A History of Assam c22.9

c22.9

The Abors, though speaking the same language, differ Abors. greatly from the Miris in character. They are the most ruthless savages on the whole of the northern frontier, and the former sparseness of population of the north bank of the Brahmaputra, from opposite Dibrugarh to Sadiya, was due chiefly to dread of their raids. Their designation in Assamese means "independent," as contrasted with bori, meaning "subject." They seem to have remained on friendly terms with out officers until 1848, when Captain Vetch led a small force into the hills to rescue some kidnapped Kachāri gold washers, and burnt a village as a punishment for a night attack on his camp. Several other raids followed, but the first serious outrage did not occur until 1858, when they destroyed a gold washers' village only six miles distant from Dibrugarh town. A punitive expedition which was sent against them was compelled to retreat, and a second one met with very scant success. The Abors, thus emboldened, took up a position threatening the plains. A third, and stronger, force entered the hills in 1859, and ejected them, and burnt a number of their villages. One section of the Abors then submitted, but another section was again on the war path in the following year. This led to the construction of a road along the frontier and the establishment of a line of outposts. The offenders, on seeing these preparations, submitted. During the next few years agreements were concluded with the different Abor communities, by which they were given an allowance of iron hoes, salt, rum, opium and tobacco so long as they remained on their good behaviour. There were no further outrages until 1889, when four Miris were decoyed across the frontier and murdered. For this a fine of twenty bison was imposed, and the frontier was blockaded pending payment, which was made in less than a year. In 1893 the Abors of all sections became hostile and attacked several parties of police. An expedition occupied the principal Bor Abor villages, after overcoming a good deal of resistance, and was followed by a blockade which lasted until 1900, when a general submission was made. The last disturbance was in 1911 when Mr. Williamson, Assistant Political Officer of Sadiya, Dr. Gregorson and a considerable party of servants and coolies were treacherously murdered by Abors at Pāngi, north of Pāsighāt. After the successful conclusion of the expedition which was sent to exact reparation for this outrage, a new system of administration on the frontier was introduced. This will be described in the next Chapter.