SEBA Class 9 History: Burmese Invasions of Assam
Short Answer Questions
1. Which country was won by the Burmese in 1784 during the regime of the Burmese king Bodawpaya?
Answer: The country won by the Burmese in 1784 during the reign of King Bodawpaya was Arakan.
2. From when did the enmity between the Burmese and the British begin?
Answer: The enmity between the Burmese and the British began over the issue of Arakanese refugees.
3. Name the king of Cachar who fled to Srihatta, unable to tolerate the Burmese oppression?
Answer: The king of Cachar who fled to Srihatta was Govind Chandra.
4. Purnananda Buragohain died after hearing the news of the defeat in which battle?
Answer: Purnananda Buragohain died after hearing the news of the defeat in the Battle of Ghiladhari.
5. What is ‘Baishali Hukong’?
Answer: ‘Baishali Hukong’ was a note written by one of the two scribes accompanying the Burmese army to Assam about their military operations.
6. What is ‘Baishali Mung-dun-Sun Kham’?
Answer: ‘Baishali Mung-dun-Sun Kham’ was another note written by one of the two scribes accompanying the Burmese army to Assam about their military operations.
7. Who was the Prime Minister of Assam when the Burmese army came with Badanchandra?
Answer: The Prime Minister of Assam when the Burmese army came with Badanchandra was Purnananda Buragohain.
8. What was the strength of the Burmese army which came to Assam with Badanchandra?
Answer: The Burmese army which came to Assam with Badanchandra consisted of about 8,000 soldiers sent by Bodawpaya, along with another 8,000 soldiers from some tributary kings of Burma. Thus, its total strength was about 16,000 soldiers.
9. How many additional soldiers did Badanchandra collect on his arrival in Assam?
Answer: Bodawpaya dispatched an army of 8000 men to accompany Badanchandra. An additional 8000 soilders from a few Burmese tributary kings joined the troop.
10.What was the title given by Chandrakanta Singha to Badanchandra on his appointment as the Prime Minister?
Answer: The title given to Badanchandra on his appointment as the Prime Minister was “Mantri Barphukan.”
11.Mention the years in which the Burmese invasions took place?
Answer: The Burmese invasions of Assam took place in 1817, 1819 and 1821.
12.When was Badanchandra killed or assassinated?
Answer: Badanchandra Barphukan was assassinated in 1818 A.D.
Choose the Correct Answer
1. In 1816 / 1817 / 1819 the Burmese interfered in the internal politics of Assam.
Answer: 1817
2. Jagannath Dhekial Phukan / Badanchandra Barphukan / Chandrakanta Buragohain was the brother of Ruchinath Buragohain.
Answer: Jagannath Dhekial Phukan.
3. The murder of Badanchandra took place in August 1816 / 1817 / 1818.
Answer: 1818.
4. Numali Rajmao was the mother of Chandrakanta Singha / Purnananda Buragohain / Brajanath Gohain.
Answer: Chandrakanta Singha.
5. The Yandaboo Treaty was concluded on 24th February 1818 / 1826 / 1828.
Answer: 1826.
Long Answer Questions
1. Write in brief about the expansion of the Burmese empire in Manipur and Arakan.
Answer: The Burmese expansion towards Manipur and Arakan was part of their policy of westward expansion. Since the days of King Alaungpaya, the Burmese rulers had made efforts to extend their frontiers towards the west. The occupation of Arakan in 1784 A.D. was followed by repeated attacks on Manipur. The Burmese gradually extended their territories as far as Manipur and Cachar. The expansion of the Burmese towards the west brought them closer to Assam and the English.
2. Discuss how the despotism of Purnananda Buragohain gave birth to political conspiracies.
Answer: Purnananda Buragohain was a powerful and influential Prime Minister of the Ahom kingdom. However, his autocratic and stern style of administration created dissatisfaction among many people and officials. His long tenure and strict measures made a section of the officials unhappy, while the economic condition of the people also deteriorated.
During the reign of Kamaleswar Singha, several individuals and officials organised a rebellion against Purnananda. It was led by Panimua and was therefore known as the Panimua rebellion. The revolt was suppressed with a strong hand. Later, when Chandrakanta Singha grew up, he also began to dislike Purnananda. His friend Satram became arrogant and planned to remove the Buragohain and assume all power. The conspiracy was detected, and most of the conspirators were hanged. Thus, Purnananda's autocratic rule and strict measures gave rise to political conspiracies against him.
