Revolt of 1857 in Assam – Causes, Course & MCQs
Causes and Course of the Revolt of 1857 in Assam: Maniram Dewan, Kandarpeswar Singha and the Jorhat Conspiracy – MCQs
Introduction
The Revolt of 1857 was a major anti-British uprising that began among Indian soldiers at Meerut and spread to several parts of North and Central India. Although Assam did not witness a large-scale military rebellion comparable to Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow or Jhansi, the events of 1857 had an important political impact in the region.
In Assam, the revolt was associated particularly with Maniram Dewan, Piyali Barua and Prince Kandarpeswar Singha, who sought to exploit the political situation created by the wider uprising and restore the Ahom monarchy in Upper Assam. The proposed uprising involved attempts to establish contact with Indian soldiers and influential persons in eastern Assam.
The background to the Assam response lay partly in the consolidation of British authority after the Treaty of Yandabo (1826), the gradual expansion of Company administration, and the annexation of the territory of Purandar Singha in 1838. These developments generated political resentment among sections of the Assamese elite. The British discovery of the proposed uprising led to arrests, trials and executions.
Government of Assam records identify 7 September 1857 as the date on which Kandarpeswar Singha was arrested and sent to Calcutta, while Maniram Dewan and Piyali Barua were executed at Jorhat on 26 February 1858.
Historical Background
British Expansion and the Ahom Political Question
The Treaty of Yandabo, 1826, ended the First Anglo-Burmese War and brought Assam under British control. British administration gradually replaced earlier political institutions and consolidated authority over Upper Assam.
The British initially restored Purandar Singha as a tributary ruler over part of eastern Assam in 1833. However, his territory was annexed by the East India Company in 1838. This annexation was significant because it further reduced the political position of the Ahom royal establishment.
The loss of the Ahom kingdom became one of the important political grievances underlying later attempts to restore Ahom authority.
Maniram Dewan and the 1857 Opportunity
Maniram Dewan, originally associated with the traditional Assamese elite, became an important intermediary between the indigenous political society and the emerging British-controlled tea economy. He served as Dewan of the Assam Tea Company and subsequently established his own tea garden.
According to the Government of India publication New India Samachar, Maniram became increasingly opposed to British rule and regarded the 1857 uprising as an opportunity to challenge British authority and restore the old Ahom dynasty.
Kandarpeswar Singha
Kandarpeswar Singha, a descendant of the Ahom royal family, became an important figure in the proposed movement. The objective was not simply to imitate the military events occurring elsewhere in India but to use the crisis of 1857 to revive Ahom political authority in Assam.
Piyali Barua and the Proposed Rising
Piyali Barua was one of Maniram Dewan’s principal associates. Historical records indicate that he helped establish contacts with Indian soldiers and other supporters in the eastern Assam region.
The proposed plan was discovered by British authorities before it could develop into a large-scale armed rebellion. An archival historical account records contacts involving Piyali Barua, Maniram and other influential figures, including attempts to communicate with local military personnel.
MCQs with Answers and Concept-Clearing Explanations
MCQ 1. What major event provided the immediate wider political context for the proposed uprising in Assam in 1857?
A. Revolt of 1828
B. Revolt of 1857 in northern and central India
C. Non-Cooperation Movement
D. Quit India Movement
Correct Answer: B. Revolt of 1857 in northern and central India
Explanation:
The uprising in Assam developed within the broader political crisis created by the Revolt of 1857. Although Assam did not experience a comparable mass military rebellion, leaders such as Maniram Dewan saw the widespread uprising against British authority as an opportunity to challenge British rule in Assam and revive Ahom political authority.
MCQ 2. Who is most closely associated with the proposed anti-British uprising in Assam during 1857?
A. Gopinath Bordoloi
B. Maniram Dewan
C. Lachit Borphukan
D. Kushal Konwar
Correct Answer: B. Maniram Dewan
Explanation:
Maniram Dewan was the central figure associated with the 1857 conspiracy in Assam. He sought to coordinate an uprising against British rule and supported the restoration of the Ahom dynasty. His activities eventually resulted in his arrest, trial and execution at Jorhat in February 1858. Government of India publications also identify his role in the 1857 movement in Assam.
