from Nagaon to the present location at Khanapara, Guwahati.

Assam Agricultural University was the first institution of its kind in the whole of North-East India.

The main objectives of the Assam Agricultural University are:

(i) To produce globally competitive human resources in farm sector.

(ii) To carry out research in both conventional and frontier areas for production.

(iii) To optimise as well as disseminate the generated technologies as public goods.

(iv) To expand the use of technology for benefitting the food growers or producers.

(v) To maintain a balance among all the stakeholders of agricultural sector while emphasising on sustainability, equity and overall food security at household level.

11. Write brief history of establishment of Assam Medical College.

Ans. Assam Medical College situated at Dibrugarh is the first medical college in north-eastern India. The history of the college can be traced back to the Berry White School of Medicine which was established at Dibrugarh in 1900 using a donation of Rs. 50,000.00 from Doctor John Berry White, civil surgeon of the East India Company.

In 1910 the college imported two x-ray machines from England. After the Second World War the college was shifted to nearby hospital premises that had been used by the US Army. After independence, on 3 November 1947 the college was formally renamed to become Assam Medical College.

With increasing demands for health care and health education, the need for more medical colleges in Assam was keenly felt. The State Government in 1959 headed by Bimala Prasad Chaliha, the then Chief Minister of Assam, Mr. Fakaruddin Ali Ahmed, the then Finance Minister, and Mr. Rupnath Brahma, the then Health Minister of Assam decided to have a second medi- cal college in Assam.

Accordingly, an expert committee was set up on 7 November 1959. The committee submitted its report on 26 April 1960. By a State Government order dated 26 June 1960, Dr. S.N. Sarma, the then Principal and Superintendent of the Assam Medical College & Hospital, Dibrugarh was entrusted with the responsibility to make all necessary arrangements for starting the preclinical classes at Jalukbari from August, 1960.

12. Write briefly about the role of Jorhat Sarbajonik Sabha on the use of opium.

Ans. The Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha was the representative organization of the people hailing from the tea planting class, legal professionals like advocates, landholders, and Marwary and Bengali traders and merchants. This organization opposed the prohibition of opium in Assam.

On 11 November, 1893 a meeting of the Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha was held under the presidentship of Jagannath Baruah with the sole purpose of sending a memorial requesting the Royal Opium Commission in 1893 to continue the prevalence of opium in Assam. Devicharan Baruah, General Secretary of the Sabha, placed before it a memorandum in the form of a resolution meant for submission to the Royal Opium Commission through the Chief Commissioner of Assam. All the members present in the meeting unanimously accepted the same.

On the supposition of the people being brought under additional taxation in the event of opium prohibition, they opposed the prohibition of opium in Assam through the memorandum. The memorandum, signed respectively by the president Jagannath Baruah and secretary Devicharan Baruah, was submitted to the Chief Commissioner of Assam.

Long Answer Type Questions:

1. Give an account of the objectives and role of the Ryot Sabhas.

Ans. By the end of the 19th century, Tezpur Ryot Sabha in Darrang district and Nagao Ryot Sabha in Nowgong were established to resolve the problems faced by the peasants.

In strengthening and executing the action plans of Tezpur Ryot Sahha, Lakshmikanta Barkakoty, Haribilash Agarwala, Lambodar Bora, Bhabanicharan Bhattacharya and many eminent personalities belonging to the newly organised middle class played a major role.

The Ryot Sabha raised its voice against the newly introduced land settlement in Assam by the colonial state.

The main objective of the Ryot Sabha were:

(i) the abolition of grazing tax.

(ii) reduction of land tax.

(i) to ban the migration of peasants from east Bengal.

Role of the Ryot Sabha:

During Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-34), Ryot Sabha was re-established under the guidance of Assam Provincial Congress Committee. Under the banner of Ryot Sabha, the leaders of the Congress attempted at mobilising the peasants. Ryot Sabhas came up in Sibsagar and Darrang districts.

The Ryot Sabha of Naduar and Chayduar were very strong between 1930 and 1939. During the period of the Civil Disobedience the most important demand of the Ryot Shahas was the reduction of land tax by 50 percent.

However, the sabha did not play significant role in the peasant movement of 1893-94, which took place at Rangia (Kamrup), Lachima, Sarthebari and Patharughat (Darrang) against the enhancement of land tax.

To direct all the Ryot Sabhas towards a common goal or objective a central committee, the All Assam Ryot Sabha was formed and its first session was held near tilikiyam in Jorhat on 8 April 1933 under the presidentship of Congress leader Nabinchandra Bordoloi.

In the second session held at Dergaon around 3000 peasants were present. During the period between 1934 and 1939 around 300 Ryot Sabhas were established in different parts of Assam. Gradually, by the end of 1940, the Ryot Sabhas lost its vigour and in many parts the Ryot Sabhas were included within the Provincial Congress Committees.

2. Discuss the role and activities of Asomiya Bhasa Unnati Sadhini Sabha.

Ans. By the middle of the 19th century, Assam witnessed the growth of a newly emerged educated Assamese middle class. Another significant development of the period was the growth of national awareness. As a result, the new middle class made efforts to organise itself. One of the earliest associations was the Gyan Pradayini Sabha initiated by Anandaram Dhekiyal Phukan and Gunaviram Barua in 1857.

Anandaram Dhekiyal Phukan strongly opposed the introduction of the Bengali language in schools, offices and courts in place of Assamese in 1836. Consequently, there had been heated debate in the press regarding the independent status of the Assamese language and re-establishing it in schools and offices. This movement for the Assamese language eventually led to the growth of cultural regeneration in Assam. It was only in 1873 the Assamese language was re-established. However, in the process language became a marker of Assamese nationalism.

With the growing attacks on the Assamese language in the Bengali press the Assamese students in Calcutta felt the need to organise an association to enrich the Assamese language and literature.

Consequently in 1888, the Asomiya Bhasa Unnati Sadhini Sabha was formed and it soon matured into a literary organisation under the able guidance of students like Hemchandra Goswami, Lakshminath Bezbarua, Kanaklal Barua, Ramakanta Barkakati and Chandrakumar Agarwala. The Asomiya Bhasa Unnati Sadhini Sabha aroused a sense of unity and national awareness amongst the Assamese. To develop a strong scientific base for the Assamese language, the Sabha took the initiative of adopting a correct and standardised grammatical system in all the vernacular schools of Assam.

It also decided to compile a comprehensive social history of Assam and to translate the important Sanskrit works into Assamese. It was due to the initiative of the Asomiya Bhasa Unnati Sadhini Sabha, the government undertook the publication of Hemchandra Barua’s magnum opus, Hemkosh.

The Asomiya Bhasa Unnati Sadhini Sabha used to hold regular scholarly discussions on various subjects like Assam’s history, culture, literature and language. It also sought to establish branches in different parts of Assam.

Several Assamese students who returned to Assam after completion of their studies at Calcutta formed branches in Kohima, Tezpur, Dibrugarh, Sibsagar, Nowgong, Golaghat, Barpeta, Goalpara, Jorhat, and Guwahati. The most significant contribution of the Asomiya Bhasa Unnati Sadhini Sabha was the publication of their journal, Jonaki which ushered in a new era in Assamese literature.

3. Write about the contribution of Assam Chatra Sanmilan.

Ans. The growth of national awareness also inspired the formation of the Assam Chatra Sanmilan and its first session was held on 25 December 1916 at Guwahati under the Presidentship of Lakshminath Bezbarua. The founder secretary was Chandranath Sarma.

The chief objective of the Sanmilan was to enrich the mother tongue by contributing towards its development and preservation. The Chatra Sanmilan also attempted at exchanging views amongst all the students of schools and colleges of Assam. At its inception, the Sanmilan kept politics away from its purview, yet many of its leaders supported, participation of students in national politics. Though it was not a political organisation, it helped in the growth of a conscious group of Assamese students.

Eminent personalities from different fields like education, politics and literature used to participate in the annual sessions of the Sanmilan. Prominent amongst them were Lakshminath Bezbarua, Padmanath Gohain Baruah, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray, and Krishna Kanta Handique. The mouth- piece of Assam Chatra Sanmilan was MILAN. The Sanmilan made remark- able contribution to the growth of Assam’s educational, cultural, and literature and also to the growth of national consciousness.

4. Write about the objectives and activities of Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha.

Ans. The Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha was founded in 1884 by Jagannath Barua at Jorhat. It was a landmark in the political associations of Assam. The founder President of the Sabha was Raja Naranarayan Simha and Jagannath Barua became the secretary.

Barua while studying at Presidency College, Calcutta was inspired by the work of associations like the Atmiya Sabha, Patriot’s Association, Indian Association and others in Bengal. He wanted to form similar association in Assam to represent the aspirations and grievances of the people and to pressures the government to take steps to develop the province.

The main objectives of the Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha were:

(a) To represent the aspirations of the people to the government.

(b) To explain government politics to the people.

Although the Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha avoided coming into direct confrontation with the government, but it raised its voice against exploitative government policies.

The few activities taken by the Sabha were:

(a) It raised voice against the introduction of the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation Act, 1886.

(b) In 1892-93, it took up the cause of the ryots who protested against the enhancement of revenue.

(c) In 1893, the Sabha submitted a memorandum to the Royal Commission on Opium asking for gradual abolition of opium in Assam.

