Gomadhar Konwar: A forgotten hero of Assam

By D N Singh


Gomadhar Konwar established his kingdom in what is today known as Rajabari. It’s a pity that today we have forgotten this great hero, who was in no way a less contributor to the freedom struggle than Mangal Pande, Jhansi Ki Rani or Bhagat Singh.

Lack of publicity has dampened the glory of a noble hero and an attempt is needed to bring him to the limelight before all the people of the present age. Even long before the first freedom movement of India, as shown in the history of the country, Gomadhar Konwar, an Ahom prince started his fight against the British rule and attempted to build up an independent kingdom at Rajabari, which is now at Nakachari in Jorhat district of Assam. Nakachari, a place of tremendous historical importance was formerly known as Toratoli, where traces of history are still lying scattered in every nook and corner.

It was at Toratoli that Gomadhar Konwar established his kingdom, which is at present known as Rajabari. He initiated the first struggle for freedom from the British rule in 1827 after obtaining the support of the leaders of the various races and tribes of the erstwhile Assam. Even though Gomadhar Konwar could not be victorious against the mighty British, he left foot prints in the passage of time by his inimitable valour and indomitable spirit. He could at least spread the seeds of the feeling of independence in the minds of the people. However, he was exiled in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

It’s a pity that today we have forgotten this great hero, who was in no way a less contributor to the freedom struggle of India than Mangal Pande, Jhansi Ki Rani or Bhagat Singh.
To remember and pay tributes to this valiant hero of Assam, 200th birth anniversary is being celebrated, along with the celebrations of the 180th year of India’s freedom movement with a network of various programme all over Assam. The central ceremony of the function will be held at Nakachari from 18th to 20th March, 2009. This was revealed in a Press meet by Jintu Hazarika, the general secretary of the central celebration committee set up for this purpose, in Guwahati recently.

Hazarika regretted that the people of Assam have forgotten the glorious history of the state. The contributions of Gomadhar Konwar, the first ever freedom fighter of the country are missing from the history of India, where the struggle of 1857 has got a prominent place.
Although the most parts of India were under British rule at the time of Gomadhar Konwar, Assam maintained its identity as an independent kingdom. It came under British rule after the Treaty of Yandabu was signed in the year 1826.

Immediately after the signing of treaty, the British rulers started suppression and oppression of the people of Assam. The socio-economic aspect of the British rulers were resented the people of Assam in general and the upper class in particular. Gomadhar Konwar with other princes and youths from well to do families organised a platform to fight against the British rulers.

Sanjay Barua was among the foremost companions of Gomadhar Konwar, who organised and did secret planning to fight British rile. They planned anti-British and anti-government measures to create disturbances and harass British rulers. They made their first successful venture to trouble the British rulers by putting their arms godown at Rangpur on fire in 1828. Their final battle was fought near Mariani, which was lost by Ahoms and Gomadhar Konwar was caught and exiled in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The celebration committee has planned several schemes to put the name of Gomadhar Konwar in the list of pioneers of freedom movement of India.