MCQ 3. Which Ahom prince was associated with the proposed restoration of Ahom rule during the events of 1857?
A. Kandarpeswar Singha
B. Purandar Singha
C. Chandra Kanta Singha
D. Gomdhar Konwar
Correct Answer: A. Kandarpeswar Singha
Explanation:
Kandarpeswar Singha represented the Ahom royal claim during the 1857 episode in Assam. Maniram Dewan worked toward mobilising support for the restoration of the Ahom dynasty under Kandarpeswar. British authorities eventually arrested him and sent him to Calcutta. The Government of Assam’s Jorhat historical record places his arrest on 7 September 1857.
MCQ 4. Who was the principal associate of Maniram Dewan executed with him in 1858?
A. Piyali Barua
B. Gomdhar Konwar
C. Jeuram Dulia Baruah
D. Peoti Borphukan
Correct Answer: A. Piyali Barua
Explanation:
Piyali Barua was closely associated with Maniram Dewan’s proposed uprising. Historical records describe his role in communicating with supporters and attempting to coordinate the proposed movement. He was arrested by the British and executed along with Maniram Dewan at Jorhat on 26 February 1858.
MCQ 5. In which year was the territory of Purandar Singha annexed by the East India Company?
A. 1826
B. 1833
C. 1838
D. 1857
Correct Answer: C. 1838
Explanation:
Purandar Singha was recognised as a tributary ruler of part of eastern Assam in 1833. His territory was subsequently annexed by the Company in 1838. This development was important because it further consolidated direct British authority in Upper Assam and weakened the remaining Ahom political structure.
MCQ 6. Which treaty brought the First Anglo-Burmese War to an end and paved the way for British control over Assam?
A. Treaty of Allahabad
B. Treaty of Yandabo
C. Treaty of Sugauli
D. Treaty of Salbai
Correct Answer: B. Treaty of Yandabo
Explanation:
The Treaty of Yandabo was signed in 1826 and ended the First Anglo-Burmese War. The Burmese renounced their claims and agreed to cease interference in Assam and adjoining territories. This created the political circumstances for the expansion and consolidation of British authority in Assam. The Assam State Archives identifies 1826 as the beginning of British rule following the end of the First Anglo-Burmese War.
MCQ 7. What was one major political objective of the proposed uprising in Assam in 1857?
A. Establishment of a French colony
B. Restoration of Ahom political authority
C. Creation of a separate tea administration
D. Expansion of Burmese rule
Correct Answer: B. Restoration of Ahom political authority
Explanation:
The proposed Assam uprising had a strong restorationist political dimension. Maniram Dewan and his associates sought to use the instability caused by the 1857 uprising to challenge British rule and restore the Ahom dynasty. This distinguishes the Assam episode from some of the major military centres of the revolt elsewhere in India.
MCQ 8. Which of the following best describes the nature of the 1857 episode in Assam?
A. A large-scale peasant war across the whole province
B. A major naval rebellion
C. A planned political and military conspiracy that was detected by the British
D. A nationwide mass movement centred in Assam
Correct Answer: C. A planned political and military conspiracy that was detected by the British
Explanation:
The Assam episode did not develop into a province-wide mass rebellion. Instead, it involved a planned uprising/conspiracy involving Maniram Dewan, Kandarpeswar Singha, Piyali Barua and others. British authorities detected the preparations before the proposed movement could become a large-scale armed revolt. The surviving historical account describes communications with local military personnel and the British investigation into the conspiracy.
MCQ 9. Which British official was associated with the arrest of Kandarpeswar Singha?
A. Captain C. Holroyd
B. Lord Curzon
C. David Scott
D. Robert Clive
Correct Answer: A. Captain C. Holroyd
Explanation:
The Government of Assam’s Jorhat history records that Kandarpeswar Singha was arrested on 7 September 1857 and sent to Calcutta by Captain C. Holroyd. Holroyd was an important British official in the Sibsagar/Jorhat administrative context during the episode.
MCQ 10. Where were Maniram Dewan and Piyali Barua executed?