The Sabha was strongly against the partition of Bengal in 1905. The Sabha opined that the political future of Assam would be endangered if Assam is annexed with East Bengal.

The then Chief Commissioner of Assam Bam Fylde Fuller arrived at Guwahati (Municipality office) on 1 November, 1905 and explained how the partition of Bengal would benefit Assam. Manik Ch. Baruah the Secretary of Assam Association and Jagannath Baruah the president of Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha were convinced to be benefitted and gave up anti Bengal partition mentality.

The Sabha demanded that the interests of the Assamese people should be reserved for them in the new province. The Sabha became weak after the death of Jagannath Baruah and survived up to 1921.

5. Write on the contribution of Assam Association towards social reform in British ruled Assam.

Ans. A broad based provincial forum to apprise the Government of the wishes and aspirations of the people of Assam became an urgent need. This led to the formation of the Assam Association in 1903 by Manik Chandra Baruah.

In 1905, the first session of the Association was held in Dibrugarh. In this session, it formally elected Raja Prabhat Chandra Baruah as its President, Jagannath Baruah as Vice-President and Manik Chandra Barua as General Secretary.

The Association served as the mouth piece of the people of Assam in presenting to the authorities their ‘needs and grievances, hopes and aspirations”. Until World War I the National Congress had negligible presence in Assam, and the Assam Association was the most influential organisation during that period.

Like Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha, it did not believe in direct confrontation with the authorities. The Association followed peaceful and constitutional methods to bring change.

Some of the members of the Association were also the members of the Legislative Council, and therefore, could influence the Government through their speeches and debates on the floor of the Council.

Some examples of work done by Assam Association are:

(a) It was critical of the predominance of government officials in the Municipal Committee and of tea planters in the Local Boards.

(b) It demanded democratisation of the local bodies.

One of the major issues undertaken by the Association was to oppose the incorporation of Assam into a single province named as Eastern Bengal and Assam in 1905. In 1907, the Association submitted a memorandum to the Secretary of State for india to separate Assam from East Bengal.

It demanded the introduction of the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms of 1918 in Assam as well. For this purpose the Association sent a team of seven members to Calcutta in 1917 The Association even sent Nabin Chandra Bordoloi and Prasanna Kumar Baruah to London for the same. Due to the pressure built up by the Association, Assam came under the reforms of Montagu-Chelmsford. Another major demand put forward by the Associa- tion in 1920 was the demand for the establishment of a university in Assam.

The Assam Association got actively involved in the Non-Cooperation Movement, 1921 Finally its members felt that Association should identify itself with the aims and ideals of the Congress and change its provincial outlook in order to serve the larger interest of the country’s ultimate goal in the struggle for freedom.

In 1916 India, by the end of the 19th century, voice of dissent against colonial dominance began to stir the people of Assam. Gradually the voice of dissent against the British rule found expression in the writings of several prominent personalities of the time arousing feelings of nationalism in the region. Several socio-cultural organisations were formed to highlight the problems and aspirations of the common people.

6. Give brief description on the creation and the role of Assam Provincial Congress Committee.

Ans. The Assam Association had already actively participating in the national politics under the leadership of the Congress. Many of its leaders felt that the Association should identify itself with the aims and ideals of the Congress. At the same time, some other members refused to get amalgamated with the Congress. However, the plans and programmes of the Congress started immensely attracting the middle class.

As a result, a discussion to amalgamate the Association with the Congress took place at a meeting of the association held at Jorhat on 18 April, 1921 with Chobilal Upadhyay in the chair. At the initiative of leaders like Chobilal Upadhyay, Nabin Chandra Bordoloi, Krishna Kanta Bhattacharya, Assam Association decided to merge itself in the newly formed Assam Provincial Congress Committee in 1921 which was affiliated to the Indian National Congress.

Subsequently, an ad hoc committee of Assam Provincial Congress Committee was formed in June 1921, with its headquarter at Guwahati and Kuladhar Chaliha as its president.

Later Tarun Ram Phookan became the president. Under the initiative of the Assam Provincial Congress Committee, Gandhi was invited to Assam in 1921 to propagate the message of non-co-operation. His visit tremendously encouraged the congress workers to carry out the non-cooperation movement and implement the principles of Swadeshi. At Pandu in 1926, the 41 All India Congress Committee session was hosted by the Assam Provincial Congress Committee.

In the following years, leaders like Bishnuram Medhi, Siddhinath Sarmah, Maulana Tayebullah, Ambikagiri Raichoudhury and a host of prominent members took the initiative to implement the plans and programmes of the Congress.

The first officially elected President of the Assam Provincial Congress Committee was Bishnuram Medhi who was elected in 1930 for a period of 9 years.

The Congress party could finally secure a major victory in the general elections held in 1946 and Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi became the first Premier of the Assam Province.

7. Write about the Quit India Movement in Assam.

Ans. All India Congress Committee in Bombay on August 8, 1942, passed on the famous ‘Quit India’ or ‘Bharat Choro’ resolution. It was during the course of this movement that Gandhi gave his powerful slogan, ‘Do or Die’. People from all walks of life participated in the movement.

The government on its part suppressed the agitation with an iron hand. The Congress party was declared illegal, and its leaders including Gandhi were put behind bars. Thousands were arrested and imprisoned. A large number of people were killed and many more were wounded.

Like in other parts of India, in Assam also the major Congress leaders were arrested and the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, the District Congress Committee and other subsidiary bodies were declared unlawful. All forms of meeting, hartals, and gatherings were banned.

The movement in Assam started with non-violent methods of hartals, processions, demonstrations, and picketing. However, leaders being in jail and with the growing police atrocities the movement turned into rebellion. The people attacked government buildings, destroyed railway tracks and sabotaged military supply lines.

Particularly, in Nagaon and Darrang districts, government buildings were regularly attacked and officers were assaulted. There were incidences of sabotage on railways near Shahabibazar in Habiganj, Sarupathar in Golaghat, at Panbari and Rangiya in Kamrup and Suffrai in Sibsagar.

Throughout the country, the British responded to the movement by mass arrests and public flogging. Hundreds of innocent people died in this violence and the Congress leadership was cut off from the rest of the world till the war was over.

In Assam too, the government started taking stern measures to repress the movement. Kushal Konwar was hanged in connection with derailment of a train at Sarupathar. He was the only martyr to be hanged in India during the Quit India Movement.

Brutal police firings took place at Patacharkuchi (Barpeta), Fakiragram (Goalpara), Dhekiyajuli and Gohpur (both in Darrang district) killing hundreds of people including a 14 year old girl, Kanaklata Barua of Gohpur. It was genuinely a mass movement bringing into it hundreds of thousands of ordinary Indians. Isolated incidents of violence broke out around the country, but the British acted quickly and arrested thousands of people and kept them in jail till 1945.

Apart from filling up jails with rebellious leaders, the British also went ahead and abolished civil rights, freedom of speech and freedom of press. The brutal repression did end the mass phase of the struggle, but few lead- ers who had escaped arrest went into hiding and tried to guide, the mass movement by consolidating underground networks.

Among them were Jai Prakash Narayan, S. M. Joshi, Aruna Asaf Ali, Ram Manohar Lohia, Achyut Patwardhan and Sucheta Kripalini.

In Assam, such underground activities were carried out by Sankar Chandra Barua, Mahendra Nath Hazarika, Jyotiprasad Agarwala, Lakhiprasad Goswami, Brajanath Sarma and Gahan Chandra Goswami.

By 1943, there were around 32 underground volunteer camps at Bajali alone. Many such camps were organised in Kamrup, Nowgoan, Darrang and Sibsagar.

During the Quit India movement, parallel governments were formed in a few rural areas in Assam. Village panchayats were established at places like Bajali, Hatisung, Dhakuakhana, Raha, Jamuguri and Bahjani. No revenue campaign was also carried out vigorously.

Despite of the active involvement of the leaderless people in the movement, the movement was snuffed out very soon By 1944, even when the Congress leaders were still behind bars, the movement was dominated by the Govt. with enormous force. Many nationalists were disappointed that the Quit India Movement had failed.

8. Give a brief description about the institutions established in Assam under the leadership of Bordoloi Ministry.

Ans. The institutions established in Assam under the leadership of Bordoloi Ministry were:

(i) Assam Agricultural University.

(ii) Gauhati University.

(iii) Assam Medical College.

(i) Assam Agricultural University: The origin of the Assam Agricultural University can be traced back to 1913 when an agricultural research station was established at Karimganj followed by another at Titabar in 1923.

In 1969, the Assam Agricultural University was established embracing both these Colleges and shifting the Veterinary College from Nagaon to the present location at Khanapara, Guwahati.

Assam Agricultural University was the first institution of its kind in the whole of North-East India.

(ii) Gauhati University: The University of Gauhati popularly known as Gauhati University, is the oldest and the first public university of North-East India. It was established on 26 January 1948.

That a university could easily be established in Assam was opened by Sir Michael Sedlar, Chairman of the Calcutta University Commission in 1917. In the same year, the Assam Association made a public demand for a university at its annual session held at Sibsagar. In 1940 the Government appointed S.K. Bhuyan as Special Officer with the task collecting relevant information on the selection of site and related matters. The university was established under the Gauhati University Act 1947 of the government of Assam in 1948.

