Battle of Patharughat: A saga of peasant uprising in Assam

Jan28,2024

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On January 28, 1894, a significant yet often overlooked event in the history of India's struggle for independence took place at Patharughat, a small town in the Darrang district of Assam.

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Battle of Patharughat

This event, known as the Battle of Patharughat or Patharughatar Ran, was a peasant uprising against the oppressive land tax policies imposed by the British colonial administration.

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Peasant uprising

After the British annexation of Assam in 1826, they began to survey the vast lands and subsequently imposed heavy land taxes, which were increased by 70-80 percent. 

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Land survey

The local peasants, burdened by these exorbitant taxes, which they previously paid in-kind or through service rather than cash, were pushed to the brink of despair. 

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Exorbitant taxes

In response, thousands of peasants from various villages convened at Patharughat to protest the increasing land tax levied by the British.

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Protest

The peaceful gathering turned tragic when British officials, including J.D. Anderson, the Deputy Commissioner of Darrang district, and Barrington, the police superintendent, refused to consider the peasants' demands for tax reduction. 

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British opens fire

Despite the protests, the British authorities remained adamant that the taxes would not be lowered. On the orders of Barrington, the police opened fire on the unarmed peasants, resulting in a massacre.

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British opens fire

Official records from the Raj era state that 15 peasants were killed and 37 wounded in the firing. However, local sources and unofficial accounts claim that the death toll was around 140. 

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Death toll

The Patharughat uprising is considered a precursor to the larger freedom movement in India. The sacrifice of the peasants at Patharughat contributed to the growing resistance against British rule and is remembered for its role in galvanizing the Indian independence movement.

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Remembering the martyrs