3. What was the ultimate result of the political conspiracies hatched against Purnananda Buragohain?
Answer: Purnananda Buragohain’s autocratic rule created dissatisfaction among many people and officials. During the reign of Kamaleswar Singha, a rebellion was organised against him under the leadership of Panimua. This revolt, known as the Panimua rebellion, was suppressed.
Later, Chandrakanta Singha also began to dislike Purnananda. His friend Satram planned to get rid of the Buragohain and assume all power. The conspiracy was detected and the conspirators were punished.
The conflict between Purnananda and Badanchandra Barphukan also became serious. Badanchandra first sought British help, but the British refused. He then sought the help of the Burmese king Bodawpaya, who sent an army to Assam in 1817. The Burmese defeated the Ahom army at Ghiladhari. On hearing the news of the defeat, Purnananda Buragohain died.
Thus, the political conspiracies ultimately resulted in Purnananda’s death and paved the way for Burmese interference in Assam.
4. Why did the Burmese invade Assam under the leadership of Badanchandra Phukan? Give reasons.
Answer: The Burmese invasion under the leadership of Badanchandra Phukan was caused by internal political conflict in Assam and the Burmese policy of westward expansion.
Purnananda Buragohain’s strict and autocratic rule created dissatisfaction among Badanchandra and other officials. Badanchandra fled to Bengal and sought British help against Purnananda, but the British refused to interfere in Assam’s internal affairs. He then approached the Burmese king Bodawpaya for military assistance.
The Burmese king had already expanded his territories towards Manipur and Cachar and wanted to use Assam as a military base against the English. Badanchandra’s request therefore gave him an opportunity to interfere in Assam. Rangili Aidew, the Assamese queen of the Burmese king and Badanchandra’s aunt, also requested the king to help him.
Thus, Badanchandra’s appeal for help and the Burmese policy of westward expansion were the main reasons for the Burmese invasion of Assam.
5. Discuss in brief about the Burmese interference in Assam under the leadership of Badanchandra Barphukan.
Answer: Purnananda Buragohain’s conflict with Badanchandra Barphukan led to Burmese interference in Assam. Badanchandra, who had become dissatisfied with Purnananda, fled to Bengal and first sought British military help, but the British refused to interfere in Assam’s internal affairs. He then went to Burma and appealed to King Bodawpaya for assistance.
Bodawpaya sent about 8,000 soldiers to Assam, along with another 8,000 soldiers from some tributary kings of Burma. Badanchandra led this combined force into Assam through Patkai. They defeated the Ahom army at Ghiladhari and again at Kathalbari. Purnananda Buragohain died after hearing of the defeat at Ghiladhari.
The Burmese occupied Jorhat and Badanchandra became powerful, while Chandrakanta Singha remained the nominal king. The Burmese stayed in Assam for about a month and then returned to Burma. Thus, the Burmese interference under Badanchandra weakened the Ahom kingdom and opened the way for further Burmese intervention in Assam.
6. Discuss the causes of the Burmese invasion of Assam.
Answer: The Burmese invasion of Assam was caused by several political and external factors. The main causes were:
1. Purnananda Buragohain’s autocratic rule: Purnananda had become very powerful and followed strict measures. This created dissatisfaction among Badanchandra Barphukan and some other officials.
2. Conflict between Purnananda and Badanchandra: Badanchandra was removed from his position and later fled to Bengal. He appealed to the British for military help against Purnananda, but the British refused to interfere in Assam’s internal affairs.
3. Badanchandra sought Burmese help: After the British refusal, Badanchandra went to Burma and appealed to King Bodawpaya for assistance against Purnananda.
4. Burmese policy of westward expansion: The Burmese rulers had been expanding their empire towards the west. They had occupied Arakan and repeatedly attacked Manipur, extending their territories as far as Manipur and Cachar.
5. Rivalry with the English: The Burmese wanted to use Assam as a main military base against the English. The refugee problem between Burma and the British had also created tension between the two powers.
