A History of Assam c21.28

c21.28

It remained to settle what portion should be retained and what restored, and to whom restoration should be made. David Scott was at first in favour of establishing a native Government in Central Assam, but this proposal was not viewed with favour by the higher authorities, who did not, in this case, see how to deal with the territory lying to the east of the proposed State. At the time of his death, Scott had matured an alternative project for reinstating Purandar Singh in the country east of the Dhansiri river. This plan was recommended to Government by his successor Mr. T. C. Robertson, who subsequently became Deputy Governor of Bengal; and, early in 1833, the whole of Upper Assam, except Sadiya and Matak, was formally made over to that prince. In his report to Government Mr. Robertson wrote as follows regarding Purandar Singh’s qualifications:—"I have had several interviews with Purandar Singh at Gauhāti, and see no reason, from his outward appearance and manners, to doubt of his fitness for the dignity, for which all unite in preferring him to his only rival Chandrakānt. Purandar Singh is a young man, apparently about 25 years of age. His countenance is pleasing and his manners extremely good. His natural abilities seem respectable and his disposition mild and pacific. . . . Major White and Lieutenants Mathie and Rutherford are all decidedly of opinion that Purandar Singh is the person best fitted to be at the head of the State which it has been decided to create."*