The first court meeting of the university was held on 26 January 1948, which is considered as the foundation day, of the university. It had 17 affiliated colleges and eight post Graduate Departments on its establishment.

The University which started functioning from the city centre was shifted to the present campus in 1955-56. Now, the university area is known as Gopinath Bordoloi Nagar.

(iii) Assam Medical College: Assam Medical College situated at Dibrugarh is the first medical college in north-eastern India. The history of the college can be traced back to the Berry White School of Medicine which was established at Dibrugarh in 1900 using a donation of Rs. 50,000.00 from Doctor John Berry White, civil surgeon of the East India Company.

With increasing demands for health care and health education, the need for more medical colleges in Assam was keenly felt. The State Government in 1959 headed by Bimala Prasad Chaliha, the then Chief Minister of Assam, Mr Fakaruddin Ali Ahmed, the then Finance Minister, and Mr. Rupnath Brahma, the then Health Minister of Assam decided to have a second medi- cal college in Assam.

Accordingly, an expert committee was set up on 7 November 1959. The committee submitted its report on 26 April 1960. By a State Government order dated 26 June 1960, Dr. S.N Sarma, the then Principal and Superintendent of the Assam Medical College & Hospital, Dibrugarh was entrusted with the responsibility to make all necessary arrangements for starting the preclinical classes at Jalukbari from August, 1960.

9. Give brief description on the role of Assam in Swadeshi Movement.

Ans. Ambikagiri Raychoudhury wrote a revolutionary drama named ‘Bandini Bharat’ The manuscript of this drama was lifted by the police while it was being performed on the stage of Cotton Collegiate High School, on 31 July, 1906.

Ambikagiri established a revolutionary organization Sewa Sangha, with the help of revolutionary activists Khudiram Bose, Barindra Ghose, Ullash Kar Dutta etc. of Calcutta.

A bomb was planted on Guwahati-Shillong road targeting to kill JB Fuller on 7 Sept, 1906. Ambikagiri was interrogated by the police as the prime suspect of the case. As a result he had to stay at Barpeta as prisoner up to 1914. The British Govt. tried to keep aside the Brahmaputra valley people from the influence of Swadeshi movement.

To be successful in this objective, they took up some welfare activities. Some of these are:

(a) to introduce Assamese language and literature in the syllabus of entrance examination of Calcutta (Kolkata) University.

(b) to open bachelor degrees in all departments in Cotton College to revamp the institution as the centre of excellence.

(d) to introduce 20 point settlement of land. These are some indirect benefits from Swadeshi movement. The movement became much more popular in the Surma Valley under the leadership of the Surma Valley Association. National Schools were set up at Sylhet, Habiganj, Srimangal, Lakhai, Baniachang, Karimganj, Silchar, and other places.

10. Give an account on the role of Assam in Non-cooperation movement.

Ans. The Non-cooperation Movement (Asahayog Andolan) was a major event in the Indian struggle for independence. This movement started in 1920 and lasted through 1922, supported all along by the Indian National Congress. Under Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership, the movement aimed to get rid of the British rule through non-violence (ahimsa).

A section of the Association, led by Ganga Gobinda Barua, Tara Prasad Chaliha, Ghanashyam Barua and Chandradhar Barua felt that the Association should retain its separate identity in order to deal with the local issues of Assam.

At the seventeenth session of the Assam Association held at Tezpur in December 1920, the Association after considerable debate took the resolution of joining the non-cooperation movement and to follow the directives of the Congress on the matters regarding the movement

The movement in Assam soon merged with the national stream with the formation of the Assam Provincial Congress Committee in June 1921 Kuladhar Chaliha and Nabin Chandra Bordoloi were elected as President and Secretary of the Assam Provincial Congress Committee respectively.

The Non-cooperation movement in Assam reached its climax with the visit of Gandhi to Assam in August 1921. In all the meetings addressed by Gandhi in major towns were attended by large section of people. Responding to the appeal made by Gandhi people joined boycott movement by organising huge bonfires of British goods.

Under the leadership of Chandranath Sarma, Hemchandra Barua, Omeo Kumar Das, Muhibuddin Ahmed, the youth of Assam participated in the movement by boycotting government educational institutions.

Some of the prominent youth leaders of the movement were Lakhidhar Sarma, Rohinikanta Hatibarua, Bimalakanta Barua, Kanak Chandra Barua, Benudhar Sarma, Tilak Sarma and so on. Following the students many lawyers like Nabin Chandra Bordoloi, Kuladhar Chaliha, Tarunram Phukan, Kamini Kumar Chanda, Bishnuram Medhi left their legal practices and joined the movement. Many government officials and teachers also left their jobs.

With the growing influence of the movement national schools were opened up at Gauhati, Nalbari, Jorhat, Tezpur, Sibsagar, Nowgong, Karimganj and Maulavibazar.

The first national school was established at Gauhati in February 1921, which was named as Tilak Memorial School in the memory of Bal Gangadhar Tilak. This school started functioning from Rohini Kumar Chaudhury’s residence at Bharalumukh. Later it was shifted to Assam Club at Uzan Bazar. The leaders of the movement also undertook a programme of constructive works.

One of the major impacts of the movement in Assam was the fall in opium consumption. As a result of the vigorous anti-opium campaign led by the Congress workers the consumption of the abkari opium fell from 1615 maunds in 1920-21 to 993 maunds in 1922-23. The revenue earned from the selling of opium decreased by 19 lakhs rupees.

Another important constructive work was popularising the use of khadi and increasing the production of khadi.

The movement witnessed unprecedented support from the tea Garden labourers. The large population of tea garden labourers took the opportunity to raise their voice against the colonial exploitation on them. There were records of sporadic strikes and disturbances.

In May 1921, around 8,000 labourers of thirteen tea gardens of the Chargola and Longai valley of Karimganj subdivision came together to protest against their colonial masters under the Congress leadership. Demanding a huge wage increase and accompanied by slogans of ‘Gandhi Maharaj Ki Jai’, the labourers came out of their gardens. Unnerved by such exodus of labourers, the planters started pressurising the district administration to use force to bring them back Hundreds of labourers lost their lives in the turmoil that followed Others were forced back to their gardens.

11. Give an account on the role of Assam in Civil Disobedience Movement.

Ans. Mahatma Gandhi raised Civil Disobedience Movement in 1830.

Its aim was to paralyse the administration by performance of specific illegal acts. On March 12, 1930, Gandhi along with 78 companions which also included Sarojini Naidu started from Sabarmati Ashram to the sea-coast at Dandi (a distance of 240 miles). At Dandi he and his followers broke the salt law by preparing salt illegally. The Movement spread rapidly.

In Assam, leaders like Hem Chandra Baruah, M. Tayebullah, Bishnuram Medhi and Ambikagiri Raychoudhury assembled at Judges’ Field at Guwahati and expressed their solidarity with Gandhi’s Salt Satygraha. Leeladhar Barua, then studying at CT College, Calcutta joined the Dandi March.

However, at this juncture, the Congress leadership in Assam announced that, the province was not ready for a mass movement. Leaders like Tarun Ram Phukan, R.K. Chaudhury and Nabin Chandra Bordoloi were not enthusiastic enough to the Civil Disobedience movement.

On the other hand, committed workers, like Bishnuram Medhi, Hem Chandra Baruah, Mahammad Tayebullah, and Ambikagiri Raychoudhury were actively engaged in organisational work under severe financial constraints.

Under such circumstances, the Congress in Assam needed to be rejuvenated. The task was accomplished under the new leadership of Bishnuram Medhi, Mahammad Tayebullah, and Ambikagiri Raychoudhury. New com- mittees and sub committees were constituted to look into the various matters of the movement.

The objectives of the newly formed committees were to raise fund, defiance of repressive laws and ordinances, boycott of the British goods, and anti opium and liquor campaign.

Young leaders like Omeo Kumar Das appealed to the students to join the movement, but response from the students was lukewarm. However, to protest against the arrest of Nehru on 14 April and Gandhi in 5 May 1930 students participated in hartal in a large number.

On 6 and 14 May 1930, students in the Brahmaputra valley resorted to the boycott of their institutions to demonstrate their protest. Meanwhile, the situation became more sensitive when R.J. Cunnigham, Director of Public Instruction, issued a circular on May 1930, popularly known as Cunningham Circular asking students and their parents to provide written undertaking guaranteeing that the students would not participate in any kind of political activity. Those found guilty would be punished by imposing fines and depriving of scholarships and also expulsion in case of severe ‘crimes’ The students sharply reacted to such humiliating diktat and it further sparked off the Civil Disobedience movement in the region.

The Assam Chatra Sanmilan organised a special session at Gauhati to discuss its plan of action. They decided to picket government institutions. Around 3,117 out of 15,186 students left their institutions between July and August 1930. Picketing was soon extended to opium and liquor shops. Peasants too got engaged in the movement by demanding reduction of land revenue by 50 per cent. Forest laws were also violated in certain areas. Student unrest took place in Surma Valley as well.

Multiple Choice Questions

Choose the correct answer:

1. The first Anglo-Burmese war took place in-

(a) 1826.

(b) 1825.

(d) 1824.

Ans. (b) 1825.

2. Yandaboo Treaty was signed on-

(a) 26th November, 1826.

(b) 28th November, 1826.

