SEBA Class 9 History: The Moamoria Rebellion
Very Short Answer Questions
1. What is Mayamara?
Answer: Mayamara was the name of a Vaishnava Sattra belonging to the Kaal Songhoti. It was established to spread and preach the Neo-Vaishnavite religion.
2. What is Sattra?
Answer: Sattra is a religious and cultural organisation that grew up to spread and preach the Neo-Vaishnavite religion preached by Sankardev and Madhabdev.
3. What is Songhoti?
Answer: Songhoti was a division of the Sattriya Movement. After the Mahaprayana of Sankardeva, disagreements and infighting among his disciples resulted in four Songhotis: Brahma, Purush, Kaal and Nika.
4. During the reign of which Ahom King did the Moamoriya Rebellion begin?
Answer: The Moamoriya Rebellion began during the reign of Swargadeo Laksmi Singha.
5. During the reign of which Ahom King did the Moamoriya Rebellion conclude?
Answer: The Moamoriya Rebellion concluded during the reign of Swargadeo Kamaleswar Singha.
6. Which Ahom King is said to have adopted the title of Swargadeo/Swarganarayan?
Answer: The Ahom King who is said to have adopted the title of Swargadeo/Swarganarayan was Suhungmung.
7. During the reign of Surampha Bhagaraja which Sattradhikar was murdered?
Answer: During the reign of Surampha Bhagaraja, the Sattradhikar of Mayamara Sattra, Guru Nityanandadeva, was murdered on royal orders.
8. Which Satradhikar was humiliated in the royal court of Rudra Singha?
Answer: During the reign of Rudra Singha, Chaturbhujdev Mahanta was humiliated in the royal court.
9. Who was the chief deity of the Ahoms?
Answer: The chief deity of the Ahoms was Somdev.
10.Which Satradhikar did Jaydhwaj Singha accept as his religious preceptor?
Answer: Jaydhwaj Singha accepted Satradhikar Niranjandev of Auniati Sattra as his religious preceptor.
11.Which Satradhikar did Rudra Singha accept as his religious preceptor?
Answer:Rudra Singha accepted Keshabadev, the Satradhikar of Auniati Sattra, as his religious preceptor.
12.Who was Krishnaram Bhattacharya?
Answer: Krishnaram Bhattacharya was a Shakta Brahman Pandit whom Swargadeo Rudra Singha had invited from Nadiya in Bengal.
13.During which Ahom King's reign did Shaktism become very strong?
Answer: Shaktism became very strong during the reign of Swargadeo Siva Singha.
14.Who was Gagini?
Answer: Gagini was the son of Moamoriya Mahanta Ashtabhuj.
15.Whom did the Moamoriyas first establish as King?
Answer: The Moamoriyas first established Ramakanta (Ramananda), the son of Nahor Khora Saikia, as King.
16.How long did Captain Welsh stay in Assam?
Answer: Captain Welsh stayed in Assam from November 1792 to May 1794.
17.Where was salt produced in Assam?
Answer: Salt was produced in Sadiya and Nagapahar in Assam.
18.Why were the common people of Assam unable to use salt?
Answer: The common people of Assam were unable to use salt because it was a very expensive commodity.
Short/Long Questions
1. Who were the Moamoriyas? Can this rebellion be called a mass uprising?
Answer: The Moamoriyas were mainly the people belonging to the Moran tribe who were disciples of the Mayamara Sattra. The rebellion can be called a mass uprising because many common people, including simple peasants and other professionals, took part in it.
2. Analyse the political causes of the Moamoriya Rebellion.
Answer: The political causes of the Moamoriya Rebellion were mainly related to the growing conflict between the Ahom monarchy and the Mayamara Sattra, along with the misuse of power by Ahom rulers and officials.
1. The growing power of the Mayamara Sattra and its Mahantas led to a clash with the Ahom royal power. The Mahanta became so powerful that he began to compare himself with the Ahom Swargadeo.
2. The Ahom rulers increasingly repressed the Vaishnava Sattras. During the reign of Gadadhar Singha, steps were taken to curtail the power and position of the Satradhikars and Sattras.
