A History of Assam c21.88

c21.88

Introduction of British rule in the Gāro hills. We have seen that the Gāro hills were treated as part of Goālpāra during the first few years of British rule. At this time the Gāros were a terror to the people of the plains. In 1811 the Magistrate of Mymensingh reported that they were confirmed head hunters and gave a gruesome instance of this practice which had recently come to his notice. The chiefs or zamindars of the marches were expected to restrain their incursions, but it was soon found that their tyranny and exactions were the chief cause of the raids. In order to promote the growth of order and civilization, it was decided to place the whole tract under a special Civil Commissioner. This officer took into his own hand the collection of the rents claimed by the zamindars from the Gāro villages and abolished the duties levied by them on the hill produce. For the latter they were paid compensation, Government recouping itself by means of a special house assessment on the Gāro villages. For many years a policy of non-interference with the hillmen was followed, but without much success. The tributary Gāros were most irregular in paying the promised tribute, and those of the interior committed constant raids, which were followed, either by expeditions or by a blockade of the submontane marts. These measures having proved quite ineffectual, it was decided to appoint an officer to the charge of the hills; and, in 1869, they were formed into a separate district with headquarters at Tura. This step was rewarded with immediate success, so far as the villages within the administered area were concerned, but some of the more remote villages still remained uncontrolled. In 1871 and 1872, the latter gave some trouble by attacking surveyors and raiding on some protected Gāro villages. It was, therefore, decided to bring them also under subjection, and this was done without any difficulty in the cold season of 1872-73. Three detachments of police marched through the country and easily overbore all resistance; responsible headmen were appointed, the heads taken in recent raids were surrendered, and peaceful administration was established throughout the district.