Sambhudhan Phonglo
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Sambhudhan Phonglo | |
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| Born | 16 February 1850 Longkhor, Assam, British India |
| Died | 12 February 1883 (aged 32) Cachar district, India |
| Cause of death | Killed by British Regime |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Known for | Armed resistance against the British Raj |
Sambhudhan Phonglo (16 February 1850 – 12 February 1883) was an Indian insurgent who fought against British colonial power in Assam.
The village Dihur Phonglo, which existed on the bank of the river of Mahur (Dihur) was named after Sambhudhan Phonglo. A tank known as Sambhudhan-ni-dikhor, meaning Sambhudhan's tank, also existed on the river.
Early life
Phonglo was born in Longkhor near Maibang in the North Cachar Hills of what is today the Dima Hasao District. He was born reportedly on the Falgoon Purnima of Indian almanac. His father was Deprondao Phonglo and mother Khasaidi. Phonglo had four younger brothers: Umakant, Ramakant, Ramcharan (alias Ramren) and Haisholong.
Phonglo spent his childhood at Longkhor, later moving over to Gonjung. Afterwards, he moved to Saupra, a small village near Nanadisa. As a young man, he moved to Semdikhor, near Mahur, where he married to Nasadi. Phoglo was reportedly tall, of fair complextion, with black eyes and large ears.
Opposition to British
In 1832, the British took control of Southern Cachar, and in 1854 Northern Cachar. Instead of combining the two territories, they annexed them to the district of Nagaon. The territory was then placed under the charge of a Junior Political Officer with headquarters at Asalu. In 1866, the territory was distributed between the districts of Nagaon and Naga Hills. Thus, while parts of the Diyung Valley and the Kopili Valley had been given to the district of Nowgong, a large portion was joined with the newly created district of Naga Hills. The rest formed the territory of the North Cachar Hills comprising exclusively the hilly region.
Phonglo opposed these moved. He felt that the British had no right to rule the people of Assam and that the territorial moves were intended to weaken them. Phonglo took the view that if the native people were going to lose freedom, then shouldn't they help the foreign power in consolidating its position. To lose freedom was to embrace slavery. It would not be worthwhile for them to live under the aliens as slaves, as hardships could be endured, but not slavery.
Insurrection
Phonglo decided to foment a rebellion against the British. He toured extensively in the North Cachar Hills, encouraging mass resistance, making contacts, and organizing followers. He was able to recruit a large number of youths to form a revolutionary force. Phonglo appointed Man Singh as his Principal Adviser and Molongthong a Subordinate Commander .
Phonglo started training his insurgents in Maibang. Villagers voluntarily rendered their services to the training center. Recruits were brough to Maibang in batches of thirty to forty.