(d) 28th February, 1826.

Ans. (c) 26th February, 1826.

3. Who was the President of the ad hoc Committee of Assam Provincial congress formed in June 1921?

(a) Kuladhar Chaliha.

(b) Gopinath Bordoloi.

(d) Bishnuram Medhi.

Ans. (a) Kuladhar Chaliha.

4. The association Gyan Pradayini Sabha was initiated in the year-

(a) 1869.

(b) 1857.

(d) 1837.

Ans. (b) 1857.

5. The Assamese Literary Society was established in the year-

(a) 1872.

(b) 1883.

(d) 1874.

Ans. (a) 1872.

6. The Asomiya Bhasa Unnati Sadhini Sabha was formed in the year-

(a) 1888.

(b) 1880.

(d) 1881.

Ans. (a) 1888.

Very Short Question and Answer:

1. Under the initiative of the Assam Provincial Congress Committee, when did Gandhi visit the Assam to propagate the message of non-cooperation?

Ans. Mahatma Gandhi visited Assam in August, 1921.

2. Who was the first officially elected President of the Assam Provincial Committee?

Ans. Bishnuram Medhi was the first officially elected President of the Assam Provincial Committee.

3. Who was the first Prime Minister of Assam?

Ans. The first Prime Minister of Assam was Gopinath Bordoloi.

4. How many seats by the Indian National Congress in Assam in the elections held in 1946?

Ans. The Indian National Congress in Assam won 58 seats out of 108 seats in the elections held in 1946.

5. When was the conflict started between India and China?

Ans. In 1962, a major conflict was started between India and China.

6. When was an agricultural research station established at Karimganj?

Ans. An agricultural research station was established at Karimganj in 1913.

7. When was an agricultural research station established at Titabar?

Ans. An agricultural research station was established at Titabar in 1923.

8. Where was the Assam Agricultural College established?

Ans. The Assam Agricultural College was established at Jorhat in 1948.

9. Who was the Health Minister of Assam in 1959?

Ans. Mr. Rupnath Brahma was the Health Minister of Assam in 1959.

10. When was an expert committee set up?

Ans. On 7th November 1959 an expert committee was set up.

11. When was the Gauhati Medical College was formally inaugurated?

Ans. On the 20th September 1960, the Gauhati Medical College was formally inaugurated.

12. Who was Dr. S.N. Sarma?

Ans. Dr. S.N. Sarma was the Principal and Superintendent of the Assam Medical College and Hospital at Dibrugarh.

13. When was the Silchar Medical College established?

Ans. In 1968, the Silchar Medical College was established?

14. Where was the Assam Veterinary College established?

Ans. The Assam Veterinary College was established at Nagaon in 1948?

15. When was the Gauhati University established?

Ans. The Gauhati University was established on 26th January 1948.

16. Who was Michael Sedlar?

Ans. Michael Sedlar was the chairman of the Calcutta University Commission in 1917.

17. What is present name of the Gauhati University area?

Ans. The Gauhati University area is known as Gopinath Bordoloi Nagar.

18. When was the Assam Medical College established?

Ans. The Assam Medical College was established in Dibrugarh.

19. What was the earlier name of the Assam Medical College?

Ans. The earlier name of the Assam Medical College was the Berry-White School of Medicine.

20. When was the Berry-White School of Medicine College was established?

Ans. The Berry white school Medicine was established at Dibrugarh in 1900 using a donation of Rs 50,000.00 from Doctor John Berry White.

21. Who was Doctor John Berry?

Ans. Doctor John Berry was the civil surgeon of the East India Company.

22. Which organisation became successful in establishing the Gauhati University.

Ans. The Assam Association was the organization became successful in establishing the Gauhati University.

23. Name two socio-political organization formed in Assam during independence movement.

Ans. Assam Association and Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha.

24. When did India come under the direct rule of the British crown?

Ans. After the Sepoy Multiny India came under the direct rule of the British Crown on the basis of Queen’s Proclamation on 1858.

25. Which period is known as Company Raj in Assam?

Ans. The period from 1826 to 1858 is known as company Raj in Assam.

26. When was Gyan Pradayini Sabha initiated?

Ans. Gyan Pradayini Sabha was initiated in 1875.

27. Who initiated Gyan Pradayini Sabha?

Ans. Gyan Pradayini Sabha was initiated by Anandaram Dhekiyal Phukan and Gunaviram Barua.

28. When was Assamese Literary Society established?

Ans. The Assamese Literary Society was established in 1872.

29. Who established Assamese Literary Society?

Ans. The Assamese Literary Society was established Devicharan Baruah and Gangagovinda Phukan.

30. What was the first known association formed to improve the Assamese language and literature?

Ans. The first known association formed to improve the Assamese language and literature was the Assam Literary Society.

31. Where was the first known association formed to improve the Assamese language and literature?

Ans. The first known association, the Assamese Literary society was formed in Calcutta.

32. What was the proclaimed objectives of the Assamese Literary Society?

Ans. The Proclaimed objectives of the Society was literary, yet it also played a political role.

33. Name the persons associated with the Assamese Literary Society?

Ans. Jagannath Barua and Manik Chandra Baruah.

34. In which year the Assamese literary Society was active?

Ans. The Society was active till 1885.

35. When was established the Asomiya Bhasa Unnati Sadhini Sabha?

Ans. The Asomiya Bhasa Unnati Sadhini Sabha was established in 1888.

36. Name the association formed to enrich Assamese language and literature in 1888.

Ans. The Asomiya Bhasa Unnati Sadhini Sabha was formed in 1888 to enrich Assamese language and literature.

37. Whose magnum opus magnum opus was Hemkosh.

Ans. Hemkosh is the magnum opus of Hemchandra Baruah.

38. Name the Journal of the Asomiya Bhasa Unniti Sadhini Sabha.

Ans. Jonaki was the jorunal of the A.B.U.S.S.

39. Who was the first editor of Jonaki?

Ans. Chandra Kumar Aggarwala was the first editor of Jonaki.

40. When was the first session of the Assam Chatra Sanmilan held?

Ans. The first session of the Assam Chatra Sanmilan was held on 25th December, 1916.

41. Where was the first session of the Assam Chatra Sanmilan held?

Ans. The first session of the Assam Chatra Sanmilan was held at Guwahati.

42. Who was the president of Assam Chatra Sanmilan?

Ans. Lakshminath Bezbarua was the president of Assam Chatra Sanmilan.

43. What was the Chief objectives of the Assam Chatra Sanmilan?

Ans. The Chief objectives of the Sanmilan was the enrich the mother tongue by contributing towards its development and preservation.

44. Who was the founder secretary of Assam Chatra Sanmilan?

Ans. Chandrakanta Sarma was the founder secretary of Assam Chatra Sanmilan.

45. Where was the All Assam Ryot Sabha established?

Ans. The All Assam Ryot Sabha was established in Tilikiyam on 8th, April 1933 of Jorhat district.

46. Who was the president of the first session All Assam Ryot Sabha in 1933, 8th April?

Ans. Nabinchandra Bordoloi.

47. Who was the president of the second session All Assam Ryot Sabha in 1934 at Dergaon?

Ans. Dr. Harekrishna Das.

48. How many peasants were present in the second session of all Assam Ryot Sabha held at Dergaon?

Ans. In the second session of All Assam Ryot Sabha held at Dergaon around 3000 peasant were president.

49. When was the Ahom Sabha formed?

Ans. The Ahom Sabha was formed in 1893

50. Where was the first session of the Ahom Sabha held?

Ans. The first session of the Ahom Sabha was held at Sibsagar in 1893.

51. In which year, the Ahom Sabha was renamed as the Ahom Association?

Ans. In 1910, the Ahom Sabha was renamed as the Ahom Association.

52. In which year, the Ahom Sabha was became gradually weak?

Ans. In 1950, the Ahom Sabha was became gradually weak.

53. When was Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha found?”

Ans. The Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha was founded in 1884 by Jagannath Barua at Jorhat.

54. Who was the president of Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha?

Ans. Raj Narayan Singha or Majumaliya Raja was the president of Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha.

55. Who was the Secretary of Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha?

Ans. Jagannath Barua was the Secretary of Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha.

56. Who was the Bamfylde Fuller?

Ans. Bamfylde Fuller was the Chief Commissioner of Assam in 1905.

57. When was the Assam Association formed?

Ans. The Assam Association was formed in 1903.

58. Who formed Assam Association?

Ans. The Assam Association was formed by Manik Chandra Baruah.

59. When was the Assam Provincial Congress Committee was formed?

Ans. In the year 1921, the Assam Provincial Congress Committee was formed.

60. When was the Indian National Congress formed?

Ans. In the year 1885 the Indian National Congress formed?

61. In which report the Assam Association demanded introducing of the reforms of 1918 in Assam as well?

Ans. Montagu-Chelmsford Report.

62. When was the Assam Provincial Congress Committee formed?

Ans. The Assam Provincial Congress Committee was formed in June 1921.

63. Who was the first officially elected President of the Assam Provincial Committee?

Ans. Kuladhar Chaliha was the first president of the Assam Provincial Committee.

64. Who was the first Secretary of the Assam Provincial Committee?

Ans. Nabinchandra Bordoloi was the first secretary of the Assam Provincial Committee.

65. Where was the Assam Provincial Congress Committee head- quarters?

Ans. The Assam Provincial Congress Committee headquarter was at Guwahati.

66. When was the Berry White Medical School was formally re-named to become Assam Medical College?

Ans. On 3rd November 1947 the Berry White School was formally re-named to become Assam Medical College.

67. Who was the Chief Minister of Assam in 1959?

Ans. Bimala Prasad Chaliha was the chief Minister of Assam in 1959.

68. Who was the Finance Minister of Assam in 1959?

Ans. Mr. Fakaruddin Ali Ahmed was the Finance Minister of Assam in 1959.

Short Questions and Answers:

1. When and where the second session of the All Assam Ryot Sabha held?

Ans. The second session of the All Assam Ryot Sabha was held at Dergaon, in 1934, around 3000 peasants were present.

2. What was the significant political demand for the Ahom Sabha?

Ans. The significant political demand of the Ahom Sabha was- to get recognition for the Ahoms as a minority community and reservation of seats in the Assembly and a separate electorate for Ahoms

3. Mention the objectives of the Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha.

Ans. The objectives of the Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha were:

(i) To represent the aspiration of the people to the government.

(ii) To explain government policies to the people.

(iii) To ameliorate the condition of the people.

4. Mention the functions of the Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha?

Ans. The functions of the Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha were:

(i) It raised voice against the introduction of the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation Act., 1886.

(ii) In 1892-93, it took up the cause of the Ryots who protested against the enhancement of revenue.

(iii) In 1893, the Sabha submitted a memorandum to the Royal Commission on opium asking for gradual abolition of opium in Assam.

5. Under whom initiative and where a meeting of Assam Association was held in 1921?

Ans. As a result, a discussion to amalgamate the Association with the congress took place at a meeting of the association held at Jorhat on April, 1921 with Chobilal Upadhyay in the chair.

6. Who were the initiative leaders of the Assam Provincial Congress Committee?

Ans. The initiative leaders of the Assam Provincial Congress Committee were- Chobilal Upadhyay, Nabin Chandra Bordoloi, Krishna Kanta Bhattacharya, etc.

7. In which year and where the 41 session of all Indian congress committee was held?

Ans. At Pandu in 1926, the 41 All India Congress Committee session was hosted by the Assam Provincial Congress.

8. Name the members who were host of prominent members took the initiative to implement the plans and programmes of the congress.

Ans. Bishnuram Medhi, Siddhinath Sarma, Maulana Tayebullah, Ambikagiri Raichoudhury and host of prominent members took the initiative to implement the plans and programmes of the congress.

9. Who was the first officially elected President of the Assam Provincial Congress Committee? How many years did he in execution?

Ans. The first officially elected president of the Assam Provincial Congress Committee was Bishnuram Medhi.

He was elected in 1930-1939 for a period of 9 years.

10. From which year the Eastern Bengal and Assam became a Lieutenant Governor?

Ans. The ‘Eastern Bengal and Assam’ became a Lieutenant Governor reigned province right from the implementation of the partition of Bengal on 16th october 1905.

11. Name the leaders of Assam who were against the partition of Bengal.

Ans. The leaders of Assam like- Padmanath Gohain Barua, Ambikagiri Rai Choudhury, Triguna Barua, Raktima Bora were against the partition of Bengal.

12. When did the rule of East India company start in India?

Ans. After the expulsion of the Burmese from Assam, Yandaboo Treaty was signed on 24th February 1826. It resulted in the political annexation of Assam by the East India Company.

13. The introduction of English education had dual impact on Indian Society. Name them.

Ans. The introduction of English education had dual impact on Indian society:

(i) On one hand, it helped the educated indigenous class to critically question their tradition and

(ii) On the other hand, it facilitated the growth of national awareness.

14. Who and when was the Gyan Pradayini Sabha initiated?

Ans. The Gyan Pradayini Sabha was initiated by Anandaram Dhekiyal Phukan and Gunaviram Barua in 1857.

15. Who and when was the Assamese Literary Society established?

Ans. The Assam Literary Society was established in Calcutta in 1872 under the leadership of Devicharan Barua and Gangagovinda Phukan.

16. For what purpose the Asomiya Bhasa Unnati Sadhini Sabha was formed?

Ans. With the growing attacks on the Assamese language in the Bengali press the Assamese students in Calcutta felt the need to organise an association to enrich the Assamese language and literature. Consequently in 1888, the Asomiya Bhasa Unnati Sadhini Sabha was formed.

17. Name the persons associated with the Asomiya Bhasa Unnati Sadhini Sabha.

Ans. The persons associated with the Asomiya Bhasa Unnati Sadhini Sabha were- Hemchandra Goswami, Lakshminath Bezbarua, Kanaklal Barua, Ramakanta Barkakati and Chandra Kumar Agarwala.

18. Name the Branches associated with the Asomiya Bahsa Unnati Sadhini Sabha.

Ans. Several Assamese students who returned to Assam after completion of their studies at Calcutta formed branches in Kohima, Tezpur, Dibrugarh, Sibsagar, Nowgong, Golaghat, Barpeta, Goalpara, Jorhat and Guwahati

19. Name the Trimurti of Jonaki age.

Ans. The Trimurti of Jonaki age were:

(i) Hemchandra Goswami.

(ii) Lakshminath Bezbarua.

(iii) Chandrakumar Agarwala.

20. Name the persons associated with the Assam Chatra Sanmilan?

Ans. The persons associated with the Assam Chatra Sanmilan were- Lakshminath Bezbarua, Padmanath Gohian Baruah, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray and Krishna Kanta Handique.

21. Name two Ryot Sabha which were established to resolve the problems faced by the peasants.

Ans. By the End of the 19th century (a) Tezpur Ryot Sabha in Darrang district and (b) Nagaon Ryot Sabha in Nowgong were established to resolve the problems faced by the peasants.

22. Who played on active role in strengthening and executing the action plants of Tezpur Ryot Sabha?

Ans. Lakshminath Barkakati, Haribilash Agarwala, Lambodar Bora, Bhabani Charan Bhattacharya etc are an active role in strengthening and executing the action plantes of Tezpur Ryot Sabha.

23. Why was the All Assam Ryot Sabha formed?

Ans. To direct all the Ryot Sabhas towards a common goal or objective a central committee, the All Assam Ryot Sabha was formed and its first session was held near Tilikiyam in Jorhat on 8th April 1933 under the presidentship of congress leader Nabinchandra Bordoloi.

24. Who were the President and Secretary of the Assam Provincial Congress Committee?

Ans. Kuladhar Chaliha and Nabin Chandra Bordoloi were the elected as President and Secretary of the Assam Provincial Congress Committee.

25. Name the Prominent youth leaders of the Non-Co-operation Movement in Assam.

Ans. Some of the Prominent Youth leaders of the Non-cooperation movement were- Lakhidhar Sarma, Rohinikanta Hatibarua, Bimalakanta Barua, Kanak Chandra Barua, Benudhar Sarma, Tilak Sarma and so on.

26. When and where the Tilak Memorial School was established?

Ans. The first national school was established at Gauhati in February 1921, which was named as Tilak Memorial School in the memory of Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

27. Mention two important functions of the Non-cooperation Movement?

Ans. The two important functions of the Non-cooperation Movement were:

(i) The full in opium consumption in Assam.

(ii) Popularising the used of khadi and increasing the production of khadi.

28. Write short notes on ‘Dandi march of Gandhi’?

Ans. On March 12, 1930 Gandhi along with 78 companions which also induced Sarojini Naidu started from Sabarmati Ashram to the sea coast at Dandi distance of 240 miles. At Dandi, he and his followers broke the salt law by preparing salt illegally. It is called the famous ‘Dandi march of Gandhi.”

29. Name the leaders of Assam who expressed their solidarity with Gandhi’s Salt Satyagraha.

Ans. The leaders of Assam like- Hem Chandra Baruah, M. Tayeebullah Bishnuram Medhi, Ambikagiri Ray Choudhury expressed their Solidarity with Gandhi’s Salí Satyagraha by assembling at Judge’s Field at Guwahati.

30. What were the objectives of the newly formed committees in the civil Disobedience Movement?

Ans. The objectives of the newly formed committees were:

(i) to raise fund.

(ii) defiance of repressive laws and ordinances.

(iii) boycott of the British goods, and

(iv) anti opium and liquor campaign.

31. Who joined the Gandhi’s Dandi March from Assam?

Ans. Leeladhar Baruah was joined the Gandhi’s Dandi March from Assam.

32. What was the chief objectives of the Assam Chatra Sanmilan?

Ans. The Chief objectives of the Sanmilan was the enrich the mother tongue by contributing towards its development and preservation.

33. What was the proclaimed objectives of the Assamese Literacy Society?

Ans. The proclaimed objectives of the Society was literary, yet it also played a political race.

34. Name the persons associated with the Assamese Literary Society?

Ans. Jagannath Barua and Manik Chandra Baruah.

35. The oldest and the first public university of North-East India is-

Ans. Guwahati University.

36. Name some leaders of Assam who carried some under ground activities during the Quit India Movement.

Ans. Some of the leaders of Assam were Jai Prakash Narayan, Arunt Asat Ali, Achyut Patwardhan, Ram Monohar Lohia, Sucheta Kripalani etc were the some underground activities during the Quit India Movement.

