Tai Khamti Mutiny of 1839

Context: Recently, the Arunachal Pradesh Deputy CM urged the Centre to recognize the Tai Khamti-British war as India's first for independence.
History of Tai Khamti/ Tai Khamti Mutiny of 1839

• The Khamti migrated to Assam in the second half of the 18th century.
• They belong to the Shans (Tai) race, with their original home to the west of China.
• Their first settlement was on the Tengapani river south of Sadiya with the sanction of the ruling Ahom authorities.
• Their chief, Khamti Gohain soon arrogated to himself the title and office in 1794.

The Khamti were so sturdy and powerful that the Ahoms and the British acknowledged the Khamti Gohain.

• The Khamtis rebelled in 1839 against the British as the Sadiya-khowa Gohain was deprived of his office:
• Tai Khamtis resisted colonization by the British, by suppressing the British garrison at Sadiya.
• Col. Adam White and 80 other soldiers were killed in the resultant conflict.

Other wars fought between the people of Arunachal Pradesh and British are:

• Anglo-Abor wars from 1858 to 1911: The Abors or Adis, inhabit central Arunachal Pradesh.
• Wancho-British war in Tirap district’s Ninu in 1875: Wanchos live in the southern part of Arunachal Pradesh.

Tai Khamti People

• The word ‘Khampti’ means ‘a land full of gold’.
• The Tai Khamti people live in areas straddling Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
• They inhabit the district of Namsai.

Religion

• ???????They are followers of Theravada Buddhism.
• The community, as a matter of fact, is greatly orthodox and all its socio-cultural activities are religious.

Language

• ???????The Tai-Khamti have their own script for their language, known as 'Lik Tai', which originated from the Shan (Tai) script of Myanmar.
• Their mother tongue is known as Khamti language.
• It is a Tai language, closely related to Thai and Lao.

Occupation

• ???????The Tai Khampti people are settled agriculturists.
• They use the plough (Thai) drawn by a single animal, either an ox or a buffalo.
• They practice both jhum and settled agriculture and produce food grains, vegetables and cash crops.

Culture

• ???????The Khampti have a very rich culture, equipped with magnificent arts and craft.
• Armoury is a part of the life, representing the aura of their skill as warriors.
• Their weapons include poisoned bamboo spikes (panjis), bow and arrows, spear, sword and shields.
• The Khampti also have firearms, resembling ancient flint muskets and horse pistols.

Performing Arts

• It marks the celebration of Buddhist festivals such as Khamsang, Sangken, Potwah, Poi Lu kyong, Poi Lu Kyong kammathan etc.
• Sangken is the main festival of the Khamti.
• In Arunachal Pradesh, Khampti dance is also known as ka pung
• The Khamptis are famous for their cockfight dance called Ka-Fi fai.