Introduction of Sambhudhan Phonglo
Sambhudhan Phonglo was a great freedom fighter of the Dimasas. His name was to be written in the letters of Gold in the annal of the Indian Freedom Movement. But, sadly, there is a meager mention of him on the page of the freedom movement of India. Very few people might know him. He was a veer and a pure Indian by blood. A perfect veer for the Indian Freedom Movement sends from the heavenly abode.
Now he remains as a reflection for the young Indians as a symbol of strength, patriotism, and indomitable blazing spirit. He is one of the greatest freedom fighters from Assam. He fought against tyranny, trivial policies of divide and rule, and above all to free the nation from British rule. He is now remembered as a great nationalist, patriot, defender, and spiritual aspirant of the local people of India. His love for the Indian nation, his sheer determination to overthrow the British rule of India, and his promise to bring Independence to his motherland will always be remembered in the heart and soul of the local people.
A glimpse of his birth and birthplace
In this part of India, where the glorious rainbow seemed to stretch across the entire sky, where the heavenly sunrise warmed the early morning, where the mountain range seemed to reach into the clouds, where the sparkling morning dew lit up the grassy plains like a colony of fireflies and the verdant hills shone like emeralds against the clear blue sky born an unsung hero and freedom fighter.
In a particular place called Maibang (now under Assam State in Dima Hasao District) which was then under the Kachari Kingdom born a freedom fighter of whom very little is noticed. His name was Sambhudhan Phonglo (the original version). He was a pure aspect of blessing from the heavenly abode. He was a freedom fighter. He was martyred by the colonizers.
He was a pure Indian by blood who tried to free his country from the Colonizers. Today he is known by different names among different communities like Sambhudhan Phonglo, Swmdwn Kachari, and Sambhudhan Kochari or Kachari. Among those varying names, Sambhudhan Phonglo is the most prominent name.
His Eary Life and Childhood Days
He was born on 16 March 1850 at a place called Longkhor in Maibang which is now under Assam. Born in one of the remotest Indian villages in Maibang which was then under the Kachari Kingdom. Maibang is a Synonym for large production of rice. His father (Deprondao Phonglo) died while he was a young boy. His mother couldn't afford his study so he couldn't go to school. His mother taught him. But it was not like the present curriculum. She taught him by herself. She taught him to point a line with her finger with love and rebukes him with affection.
It is known from the local community, his mother, Khasaidi Phonglo (also known as Telepa) brought up her son in a very amazing way. She fed her son by pleading from door to door for a handful of rice. She even avoids her in the interest of her son. She loves her son so much. When Sambhudhan Phonglo was still a young boy his mother began to comprehend that her son would have to bear great responsibility for the nation in the future. It was a true perception.
Years pass by Sambhudhan grew up. Physically he was strong and was not related to any one of his friends. Indeed he was strange and unique, unlike his friends. He was reportedly tall, complexion, with black eyes and large ears. From his childhood days, he loves to play stick fights and wrestling. Being born to a poor family, he was forced to be a shepherd to earn assistance. His mother recognized the veer strength of her son when he assassinated a tiger while he was herding.
Factors of the Revolt.
The British annexed southern Cachar in 1832 and Northern Cachar in 1854. But due to their 'divide and rule policy, they didn't combine the two territories. Instead, they annexed it to the district of Nagaon. The territory was then placed under the supervision of a Junior Political Officer with headquarter at Asalu.
In 1866, the territory was distributed between the district of Nagaon and Naga Hills. Applying their dirty 'Divide and Rule' Policy in this matter, they adjoined the entire part of the Diyung and Kopili valley within Nagaon District. While a large portion of the territory was adjoined with the newly created district of Naga Hills. The rest of the small portion of the territory was given to the actual community.
Besides this, the British started to collect taxes, seize many valuable things without paying a single penny, oppressing its people, and maltreating the people. Local people were forced to labor for the benefit of the British. Their land was annexed by them. There was no peace in the land. While silk cloths woven by the local women were seized by the British. Those people who raise a voice of concern were beaten and thrown to jail. Young people were beaten and forced to work in tea gardens. Education, health, and religious problem grew in the region. Sambhudhan Phonglo knowing this inhuman oppression of the British promise to bring independence to the kingdom and to restore his country from the hand of the British Empire.
The following reasons were responsible for the revolt of Sambhudhan Phonglo:
1. To restore the Cachar (Kachari Kingdom) from the British Empire.
2. To bring back original cultures, beliefs, and social customs in the region.
3. To stop tax collections and opposition to seizing things from the local people.
4. To rejoin North and South Cachar kingdom into one Kingdom.
His First Detection of the British Rules
Sambhudhan Phonglo wasn't aware of the British rule in India until one day when he asks his mother. A tax collector often came to their village and receive taxes. In case one cannot pay tax, they even confiscate things from the house. He learned from his mother about the British rule in their territory. From the people of his community, he learns the notorious rule of the British administration. He was disappointed with the foreign regime. He vows to free his land and that was the advent of his freedom movement.
His love for the common culture, for the community, and his people force him to fight against the British regime. The way how the Britishers exploit and treat the common people is beyond the limit of his tolerance. His indomitable and unconquerable spirit was of extra level. He was born to fight against the Colonizers. He pledges to uproot the notorious regime and promise that one day the sun will sparkle above his land where there will be no place for the darkness to hide.
His Strategies for the Freedom Movement
Sambhudhan Phonglo begins his freedom movement by instigating a sense of hatred and anger towards the Britishers among the youth of his community. He organized them into groups and prepare themselves with stick fights, wrestling, and battles with spear and blade. He convinces his community that they won't pay the taxes to foreigners and will wage a war against them.