Thus, Badanchandra’s request for military assistance, internal political conflicts in Assam, and the Burmese policy of westward expansion were the major causes of the Burmese invasion of Assam.
7. What were the results of the Burmese invasion of Assam?
Answer: The Burmese invasion had serious political, economic and social effects on Assam.
1. The invasion weakened the Ahom monarchy and paved the way for the downfall of the six-hundred-year-old Ahom rule.
2. The Ahom kings became nominal rulers, and Chandrakanta Singha and Purandhar Singha had to take refuge in British territories.
3. The economy was ruined as production declined, trade suffered and cultivation was badly affected.
4. Many people fled their homes due to fear and oppression, causing villages to be abandoned and the population to decline.
5. The Burmese occupation led to the First Anglo-Burmese War, and after the Treaty of Yandaboo, the Burmese withdrew and the British established control over Assam.
8. Which rebellion is known as the ‘Panimua rebellion’?
Answer: The Panimua rebellion was an important political conspiracy against Purnananda Buragohain during the reign of Kamaleswar Singha. Purnananda had become very powerful and his autocratic functioning was disliked by many people and officials. As a result, a number of individuals and officials organised a rebellion against him. The rebellion was led by a person named Panimua and was therefore known as the ‘Panimua rebellion’. However, Purnananda dealt with the revolt firmly and it was eventually suppressed.
9. Mention two results of the military intervention of the Burmese in Assam in 1817.
Answer: The two main results of the military intervention of the Burmese in Assam in 1817 were:
1. The Ahom army was defeated: The Burmese army defeated the Ahom forces at the battles of Ghiladhari and Kathalbari. As a result, the Burmese occupied Jorhat, the capital of the Ahom kingdom.
2. Badanchandra became powerful: After the Burmese occupied Jorhat, Badanchandra became all-powerful. He was made the Prime Minister with the new title ‘Mantri Barphukan’, while Chandrakanta Singha was retained as the nominal king.
10.When did the First Anglo-Burmese War take place? Where was this war fought?
Answer: The First Anglo-Burmese War was fought from 1824 to 1826 A.D. The war became inevitable because the Burmese, after occupying Assam, began raiding British territories and expanding towards neighbouring areas.
The war was fought in four main regions:
1. Brahmaputra Valley or the Ahom Kingdom (Assam)
2. Cachar
3. Manipur
4. Burma
The Burmese were eventually defeated by the English. The war came to an end with the signing of the Treaty of Yandaboo on 24th February 1826.
11.Mention the main provisions of the Yandaboo Treaty.
Answer: The Treaty of Yandaboo was signed on 24th February 1826 and brought the First Anglo-Burmese War to an end. Its main provisions were:
1. The Burmese king had to pay Rupees One Crore as war indemnity to the English Company.
2. The British would take over Arakan and Tenasserim.
3. The Burmese would not interfere in Assam, Cachar and the Jayantia country.
4. The Burmese recognised Gambhir Singh as the king of Manipur.
5. A British Resident would be stationed at Ava, while the British allowed the king of Ava to station an officer at Calcutta.
Thus, the treaty greatly favoured the English and ended Burmese interference in Assam.
12.Write about the importance of the Treaty of Yandaboo.
Answer: The Treaty of Yandaboo was signed on 24th February 1826 and brought the First Anglo-Burmese War to an end. It was an important treaty because it changed the political condition of Assam and the North-East.
1. End of Burmese rule: The treaty forced the Burmese to withdraw from Assam and put an end to the ‘Maanar Din’.
2. British control over Assam: The Burmese renounced all claims over Assam and agreed not to interfere in Assam, Cachar and Jayantia country. This enabled the English East India Company to assume control over Assam.
3. Beginning of British expansion: The treaty marked the beginning of the expansion of the British Empire in the region.
4. Change in Assam’s history: The treaty changed the course of Assam’s history. The East India Company became the sole ruler of Assam after the Burmese left.
Thus, the Treaty of Yandaboo was politically decisive for Assam and the entire North-East and opened a new chapter in the history of the region.
Short Notes
1. Bodawpaya
Answer: Bodawpaya was the king of Burma who followed a policy of westward expansion. During his reign, the Burmese occupied Arakan in 1784 A.D. and repeatedly attacked Manipur. He also extended Burmese territories as far as Manipur and Cachar. When Badanchandra sought his help against Purnananda Buragohain, Bodawpaya sent an army to Assam in 1817.