3. Rudra Singha gave special privileges to the Brahmanical Sattras and accepted Keshabadev of Auniati Sattra as his religious preceptor. This created jealousy and differences between the Brahman and Sudra Sattras.
4. During the reign of Siva Singha, Queen Phuleswari became very powerful and Shaktism flourished. The Sudra Mahantas and their disciples were subjected to repression and humiliation on royal orders.
5. Several incidents of royal repression, including the murder of Guru Nityanandadeva and Baikuntha Mahanta and the humiliation of Chaturbhujdev Mahanta, created anger among the Moamoriyas.
6. The decline of the Ahom monarchy after Rudra Singha allowed powerful officials to misuse their authority. Their selfish activities caused misgovernance and increased discontent among the subjects.
Thus, the long-term political repression, religious interference and growing misuse of power by the Ahom rulers and officials created the conditions for the Moamoriya Rebellion.
3. Do you think the change in the religious policy of the Ahoms was a cause of the Moamoriya Rebellion? Discuss.
Answer: The change in the religious policy of the Ahoms was an important cause of the Moamoriya Rebellion.
The Ahom rulers gradually became attracted towards Hindu religious traditions. Jaydhwaj Singha gave royal patronage to the Bhagavati religion. Later, Rudra Singha gave special privileges to the Brahmanical Sattras and accepted Keshabadev of Auniati Sattra as his religious preceptor. This created jealousy and differences between the Brahman and Sudra Sattras.
During the reign of Siva Singha, Shaktism became strong and the Sudra Mahantas and their disciples were repressed and humiliated. These repeated acts of repression created resentment among the Moamoriyas and contributed to the outbreak of the rebellion.
Thus, the change in religious policy and the repression of the Sudra Sattras were important causes of the Moamoriya Rebellion.
4. How far was the Paik system responsible for the Moamoriya Rebellion? Give your own opinion.
Answer: The Paik system was one of the major causes of the Moamoriya Rebellion.
Under the Paik system, every male citizen of the Ahom Kingdom between 15 and 50 years of age had to render service to the state. Initially, four Paiks formed a Got, and each Paik served the state for three months in rotation. Later, during the reign of Rajeshwar Singha, the number of Paiks in a Got was reduced to three. As a result, each Paik had to serve for four months, increasing their burden of labour.
The Paiks were also divided into Kanri Paiks and Chamua Paiks. Chamua Paiks were exempted from menial labour in return for paying land taxes, while the Kanri Paiks had to bear the greater burden of labour. The increase in Chamua Paiks put more pressure on the existing Kanri Paiks and created social inequality.
The Moamoriyas, who were mainly hardworking common people, were unwilling to accept the additional burden of labour. Therefore, the exploitation and inequality created by the Paik system increased their dissatisfaction and became an important cause of the rebellion. In my opinion, the Paik system played a major role in creating the discontent that led to the Moamoriya Rebellion.
5. Discuss the results of the Moamoriya Rebellion.
Answer: The Moamoriya Rebellion had serious political and socio-economic consequences for Assam.
1. Political results: The long civil war weakened and almost shattered the Ahom monarchy and the Ahom Kingdom. The Ahom administrative system also declined. The English took advantage of this weakness and began to establish their foothold in Assam.
2. Socio-economic results: The prolonged fighting caused widespread killing, torture, destruction and migration. Paddy fields were destroyed, which led to famines. Many Moamoriya artisans were killed or disabled, causing a decline in the production of weapons and weakening the army.
3. Creation of the Matak Kingdom: Purnananda Burhagohain concluded a treaty with Moamoriya leader Sarbananda. As a result, the Matak Kingdom was created in the area between the Brahmaputra and Dihing rivers, with Sarbananda as its tributary ruler.
Thus, the rebellion weakened the Ahom Kingdom, damaged the socio-economic condition of Assam, led to the creation of the Matak Kingdom and helped the British gradually establish their domination in Assam.
6. Do you think the Moamoriya Rebellion was successful or unsuccessful? Give logic for your answer.
Answer: The Moamoriya Rebellion was successful to some extent, but it was not completely successful.