37. Name the members of the Gopinath Bordoloi ministry.

Ans. The name of the Gopinath Bordoloi Ministry were-Basanta Kr. Das, Bishnuram Medhi, J. Nichols Roy, Ramnath Das, Badyanath Mukherjee and Abdul Matib Mazumdar.

38. Name the places during the time of Quit India Movement, which places of Assam was the village Panchayats established?

Ans. Bajali, Hatisung, Dhakuakhana, Raha, Jamuguri and Bahjani.

39. Write the name of the President and the General Secretary of Assam Association who were formally elected in the First Session of the Association.

Ans. In 1905, the first session of the association was held in Dibrugarh. In this session, it formally elected Raja Prabhat Chandra Baruah as its President and Manik Chandra Baruah as General Secretary.

40. Who formed Ahom Sabha? What was its most important activity?

Ans. The Ahom Sabha was formed in 1893 by Padmanath Gohain Baruah.

The first activities of the body was an anti-opium campaign. The chief aim of the Sabha was to demand for privilege for the Ahom in the British administration and revive their traditional religion, language and social customs, thereby re-establishing cultural identity of the Ahoms.

41. Write in brief about the role of ‘Raijmel’ (peoples’ Assembly) towards the peasants’ Revolt in Assam.

Ans. The peasant revolts in Assam in the 19th Century were led by the Raij Mels (peoples’ assembly). These were in no way any kind of Political organizations and yet their importance in Assam was immense.

These Raij Mels did their best to make the peasants and other common people politically conscious. These assemblies grew under the supervision of the leading personalities of the society like the Gaonburha, Doloi, and Gosain etc and worked under their directions. These assemblies were not limited to a single village like panchayat, they comprised by several villages. Everyone, irrespective of caste, creed, community or religion could partici- pate in these assemblies. This in itself gave a unique character to the Raij Mels. There is a proverb in Assamese “Raijei Raja, Gyatiyei Ganga”, which exalts the power and positions of the public and community. The Raij Mels reflected this proverb in the real sense. It was in these public assemblies that people learnt how to take unanimouse public decisions and also, how to democratically demand take government that their decisions are implemented.

42. What was a significant political demand of Ahom Association?

Ans. A significant political demand of Ahom Association was to get recognition for the Ahom as a minority community and reservation of seats in the assembly and a separate electorate for Ahoms.

Essay Type Questions and Answers:

1. Write how the people of Assam took part in the civil disobedience Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi.

Ans. The Civil Disobedience Movement took off with the preparation of salt by Gandhi by boiling the sea-water on 6th April, 1930 at Dandi. It was the second phase of the struggle for freedom under the aegis, of the Indian National Congress.

At the time of breaking the salt law Liladhar Baruah from Assam was among the 78 followers of Gandhi at Dandi. He was then a student of the City College, Calcutta. However, Mahatma Gandhi broke the salt law at Dandi by preparing salt by the boiling the sea-water there.

On the eve of the Civil Disobedience Movement the organizational strength of the Assam Provincial Congress Committee was in its weakest stage. In this situation, this time too the students and youths of Assam come forward to take the lead in organizing the political movement as they had done in the time of the Non-co-operation. The participation of the students and youths in the Civil Disobedience Movement from the beginning was very significant. On 26 January 1930, the participation of the students and youths was massive in all the programmes like the observance of the ‘Swaraj Divas’, the hoisting of the Congress flag and taking the pledge for freedom, as in other parts of the country. In the programme of unfurling the Congress flag at the Jubille Park in Guwahati by Tarun Ram Phukan, President of the APCC, hundreds of students and youths participated along with the Congress leaders like Nabin Chandra Bardaloi and Siddhinath Sarma and others. The role played by the students of the Cotton College was worth mentioning.

In protest against the arrest of Jawaharlal Nehru on 14 April and Gandhi on 5th May (1930) by the government, hundreds of students in Assam took to the streets and held numerous mass meetings. This spread and strengthened the base of the Civil Disobedience Movement in Assam. On 6th and 14th May the students of the entire Brahmaputra valley boycotted their class.

Bishnu Prasad Rabha of Tezpur, then studying at the Victoria College in Koch Behar after returning home led the students in the C. D. Movement in his home town. In Golaghat, following the instructions of Dhiren Dutta, Sankar Baruah and Kanak Das organized and led the students of the locality in the movement.

As in the time of the Non-cooperation, during the Civil Disobedience Movement too Omio Kumar Das and Hem Chandra Baruah led the students in Assam. Deserting the college, many students of the Cotton College plunged into the movement at that time. Hem Chandra Baruah and Omio Kumar Das repeatedly advised Rajani Kanta Goswami, the then secretary of the Assam Students’ Conference to do the needful for making the students participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement.

In this special session of the Assam Students’ Conference an Action Council was formed with Bishnu Ram Medhi as president and Bijoy Chandra Bhagawati as secretary to properly lead the students in the on going Civil Disobedience Movement.

However, the anti-Cunningham Circular movement of the students strengthened the Civil Disobedience Movement and both the movements soon merged into a single movement against the British. The participation of the students soon transformed the Civil Disobedient Movement into an anti-British anti- imperialist mass upsurge across Assam. Hartal, holding of mass meetings, processions and picketing were main programmes of the movement.

As there had been no scope for breaking the salt law in Assam, the main agenda of the movement, as in the time of the Non-co-operation days, was holding picketing before the shops and mehals dealing with opium, wine, bhang and foreign goods.

The anti-opium propaganda and picketing before the opium shops and mehals during the Civil Disobedience Movement reduced the number of opium eaters as well as the sale amount of the opium.

2. Write briefly on how the programmes of the Non-co-operation movement were fulfilled in Assam.

Ans. In the respective of growing internal and external political events, the Non-cooperation Movement grew under the joint leadership of the Khilafat Committee and the Indian National Congress. In Assam too the Non-cooperation movement turned the political situation full of excitement. The students of schools and colleges were the organizers, leaders and participants of this movement in Assam. The formation of the Congress committees and branches, recruitment of membership of the Congress, staging picketing before the shops dealing with wine, bhang, opium and of foreign cloths, organization of meetings, taking out processions- all these works were done by the students.

In all the places of Assam, in the principal towns and cities, hundreds of students came forward to take the main role in the execution of the programmes of the Non-cooperation by working as volunteers in staging picketing before the shops dealing with wine, opium and foreign cloths. Chandranath Sarma, Tarun Ram Phukan, Nabin Chandra Bardaloi, Kuladhar Chaliha and others tried to strengthen the movement by their participation since the beginning. Chandranath Sarma played special role in this regard.

On the other hand, Ghanashyam Baruah, Gangagovinda Phukan, Padmanath GohainBaruah, Raibahadur SibaPrasad Baruah, Raibahadur Devicharan Baruah and Nilmoni Phukan opposed the movement and in some places they even organized a counter- movement.

Other prominent student leaders of the time were, Lakshmidhar Sarma, Rohinikanta Hatibaruah, Bimalakanta Baruah, Kanak Chandra Baruah, Taraprasad Baruah, Maheswar Baruah, Prafulla Chandra Baruah, Umesh Chandra Bardaloi, Mahendranath Phukan, Rudra Sarma, Benudhar Sarma, Daksharam Baruah, Bogiram Saikia, Tilak Sarma, etc. Under the able and competent leadership of these students the programmes of the Non-cooperation Movement in Assam were executed.

Following the students many advocates in several places of Assam also began to participate in the movement by boycotting their profession. Boycutting his legal profession in Guwahati Chandranath Sarma had already begun to lead the movement. Those of them who participated in the movement by boycotting the legal profession were Nabin Chandra Bardaloi, Md. Tayebullah, Tarun Ram Phnkan, Bishnu Ram Medhi, Gopinath Bardaloi, Nidhiram Das in Guwahati, Kumud Ram Bora, Tapeswar Sarma and Loknath Goswami in Mangaldoi, and Kuladhar Chaliha and Krishnanath Sarma in Jorhat.

In some places of Assam the Non-cooperation movement was converted into a movement for nonpayment of revenue to the government. The Bodo tribal peasants and Baska in North Kamrup and Boko of South Kamrup started a movement for non-payment of revenue to the government during this time.

Mahatma Gandhi visited Assam in the month of August 1921 during the Non-cooperation. Arriving in Assam on 18th August, he accompanied by a 11 members group comprising his colleagues and followers like Muhammad Ali, Azad Shobhani, Jamunalal Bajaj, Abdul Hayat toured Guwahati, Tezpur, Nagaon, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Silchar respectively and preached the massage of Non-cooperation and thereafter left for Calcutta on 30th August.

Taking into consideration the strength and wide-spread nature of the movement in Assam the government made all out efforts to crush it. Tarun Ram Phukan, Omio Kumar Das, Kuladhar Chaliha, etc., were arrested and put behind the bars. In the Brahmaputra valley alone altogether 1,100 people were thrown into the jails.

According to a government estimate 477 people were kept behind the bars in the Brahmaputra valley during the period from 24th November 1921 to 31th January 1931. According to Keshab Narayan Dutt more than 4,000 people were kept behind the bars across Assam for their participation in the Non-cooperation movement. Among the jailed people majority were the stu- dents and youths hailing from the rural areas. Those who suffered most by their participation in the movement were the freedom fighters of Jorhat sub- division, of Boko in South Kamrup, of Baska in North Kamrup, of Lukrai and Rainakuchi mauza of the Mangaldoi sub-division of Darrang district.

