Speak Your Roots

Tag: khasihistory

  • A Glimpse of Tirot Sing: “A Memoir of the Late David Scott, Esq.” written by Major Adam White (1831)

    On the occasion of the death anniversary of U Tirot Sing, the 17th of July, here is "A Glimpse of History–U Tirot Sing Syiem" sent by @carey_lynz

    In the book A Memoir of the Late David Scott, Esq., written by Major Adam White (1831, 1st edition), White narrates how David Scott took intense interest in the newly discovered region that is, the North East Frontier. White narrates how he had personally witnessed the "Cassya states" (Khasi States) and the beautiful hills which reminded him of the South of Scotland. At this time, the territory under Hima Nongkhlaw was not under British control. It so happened that Tirot Sing wanted to rent some areas in Assam from the Assamese Raja. David Scott said that he would be happy to oblige, if Tirot Sing would allow the British passage through his territory to go to Sylhet.

    This led Tirot Sing to call for an Assembly in order to discuss Scott's request. The British witnessed a very impressive meeting in Nongkhlaw. The Assembly sat in a circle according to their ranks. What struck the Britishers was the "order and decorum of the debators". There was respect for the opponent in the debate and the orator of each party was given a fair chance to speak. This continued for a long time. Growing impatient, David Scott sent a "dozen of bottles of rum" to the Assembly in the hope that the debate would end but the rum was returned.

    From these events, we come to know how the Khasis were a people who honoured each others' word and respected each others' opinion. Therefore, as we commemorate the life of U Tirot Sing Syiem, may we remember the value and power of our words like our forefathers before us. Lest we forget, let's remind ourselves of who we truly are.

    The above-mentioned events have been summarised from the book written by Major Adam White. The contributor, Dr. Naomi C. Nonglait is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English, St. Mary's College, Shillong.

    Picture 1: Google, Picture 2, 3 and 4 sent by @carey_lynz

  • Netaji’s connection to Shillong

    Netaji had a special association with Shillong and had visited the town thrice in his lifetime. Highly impressed by the democratic functioning of the Khasi states when he came for the first time in September 1938, Netaji had remarked, "Those who want to know about democracy should come to Khasi Hills."

    Thank you @othnielpyngrope for bringing this up in the conversation on the post commemorating the death anniversary of U Tirot Sing. 👍👍🙏🙏

    Source: https://m.timesofindia.com/city/guwahati/shillong-remembers-netaji-subhash-chandra-bose/articleshow/18159440.cms

  • Layers of History: Essays on the Khasi-Jaintias by David R. Syiemlieh

    Layers of History: Essays on the Khasis-Jaiñtias (2015) by David R. Syiemlieh.

    David R. Syiemlieh is a retired Professor of History from North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya. He has also served as the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission of India.

    The seventeen essays in this collection relate to the Khasi-Jaiñtias of Meghalaya in North-East India and cover a time span from their pre-colonial past, through the colonial era and into more contemporary times.

    The book is published by Regency Publications and is available on amazon.in

  • “Mawbynna” by Esther Syiem

    You appear

    to have withstood

    time’s duress

    as you watch

    over a world

    of plastic clutter.

    Your sense of time

    is forbidding,

    but you keep intact

    our self respect.

    You have shut yourself

    in an aura

    that is yours alone.

    Your changelessness

    in flux

    is the only surety

    against the inquisition

    that assails you.

    You are the keeper

    of our past.

    Vertical guardians

    overseeing horizontal quiet –

    wayside offerings,

    arrested in a moment,

    away from passing history.

    Your commodity

    is your soul

    held still, in the

    imbroglio of time,

    as you provide

    shelter and rest

    for wayfarers,

    drawn by your etchings

    in their souls.

    This poem appears in Oral Scriptings: Poems by Esther Syiem (2005) published by Writers Workshop, Kolkata. Dr. Esther Syiem is a Professor in the Department of English, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong.