A History of Assam c22.15

c22.15

This measure struck a severe blow at their prosperity, and the feelings of resentment which it kindled led to a series of risings. The last took place in 1843, and was shared in, not only by all the Singphos on the Assam border and by others from the direction of Burma, but also by a certain number of Shāns and Burmese. It was believed to have been fomented by the Tipām Raja, a scion of the Ahom royal family, whose sister had married the king of Burma, and who had been appointed by that monarch to be Governor of Hukong with, it was said, instructions to take advantage of any opportunity that might arise for invading Assam. No time was lost in marching troops against them. The operations dragged on for months, but they ended in the capture of the chiefs who had instigated the rebellion, and in the complete submission of the Singphos. Since then they have shown no disposition to give trouble. Their pacific attitude in recent times is attributed by some to their now universal habit of eating excessive quantities of opium, which, it is said, has sapped their energy and robbed them of their old warlike proclivities.