But before the objectives of the movement were achieved, Mahatma Gandhi suspended the Non-cooperation movement on 12th February in the context of the Chauri-Chaura incident of 5th February 1922 in the United Provinces. This action of Gandhi estranged Chandranath Sarma, the principal

organizer and leader of the movement in Assam. The distressing state of his mind found expression in the letter that he wrote to his friend Durganath Baruah. Chandranath Sarma, then under attack of consumption, was taking rest in Puri and later he breathed his last in Shillong on 20th July 1922.

The number of students in schools declined nearly by 7% due to the movement in Assam during 1921-22. During the peak time of the movement the number of students boycotting the collages ranged from 9 to 10%, of which one-third later resumed their studies by returning to the colleges. According to government estimate the number of students boycotting the colleges till 16 February 1922 was only 38.

Guwahati took the lead in the establishment of national schools. The first ever-national school in Assam was established in the month of February 1921 within the residential campus of Rohini Kumar Chaudhury in Bharalumukh. Gopinath Bardaloi was the headmaster of the school. It was thereafter shifted to the premises of the Assam Club in Uzan Bazar and was re-christened as ‘Tilak Memorial School’.

3. Write how did the Quit India Movement take place in Assam.

Discuss in brief how the people of Assam took part in the ‘Quit India Movement’ launched in 1942.

Discuss in brief the role played by the people of Assam in the ‘Quit India Movement’.

Ans. Expecting the full support of India to the Second World War, the British Home government sent in Sir Stafford Cripps to India for holding parleys with the Indian political leaders. But he failed to achieve his objectives and after he went back home, the Congress Working Committee passed the ‘Quit India’ resolution on 14th July (1942) and thus paved the way again for the struggle for freedom of the country.

The All India Congress Committee endorsed this resolution of the CWC in its plenary session at Bombay on 8-9 August 1942. The resolution demanded-

(1) the freedom and independence of India along with the withdrawal of the British authority from India,

(2) it did not want to obstruct the war efforts of the Allied Powers, or the defensive measures of Soviet Russia and China,

(3) it appealed to the Indian people to participate in a non-violent and peaceful struggle under the leadership of Gandhi, and,

(4) it appealed to each of the Indian people to participate in the struggle under his or her own leadership.

There was no mention of any concrete plan of action of definite programmes for the freedom struggle.

In Assam too the top ranking Congress leaders like APCC president Md Tayyabullah, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, Bishnu Ram Medhi, Debeswar Sarma, Dr. Harekrishna Das, Liladhar Baruah and others were arrested on 9th Au- gust. The police arrested Gopinath Bardaloi and Siddhinath Sarma at Golokganj while they were returning from the Bombay Congress. Under this situation, the Congress Socialists, the activists of the Revolutionary Communist Party of India and the Congress workers of the grass roots level led the Quit India Movement in Assam. The Congress leaders like Hem Chandra Baruah, Dr. Bhubaneswar Baruah, Rabindranath Nabis and Umesh Chandra Chaudhury and others requested the mass people to lead the struggle either through violent or non-violent means.

Before the commencement of the Quit India Movement the Congress leaders and workers in Assam had organized a Shanti Sena force comprising 20,000 people during 1940-42. This force took special role in organizing and leading the August Revolution in Assam in a forceful manner

The sabotage activities of various kinds like cutting off of the telephone and telegraph lines, destruction to railway tracks and derailment of trains, setting fire to the post-offices, Inspection Bunglow, police station and other government buildings formed the main plank of the movement. The purpose of causing destruction to roads and transport and communication systems was mainly done to obstruct the British war efforts or that of the Allied Powers.

As in the time of the Non-co-operation and Civil Disobedience Movement in the Quit India Movement too the role of the students and youths of Assam was significant. A section of the students and youths had a great involvement in the sabotage activities during the movement

The airstrip at Sapana, near Sarbhog was set on fire by thousands of people under the leadership of Brajanath Sarma on 26th August 1942. The Congress leaders like Dr Bhubaneswar Baruah, Mahendra Mohan Chaudhury, Hareshwar Goswami, Akhsay Kumar Das, Nanda Mohan Mazumder and others did the planning for this sabotage activity before- hand. Because of this sabotage activity the government collected punitive taxes from the people of the locality to the tune of Rs. 1,00,000. Despite this punishment sabotage activity did not cease at all.

Many Congress leaders in Assam went underground so as to continue the movement with redoubled strength and in reality they did contribute much in conducting the movement from their hideouts. Prominent among those Congressmen who went underground were Jyotiprasad Agarwala, Gahan Chandra Goswami, Lakshmiprasad Goswami, Mahendranath Hazarika, Sankar Baruah, Lakshydhar Chaudhury, Rabin Nabis and others. Sadiq Ali, office secretary of the All India Congress Committee, visited Assam during this time under the pseudonym of ‘Anil Babu’ and advised and encouraged the Congress workers to go underground and engage in sabotage activities.

A ‘council of action’ was formed in the Bajali area in the Kamrup district to lead and conduct the movement. The people there organized 32 sanghas (units) for conducting the movement. Prominent among those who spearheaded the movement there were Dr Keshab Chandra Das, Chandraprabha Saikiani, Dr Jinaram Das, Dr. Ananta Mohan Das, Bhabananda Dutta and several others.

The members and activists of the revolutionary Communist Party of India, viz., Upendra Chandra Sarma, Narayan Chandra Das, Mohanlal Mukherji, Nihar Mukherji, Hena Ganguli, Bhupen Mahanta, etc, took the leading part in performing sabotage activities in and around Guwahati like Hajo, Ramdiya, Sualkuchi and Rangia. Under their aegis a plan was devised for the occupation of the Hajo Police Station with the help of 500 women of the locality.

The Panikhaiti train derailment incident was the handiwork of the RCPI youth activists like Kamini Mohan Sarma, Rajani Saloi, Ram Mohan Das, Padma Kalita, Naren Chaudhury and a few others.

In an attempt at crushing the movement the government imposed punitive taxes of the people of several villages in the district of Goalpara While collecting the punitive taxes in the Kakira village, the police resorted to firing and as a result one Nidhanu Rajbongshi died instantly.

The August Revolution in Nowgong took a fierce character under the leadership of Mahendranath Hazarika and Lakshmiprasad Goswami. In protest the killing of Kalai Koch, Hemram Bora, Hemram Patar, Gunabhi Bardaloi and Tilak Deka in police firing 16 September was observed as the ‘Panchbir Divas’. In Bahrampur the Divas was observed on 18th September. The armed forces resorted to firing on the innocent people gathered there for the purpose and as a result Lakshmi Hazarika, Thagiram Sut and Baloram Sut died on the spot. Bhogeswari Phukanani, aged 70 years, injured in the firing, died a few days later on 20th September.

While the movement was going on in full swing, parallel governments were established both at Jamuguri and Sootea in the Darrang district. It was decided to occupy the police stations of Gohpur, Sootea and Dhekiajuli and hoist the Congress flags atop the thana buildings on 20th September. Jyotiprasad Agarwala took this decision in consultation with one Jogesh Misra of the Congress Socialist party and coming from Bihar. With a view to executing this plan a group of death squad (mrityu-bahini) was prepared from amongst the peace-keeping volunteers (shanty sena bahini). The flag hoisting programme at Sootea was completed peacefully with the secret co-operation and help of the policemen there. The policemen and military put up stiff resistance at Gohpur and Dhekiajuli while the freedom fighters reached the respective places for the purpose. However, thousands of people, with Congress flags in hands, went to the respective places in processions for hoisting the Congress tricolour at the thana buildings at Gohpur and Dhekiajuli.

In Gohpur Golok Chandra Pujari and Jonaram Bhuyan led the participants. Kanaklata Baruah, a girl at her teens, fell to police bullet while proceeding towards the thana building.

Several others like Makunda Kakati, Hem Baruah (school students), Khageswar Baruah, Thuleswar Rajkhowa, Bhola Bardoloi got injured in the police firing and among them Makunda Kakati later succumbed to his injuries. Despite stiff resistance the programme of hoisting the flag was executed with success. One Rampati Rajkhowa was successful in hoisting the flag atop the thana building with the help of some other freedom fighters.

Nearly 5,000 freedom fighters hailing from the 5 mauzas of Bargaon, Naharbari, Missamari, Dhekiajuli and Barsola went in procession towards Dhekiajuli police station. Kamala Kanta Das, Phanidhar Das and Bapuram Gogoi led the procession. The policemen, who prepared there to resist them, opened fire while they entered the thana premises and as a result 13 people died instantly viz., Manbar Nath, Kumali Devi, Khahuli Devi, Ratan Kachari, Sarunath Chutia, Dayal Das Panika, Mangal Kurku, Lerala Kachari, and unidentified beggar and a religious recluse. Besides these several people, got wounded at the police firing. Before dying heroically at the police bullet Manbar Nath was successful in hoisting the Congress flag atop the thana building.