Sambhudhan toured extensively in the North Cachar Hills for organising the rebellion. He succeeded in inspiring the villagers to raise their voices against the British. He was able to recruit a large number of youths to form a revolutionary force. He appointed Man Singh as the Principal Adviser and Molongthong a Subordinate Commander.
Revolt of Sambhudhan Phonglo between 1881-1882
The rebels begin attacking the buildings constructed by the British. They began to set fires on them. Major Boyd who was then the Deputy Commissioner of North Kachar Hills was sent to Maibang from the new District's headquarters at Gunjung. He was accompanied by about 25 policemen and a European officer.
The rebels then move to Gunjung where they killed two servants and a policeman besides settings fire to all the government houses. The rebels then quickly match toward Maibang. There they made a sudden attack on the government party. There was a fierce fight between the two camps. Several rebels died while Major Boyd was killed by the rebels.
His revolt didn't end here. He fought till his last breath. The British knew his strategy was far superior to what they could ever imagine. Therefore they declared that anyone who could capture Sambhudhan Phonglo for them would be rewarded a sum of rupees 1000. It was in the evening when Sambhudhan was having a light refreshment. The owner of the house had already contacted the British. Large troops of Soldiers were sent for him. They surrounded the house. Finally, Sambhudhan was able to run away through the window. They chased him through the forest. Finally, he got injured in his leg after he was thrown by a Nepali Sword. They outrun him with horses and capture him. Sambhudhan tried to fight even then. But since their numbers outrun him he was captured. There was nobody to help him. He was alone by that time as the rebels were all scattered.
He was badly injured. He was finally admitted to Hospital. They made a plan to hang him after his recovery. But sadly Sambhudhan Phonglo died in the hospital. His mother went for his dead body. But sadly they even denied his body.
Result of the Revolt of Sambhudhan Phonglo
The revolt of Sambhudhan Phonglo didn't make huge changes. But it was needed to arouse a sense of nationality in the mind of the local people. The inhuman death of Sambhudhan Phonglo creates a sense of anger and hatred among the local people towards the Britishers.
On the other hand, the death of police personal and major Boyd and the destruction of many buildings constructed by the British had at least a bad impact on them. The British restored the cultivation of silkworms without any embargo. Besides the attack on religious belief was reduced. The original sense of culture and the need for guarding originality was recovered in the land of Cachar.
Moreover, it had a huge impact on the future freedom movement of India. The local people got motivated and inspired by his death. They have obtained the courage and power to stand against the British. It was an eye-opener for the local community. Sambhudhan Phonglo had successfully set a bad image of the British regime. It was due to the revolt of Sambhudhan Phonglo local people could feel the oppression, the inhuman deeds of the regime towards them, and the way how they rule the local community.
Consequences of the Revolt of Sambhudhan Phonglo on Freedom Movement of India.
Although the revolt of Sambhudhan Phonglo was limited to a particular community, yet it was an important part of the freedom movement of India. The later freedom movement in the state of Assam was all inspired at least by the revolt of Sambhudhan Phonglo. It had a huge impact on the socio-political and cultural background of the region and the local community.
The production of silk clothes by the local people shows that they were not dependent on the Britishers. This same trend follows till today. The Britishers tried to stop the production of silk cloth in Cachar. But due to the revolt of Sambhudhan Phonglo, they were able to recover it. Hence it was the idea of 'Made in India' that was later (similar form) used by Mahatma Gandhi and the Swadeshi movement. The production of silk cloth by the local people was already a form of boycott of British Goods.
There goes a proverb that says, "Million drops of water makes a huge ocean". The same goes for the revolt of Sambhudhan Phonglo. Although his movement seems to be like a drop compared to the freedom movement of India yet it adds up. It also had a huge impact on the freedom movement of India. His revolt prepares the new ground for the future movement. The most important thing is the mindset of the people was negative towards the British Regime.
Impacts on the Nationalism of India
His idea of instigating a sense of hatred and anger towards the British empire and his ability to gather youths to fight against the tyrant regime of the British empire was an act of nationalism. He made united and spread a sense of brotherhood among the local people. This was the biggest result of his revolt.
The youth of his local community had at least received the sense of Nationalism. He was able to sow the seed of nationalism among the youths and local people of Cachar. The sense of love for the country was sown in the heart and soul of the local people of Cachar.
What can young Indians learn from Sambhudhan Phonglo?
The upcoming youths of India can reflect the life of Sambhudhan Phonglo, the greatest freedom fighter of the entire North East India. He was martyred by the Britisher. This shows his true love for the nation. His love for life and comfort zone couldn't stop him from serving the nation. The idea of, " Let us die for the nation but let not the nation die for us" was a true reflection on the life of Sambhudhan Phonglo. He was killed for the nation.
Sambhudhan Phonglo is now remembered as the symbol of love, strength, and patriotism for the nation. Young aspiring Indians should be like Sambhudhan Phonglo, ever ready to serve our country, always stand together for the benefits and upliftment of our country, truly admire and love our country, never lose the idea of nationalism and oneness, and must make sure that they are ready 'to sacrifice for our country but we won't let our country sacrifice for us'.
Being born to a poor family is not at all a problem. Sambhudhan Phonglo too was born in a poor and one of the remotest villages in the country. Yet despite such disadvantages, he didn't fail in serving the nation. Youths of India should retain nationalism, brotherhood, and the other powerful word 'We the Indian' and not 'I'.
Religious diversity should be a strength for India. Diversity of Cultures and Languages should be an element of strength for the nation. The diversity of races and people living in the country should be a form of unity. Every Indian Should be optimistic like the Phonglo. Like him, the youth of India should be the backbone of preserving the cultural heritage, faith, and originality of the nation.