Discuss about the cause and nature of Kuki movement.
1860-61 AD: Kuki riots occurred. Ratan Puia was the leader of the Kuki riots.
Background Ishanchandra Manikya was the king of Tripura at the time of the Kuki Rebellion. The Kukis lived on the slopes of the high hills and often attacked the inhabitants of the plains, commonly known as 'Border Raids'. They were notorious as a dangerous raiding party and the epitome of violence and brutality. They did not attack openly. Knowing the news through spies, he would launch a surprise attack.
Chaos in Tripura The last few years of Ishan Chandra Manikya's reign saw terrible chaos in the state of Tripura. The financial condition of the state was deplorable. In this financial crisis it was not possible to maintain proper troops in Tripura. As there was no designated prince, there was intrigue among the royal family over the throne. At that time the actual governance of the state was in the hands of Guru Vipinvihari Goswami. By managing the revenue department efficiently, he largely freed the state from crisis. As a result, his influence over the king increased.
cause of rebellion
(1) Status of Riang subjects During this period the hill subjects were heavily taxed. Not only was there an increase in the house contract tax, but also the duty on bamboo, rubber, sesame and carpus. The people of Riang are the most injured. They did not have financial solvency as they were extravagant. The rate of house tax on him was high.
(2) Exploitation of moneylenders All these subjects resorted to the moneylenders after repeated appeals to the king and were forced to take loans from them. In the meantime, the continuous lack of rains disrupted crop production in the hilly regions and the debt burden continued to increase. As moneylenders struggled to repay their loans, they resorted to cookies.
(3) Collection of slaves When the King's men attacked the Kukis of the Dupthung community to collect slaves during this time, there was a riot among the Kukis of that community.
(4) Satisfying the interests of the royal family Meanwhile, Guru Bipinvihari Goswami's harsh rule led many to resent him and, deprived of their property, began to live with the Kukis in the deep forests. All those people used the protest to collect slaves. They keep citing the Kukis to invade Tripura state to serve their interests.
The rebellion was eventually joined by the Karvara-afflicted subjects in this attack by the Kukis. An estimated 400 to 500 Kukis entered the Khandal Pargana under the leadership of Ratan Puiya. They destroyed fifteen villages belonging to this police station, killed one hundred and eighty-five people and captured one hundred. The Kukis looted gold, silver and iron from the villages. Mystery of the invasion of British territory:- Why Kukis and allied Ryangs did not limit their attacks to Tripura and attacked British territory remains a mystery. Perhaps they wanted to prove the King of Tripura unworthy of the British. Or this attack can happen accidentally.
The rebellion was finally suppressed in January 1861 AD under the leadership of Captain Raban, Ratan attacked the village of Puiyar. Ratan Punia adopted the policy of terracotta rather than fighting a front. They looted a large market near Udaipur and burned and looted three prosperous villages. In their attack 150 people were killed and 200 were captured. Finally the Hill Superintendent Captain Graham was directed to compel the King of Tripura to take effective action against the Kukis.
Raja of Tripura ordered by the British 1861 AD Captain Graham met the Raja at Agartala and arranged a meeting with the Commissioner of Comilla. The measures ordered by the British authorities to the King were – (1) establishment of 5 frontier posts with 20 guards (2) establishment of a camp of 150 guards at Feni, (3) appointment of 6 drill sergeants for guards (4) arrangements for suitable surveys.
Finally in 1862 AD Captain Graham Kuki concluded an agreement with Sardar Ratan Pooiya. According to the treaty, Ratan Pooiya agreed to pay four hundred rupees annually in return for peace in the border region, and through Ratan Pooiya, agreements were made with the Silo and Haulang Kuki chiefs. As a result, the border area is somewhat safer.
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