In Behali the flag atop the thana building was hoisted by one Tileswari Mahanta. In Tezpur the programme was executed on 21 September. To participate in the programme several thousand people from the surrounding villages came in processions. But the district administration with the help of the police and military resisted their entry into the town and dispersed them to distance. While the administration was thus busy in dispersing the crowd, one Jitendra Kumar Bhuyan of Ketekibari hoisted the Congress flag atop the office building of Deputy Commissioner to the surprise of all.

In Upper Assam the movement got momentum under the able leadership of Sankar Baruah. Under his proper guidance and leadership sabotage activities were performed in meticulous precision in several places of the district. To conduct and lead the movement several ‘war councils’ were organized in many places of Golaghat and Jorhat.

On, 10th October 1942 train accident was caused by the derailment of the railways in between Kachujan and Sarupathar. Kushal Konwar was held guilty of the Sarupathar train accident and accordingly he was hanged to death on 15th June 1943 though he was not actually involved in the acci- dent. The persons involved in the Sarupathar train accident were Suren Phukan, Ghanashyam Saikia, Baikuntha Singh and others of Golaghat and Dharmakanta Deka of Nalbari an activist of the Revolutionary Communist Party of India. Tanushyam Goswami and his associates caused the train accident at Lakuwa with the active support of Dr. Ratna Mazumder of the Banamali Tea Estate. Haridas Deka of the RCPI rendered positive help to Tanushyam Goswami to cause the train accident at Safari.

Of all the organizers and leaders of the Quit India movement in Assam the contributions of Mahendranath Hazarika and Lakshmiprasad Goswami of Nowgong and Sankar Baruah of Golaghat are worth mentioning. The government even made public announcement to award prizes to those who could hand over them to the former. The amount of the award money declared on the life of Mahendranath Hazarika and Lakshmiprasad Goswami was respectively Rs. 200/- and Rs.250/-. On the other hand, on the life of Sankar Baruah the amount of award money was Rs. 10,000/-.

At last, the police was successful in apprehending Mahendranath Hazarika along with some of his associates on 15th February 1943. Lakshmiprasad Goswami went to Calcutta and so he remained at large for sometime more. The momentum of the movement in Nowgong gradually started to weaken because of the absence of these two leaders. The government arrested nearly 1500 volunteers of the shanti sena force in Nowgong and of them 1,200 were kept in jails under various terms.

With a view to giving proper guidance to conduct and lead the movement several all India political leaders visited Assam during this period, and the prominent among those were Sadiq Ali of the Indian National Congress, Pannalal Dasgupta of the RCPI and Achyut Pattawardhan of the Congress Socialist Party.

Besides arresting many people for their involvement in the ’42-movement the government also awarded various punishments to many more. Apart from losing their lives in police-military actions, many people were maimed for life. In many places of the province the government let loose a reign of terror. Not to speak of democratic rights people even did not have the human rights. The numbers of people arrested, jailed and punished during the movement were 2,626,371 and 1,279 respectively.

(Thus braving untold of miseries and punishments and tortures at the hands of the police and military, innumerable people participated in the movement to root out British imperialism from the country.)

4. When was the first meeting of Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha held? What was its main objective?

How was ‘Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha’ formed in Assam during India’s freedom struggle? Mention its important activities?

Ans. On 2nd June 1886 a public meeting was held in Jorhat to raise the voice of protest against the proposed implementation of the ‘Assam Land and Revenue Regulation, 1886. Nearly 10,000 people attended the meeting. The meeting was presided over by Rajkumar Naranarayan Singha.

Prominent among those of them who attended meeting were tea planter Raibahadur Jagannath Baruah, Upendranath Baruah, Govinda Bezbaruah, Devicharan Baruah, Rajkumar Hemkanta Gohain, Jadunath Phukan, Brajanath Bezbaruah, Chaturbhuj Agarwala, Munchi Samsuddin, Dharmeswar Baruah, Khirod Prasad Benarjee, Saiyad Abdul Rahman, Bholanath Baruah, etc. In this meeting was born the ‘Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha’. It may be mentioned that the goverment made elaborate preparation for the implementation of the ‘Assam Land and revenue Regulation, 1886’ on and from 1st July 1886.

The Executive Members of the Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha were, President- Rajkumar Narnarayan Singha, Vice-president- Raibahadur Jagannath Baruah, and Secretary-Devicharan Baruah.

The objectives of the Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha were:

(i) the maintenance of relations between the rulers and the ruled,

(ii) to place before the government the wishes and aspirations of the people by keeping contact with the government,

(iii) to try to fulfil the aspirations of the people.

(iv) to explain the policy and purpose of the government among the people and

(v) to try to mitigate the distressing conditions of the people.

The Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha was the representative organization of the people hailing from the the tea planting class, legal professionals like advocates, landholders, and Marwary and Bengali traders and merchants. This organization opposed the prohibition of opium in Assam.

Apart from this, in protest against the enhancement of land revenue in 1893, some two to three protest meetings were held and petitions were sent to the government under the auspices of the Sabha. It is known that the Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha continued till 1921 in a lackadaisical manner It welcomead and felicitated Mahatma Gandhi when he came to Jorhat during his Assam tour on 24th August 1921.

5. How were the Ryot Sabhas formed in different parts of Assam against the British?

Ans. Towards the end of the 19th century, the Tezpur Ryot Sabha and the Nowgong Ryot Sabha were formed in Darrang and Nagaon respectively. The Ryot Sabhas emerged under the middle class leadership in the respective localities. People belonging to the middle class segment of the society like Lakshmikanta Barkakati, Haribilash Agarwala, Lambodar Bora, Bhabani Charan Bhattacharjee, Joydev Sarma, Lakshmikanta Das, Mahendra Dey, Thakurdas Sarma, etc., played leading role in the formation of the Tezpur Ryot Sabha and in the implementation of its programmes. Nothing more is known about the Nowgong Ryot Sabha.

The British land and revenue policy also harmed the interest of the middle class. They became alarmed at the introduction of the decennial Settlement Rules (1883) and the cadastral survey in 1883. The Ryot Sabhas were organized to raise the voice of protest against these measures of the government.

The main purpose and objective of the Ryot Sabhas were to register its opposition to the enhancement of land revenue by the government. Several mass meetings of the peasantry were held under the aegis of the Ryot Sabhas in 1886-87. Hundreds and thousands of the peasantry from the villages attended these meetings under the leadership of middle class people.

The second phase of the Ryot Sabhas emerged during the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930-34 under the patronage of the Assam Provincial Congress Committee. This time the programmes of the Ryot Sabhas were two-pronged-economic and political. Immediately in the wake of launching the Civil Disobedience Movement the Congress leadership in Assam became successful in organizing the peasantry under the banner of the Ryot Sabhas. Of course, the Ryot Sabhas of this period emerged only in Sibsagar and Darrang districts. During 1930-39, the Naduar Ryot Sabha and Chaiduar Ryot Sabha in the district of Darrang were very powerful. The renowned Congress leader Harekrishna Das presided over the Biswanath session of the Naduar Ryot Sabha held on 18th April 1939. The first session of the Chaiduar Ryot Sabha held at Gomiri was, however, presided over by the satradhikar (religious pontiff) of the Garmur Satra.

Several Ryot Sabhas also emerged in the district of Sibsagar during this period and the most important of them were the Sapekhati Ryot Sabha and the Jorhat Zila Ryot Sabha. The organizational set up of the Congress led Ryot Sabhas were three tier the Provincial Ryot Sabha, the District Ryot Sabha and the Mauza Ryot Sabha. From the point of view of power and policy decision the Assam Ryot Sabha was the supreme organization among all the Ryot Sabhas. The Assam Ryot Sabha was organized with a view giving leadership to all the Ryot Sabhas of the Brahmaputra valley. On the basis of 11-point charter of demands put forward by Gandhi on the eve of the Civil Disobedience Movement, the Assam Ryot Sabha demanded 50% reduction in the rate of the prevailing land revenue in Assam. During the C.D. Movement this was the principal demand of the Ryot Sabha.

The first session of the Assam Ryot Sabha was held at Tilikiam near Jorhat in 1933 under the presidentship of Nabin Chandra Bardaloi. The organizational shape to the Assam Ryot Sabha was given in this session, and Krishnanath Sarma and Mohan Chandra Mahanta were elected General Secretary and Assistant Secretary respectively. The second session of the Assam Ryot Sabha was held at Dergaon in the next year with the presence of 3,000 ryots/peasants. It was presided over by Dr. Harekrishna Das.

During 1934-39 there were altogether 300 Ryot Sabhas in Assam. With the formation of Congress Ministry in Assam under the leadership of Gopinath Bardaloi in 1939, the local Congress Committees absorbed the ryot sabhas. At the same time with the formation of the Congress Ministry the ryot sabhas also did not have much to do since 1939 and they almost ceased to function. The ryot sabhas specially imparted political lessons to the peasant masses on anti-imperialism and thus prepared them fit for participating in the ensuing struggles for freedom.

Notes of Class 10 Social Science in English Medium | English Medium Class 10 Social Notes In this post we have tried to explain to you that English Medium Class 10 Social Science Question Answer | SEBA Class 10 Social Science Question Answer In English Chapter 4 If you are a English Medium Teacher or Student then it can be beneficial for you.

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Class 10 Social Science Chapter 4 Indian Freedom Movement and National Awakening in Assam

Chapter 4 Indian Freedom Movement and National Awakening in Assam

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