The Moamoriyas achieved important victories in the early stages. Towards the end of 1769, they defeated the Ahom army, captured the capital and placed Ramakanta on the throne. Later, in 1788, they again captured the capital and established Bharat Singha as King.
However, the Moamoriyas could not permanently overthrow the Ahom monarchy. Their atrocities made them unpopular among the common people, and within a short time they began fighting among themselves for power. The Ahom forces under the leadership of Purnananda Burhagohain gradually suppressed their revolts.
Finally, Purnananda concluded a treaty with Moamoriya leader Sarbananda. As a result, the Matak Kingdom was created between the Brahmaputra and Dihing rivers, and Sarbananda agreed to pay yearly tribute to the Ahom King. After this, the Moamoriyas did not revolt against the Ahoms.
Thus, the rebellion was successful in challenging and seriously weakening the Ahom monarchy, but it failed to completely end Ahom rule. It also caused serious political and socio-economic damage to Assam.
7. Under what circumstances did Captain Welsh come to Assam? Why did he leave his expedition incomplete and go back?
Answer: Captain Welsh came to Assam when the Ahom Kingdom was in a state of political disorder due to the Moamoriya Rebellion and other revolts. The Ahom administrative system had almost collapsed, and Swargadeo Gaurinath Singha sought military help from the East India Company to suppress the rebellion and restore his rule. The Company agreed to send an expedition under Captain Thomas Welsh, which entered Assam in November 1792.
Captain Welsh came to Assam when the Ahom Kingdom was in a state of political disorder due to the Moamoriya Rebellion and other revolts. The Ahom administrative system had almost collapsed, and Swargadeo Gaurinath Singha sought military help from the East India Company to suppress the rebellion and restore his rule. The Company agreed to send an expedition under Captain Thomas Welsh, which entered Assam in November 1792.
However, Lord Cornwallis was succeeded by Sir John Shore, who adopted a policy of non-intervention. He ordered Welsh to return immediately. Therefore, despite repeated requests from Gaurinath Singha and other Ahom officials, Welsh left the expedition incomplete and returned. He reached Goalpara on 3 July 1794.
8. Describe the role played by Captain Welsh in suppressing the Moamoriya Rebellion. How far was he successful?
Answer: Captain Thomas Welsh played an important role in suppressing the Moamoriya Rebellion.
When Swargadeo Gaurinath Singha requested British military help, the East India Company sent an expedition under Captain Welsh in November 1792. Welsh suppressed several revolts and defeated the burkandazes. He then proceeded towards Rangpur to fight the Moamoriyas.
With additional English forces, the joint English and Assamese army defeated the Moamoriyas and forced them to flee Rangpur. Raja Bharat Singha was badly injured, and Gaurinath Singha re-entered the capital on 21 March 1794.
However, Welsh could not completely suppress the rebellion. Sir John Shore adopted a policy of non-intervention and ordered him to return. Welsh therefore left the expedition incomplete and returned to Goalpara on 3 July 1794. Soon after his departure, the Moamoriyas captured Rangpur again.
Thus, Welsh was successful in defeating the Moamoriyas temporarily and restoring the Ahom King, but he was not completely successful because he had to leave before the rebellion was finally settled.
9. Discuss Captain Welsh's Account of Assam.
Answer: Captain Welsh's Account of Assam was a valuable description of the political and economic condition of Assam in the 18th century.
Welsh described the selection and powers of the Ahom King, the five principal ministers and their struggle for power. He also discussed the Paik system and identified the dictatorship of Kirtichandra Borbarua, the denial of the throne to Mohanmala Gohain, the murder of the Moamoriya Mahanta and the competition among high officials as causes of the political deadlock.
He also described the trade and economy of Assam. He mentioned the natural resources, the large-scale trade with Bengal, the scarcity and high price of salt, and important products such as grain, mustard, sugarcane, ginger, indigo, areca nut, betel leaves, iron, lac and gold.
Welsh further described Gauhati and Rangpur, including their fortifications, agricultural lands and economic conditions. He noted that salt and gold were used as the medium of exchange and that the common people suffered from a scarcity of money.
Thus, his Account provides important information about the political, administrative, economic and social conditions of 18th-century Assam.
Short Notes
1. Kirtichandra Barua
Answer: Kirtichandra Barua was a powerful Ahom official whose actions helped to ignite the Moamoriya Rebellion. He was a disciple of the Dihing Sattra, which was in conflict with the Mayamara Sattra. He insulted the Mayamara Mahanta and later humiliated Nahor Khora Saikia and Ragha Moran. He flogged Ragha and had Nahor Khora’s ear cut off. These incidents angered the Moamoriyas and led their Guru to give a call for revolt against the Ahom monarchy.
2. Mayamara Sattra
Answer: Mayamara Sattra was a Vaishnava Sattra belonging to the Kaal Songhoti. Its Satradhikars belonged to the Sudra caste, and it became popular among tribes and communities such as the Morans, Kacharis, Chutiyas, Ahoms and Kaibarttas. The increasing power of the Sattra and its Mahantas led to a clash with the Ahom royal power and contributed to the Moamoriya Rebellion.
3. Purnananda Burhagohain
Answer: Purnananda Burhagohain was an important Ahom official who played a major role in protecting the Ahom Kingdom during the Moamoriya Rebellion. He trained villagers in warfare and successfully resisted the Moamoriya rebels. Later, he made a treaty with Moamoriya leader Sarbananda and created the Matak Kingdom, which helped bring an end to the rebellion.
4. Kanri Paik and Chamua Paik
Answer: Kanri Paik and Chamua Paik were the two classes of Paiks under the Ahom Paik system. Kanri Paiks formed the majority and had to perform menial labour. Chamua Paiks were fewer in number and held a higher status; they were exempted from menial labour in return for payment of land taxes. The increase in Chamua Paiks put greater pressure on the Kanri Paiks and created social inequality.
5. Trade treaty between Welsh and Gaurinath Singha
Answer: The Trade Treaty between Captain Welsh and Gaurinath Singha was concluded on 8 February 1793. According to the treaty, a 10% tax was imposed on imports and exports between Assam and English-dominated regions, while grain and rice were exempted from tax. Two custom offices were established at Gauhati and Kandahar, and no other European traders could trade in Assam without permission.
6. Bor Raja Phuleswari
Answer: Bor Raja Phuleswari was the queen during the reign of Swargadeo Siva Singha. She became very powerful during this period, and Shaktism got the opportunity to flourish. The Sudra Mahantas and their disciples were repressed on royal orders. Some disciples were tortured and forced to wear tilak made from the blood of sacrificed animals. Such acts of repression contributed to the outbreak of the Moamoriya Rebellion.
7. Parbatiya Gosain
Answer: Parbatiya Gosain was the name by which Krishnaram Bhattacharya and his successors came to be known. Swargadeo Rudra Singha invited Krishnaram Bhattacharya, a Shakta Brahman Pandit, from Nadiya in Bengal. Later, his son Siva Singha became his disciple and established him on the Nilachal Hill. From then on, Krishnaram Bhattacharya and his successors were known as ‘Parbatiya Gosain’.
8. Sarbananda
Answer: Sarbananda was a Moamoriya leader who led the rebellion in Bengmara with the help of the Singphos. He came into contact with the Burmese through the Singphos. Later, Purnananda Burhagohain concluded a treaty with him, and the area between the Brahmaputra and Dihing rivers was formed into the Matak Kingdom under Sarbananda. He agreed to pay yearly tribute to the Ahom King.
9. Bharat Singha
Answer: Bharat Singha was a Moamoriya leader who was established as King when the Moamoriyas captured the Ahom capital in 1788. Later, during the joint attack of the English and Assamese soldiers, he was badly injured and escaped alive. After Captain Welsh left Assam, the Moamoriyas captured Rangpur again.
10.Rangpur city
Answer: Rangpur was the capital of the Ahom Kingdom. Its boundary was about 20 miles and it was protected by brick walls, though the walls were in a dilapidated condition. The areas around Rangpur had fertile agricultural land, most of which belonged to the King or high officials. During the Moamoriya Rebellion, the Moamoriyas captured Rangpur, and it became an important centre of the conflict.