2. Gambhir Singh
Answer: Gambhir Singh was the king of Manipur during the period of the First Anglo-Burmese War. The Burmese had occupied Manipur, but they were eventually defeated by the English. Under the Treaty of Yandaboo, the Burmese recognised Gambhir Singh as the king of Manipur. The treaty also provided that the Burmese would not interfere in Manipur. Thus, Gambhir Singh became an important figure in the political changes in Manipur following the First Anglo-Burmese War.
3. Gobind Chandra
Answer: Gobind Chandra was the king of Cachar during the period of Burmese expansion. Unable to withstand the attack of the Manipuri king Gambhir Singh, he took refuge with the English. The English became concerned that if Cachar came under Burmese control, it would pose a threat to Srihatta, which was under British domination. Thus, Gobind Chandra’s situation became one of the factors leading to English intervention against the Burmese.
4. Daman Gogoi
Answer: Daman Gogoi was an Ahom officer during the Burmese invasion of Assam in 1817. Purnananda Buragohain sent an Ahom army under the leadership of Daman Gogoi and Hau Bora to stop the advancing Burmese forces. The two armies met at Ghiladhari, where the Burmese army under Badanchandra was victorious. The defeat of the Ahom army deeply saddened Purnananda Buragohain, and he died after hearing the news of the defeat.
5. Hau Bora
Answer: Hau Bora was an Ahom officer who played a role in resisting the Burmese invasion of Assam in 1817. Purnananda Buragohain sent an army under Daman Gogoi and Hau Bora to stop the advancing Burmese forces. The Ahom army fought the Burmese at Ghiladhari but was defeated. The defeat deeply saddened Purnananda Buragohain, who died after hearing the news.
6. Battle of Ghiladhari
Answer: The Battle of Ghiladhari was an important battle during the first Burmese invasion of Assam in 1817. Purnananda Buragohain sent an Ahom army under Daman Gogoi and Hau Bora to stop the advancing Burmese forces led by Badanchandra. The two armies fought at Ghiladhari, where the Burmese army emerged victorious. The news of the Ahom defeat deeply saddened Purnananda Buragohain, and he died after hearing it.
7. Brajanath Singha
Answer: Brajanath Singha was a grandson of Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha. During the political conflict after the assassination of Badanchandra, Ruchinath Buragohain, along with Brajanath Singha and his son Purandhar Singha, advanced towards Jorhat with an army. Ruchinath later proclaimed Brajanath as the new Ahom king. However, Brajanath had suffered mutilation and was therefore considered ineligible for the throne. As a result, his son Purandhar Singha was made king.
8. Purandhar Singha
Answer: Purandhar Singha was the son of Brajanath Singha. After Brajanath was considered ineligible for the Ahom throne because he had suffered mutilation, Purandhar Singha was made the king. Later, when the Burmese forces invaded Assam in 1819, Purandhar Singha and Ruchinath Buragohain fled to Gauhati. They then crossed into the English-occupied territories in Bengal and took shelter there. He later appealed to the English for help to recover Assam from the Burmese.
9. Ala Mingi
Answer: Ala Mingi was a Burmese general who was sent to Assam in 1819 by the Burmese king to avenge the assassination of Badanchandra and to restore Chandrakanta Singha to the Ahom throne. He fought against the Ahom forces and pursued them towards Jorhat. The Ahom forces were defeated, and Chandrakanta Singha was once again reinstated on the throne. Ala Mingi later returned to Burma, leaving a body of Burmese troops under Mingimaha Tilwa to assist Chandrakanta.
10.Treaty of Yandaboo
Answer: The Treaty of Yandaboo was signed on 24th February 1826 between the English East India Company and the Burmese king. It brought the First Anglo-Burmese War to an end. Under the treaty, the Burmese king agreed to pay one crore rupees as war indemnity and gave up claims over Assam, Cachar and Jayantia. The British also took over Arakan and Tenasserim, while the Burmese recognised Gambhir Singh as the king of Manipur. The treaty ended the ‘Maanar Din’ in Assam and led to the establishment of British control over Assam.