A History of Assam c21.11

c21.11

We have seen how the Khāmtis, in 1794, overthrew the Ahom viceroy of Sadiya, known as the Sadiya Khowā Gohāin, and gave his name and jurisdiction to a chief of their own race. They were suppressed in Kamalesvar's reign, but rose to power again during the subsequent commotions. Their chief was now recognized by the British Government as the lawful ruler. He was not required to pay any tribute, but he agreed to maintain a force of two hundred men, who were provided by the Government with arms and ammunition, and were drilled for four months in the year by a native officer of the Assam Light Infantry, of which force from two to four companies were stationed at Sadiya, as a protection against the restless tribes inhabiting the surrounding hills. The internal management of the Khāmtis vested in their own chief, who also dealt with petty cases amongst the local Assamese and collected from them a poll-tax of one rupee a head. This they remitted to the Political Officer, who tried serious offences committed by the Assamese.