A. Guwahati
B. Sivasagar
C. Jorhat
D. Dibrugarh
Correct Answer: C. Jorhat
Explanation:
Maniram Dewan and Piyali Barua were executed at Jorhat on 26 February 1858. Jorhat had considerable political importance in Upper Assam and was closely associated with the Ahom royal tradition. The Government of Assam records their execution on this date.
MCQ 11. On which date were Maniram Dewan and Piyali Barua executed?
A. 10 May 1857
B. 7 September 1857
C. 26 February 1858
D. 15 August 1858
Correct Answer: C. 26 February 1858
Explanation:
The execution took place on 26 February 1858. This date is particularly important for Assam history examinations because it marks the culmination of the British prosecution of the principal figures associated with the 1857 conspiracy in Assam. The Government of Assam’s Jorhat history provides this date.
MCQ 12. Which economic sector was closely connected with Maniram Dewan’s career?
A. Cotton textile industry
B. Tea industry
C. Coal mining
D. Shipbuilding
Correct Answer: B. Tea industry
Explanation:
Maniram Dewan had a significant connection with the development of the Assam tea industry. The Government of Assam records that he became Dewan of the Assam Tea Company and later established his own tea garden at Chinamora. His experience within the colonial tea economy also exposed him to the changing political and economic structure of Assam.
MCQ 13. Maniram Dewan became Dewan of the Assam Tea Company in approximately which period?
A. 1826
B. 1839
C. 1857
D. 1874
Correct Answer: B. 1839
Explanation:
Government of Assam records state that Maniram Sirastadar Baruah was appointed Dewan of the Assam Tea Company in 1839. His later establishment of a private tea garden is an important part of his biography and demonstrates his connection with the early commercial development of tea in Assam.
MCQ 14. Which development preceded the 1857 conspiracy and contributed to political resentment among sections of the Ahom elite?
A. Annexation of Purandar Singha’s territory
B. Partition of Bengal
C. Formation of Assam Province in 1874
D. Simon Commission
Correct Answer: A. Annexation of Purandar Singha’s territory
Explanation:
The British annexed Purandar Singha’s territory in 1838. This ended the limited tributary arrangement established in 1833 and strengthened direct British control in eastern Assam. The political displacement of the Ahom royal establishment formed part of the background to later efforts to restore Ahom authority.
MCQ 15. Which sequence is chronologically correct?
A. Yandabo Treaty → Restoration of Purandar Singha → Annexation of Purandar Singha’s territory → Revolt of 1857
B. Revolt of 1857 → Yandabo Treaty → Annexation of Purandar Singha’s territory → Restoration of Purandar Singha
C. Annexation of Purandar Singha’s territory → Yandabo Treaty → Revolt of 1857 → Restoration of Purandar Singha
D. Restoration of Purandar Singha → Yandabo Treaty → Revolt of 1857 → Annexation
Correct Answer: A. Yandabo Treaty → Restoration of Purandar Singha → Annexation of Purandar Singha’s territory → Revolt of 1857
Explanation:
The correct chronology is:
- 1826 – Treaty of Yandabo
- 1833 – Purandar Singha recognised as tributary ruler
- 1838 – His territory annexed by the Company
- 1857 – Revolt of 1857 and the Assam conspiracy
This sequence is important for understanding the gradual consolidation of British authority and the later political response in Assam.
MCQ 16. Which person attempted to establish contact with supporters and military personnel during the proposed Assam uprising?
A. Piyali Barua
B. Gopinath Bordoloi
C. Tarun Ram Phookan
D. Bishnu Ram Medhi
Correct Answer: A. Piyali Barua
Explanation:
Historical archival material records that Piyali Barua was deputed to Golaghat to communicate with native officers and sepoys as part of the preparations for the proposed rising. This demonstrates that the Assam conspiracy had an intended military dimension and was not limited to political discussion among the elite.
MCQ 17. Why was the Revolt of 1857 in Assam different from the major centres of rebellion in northern India?
A. Assam was completely outside British influence
B. Assam had no political grievances
C. The planned uprising remained largely a conspiracy and was suppressed before developing into a large-scale rebellion
D. Assam became independent in 1857
Correct Answer: C. The planned uprising remained largely a conspiracy and was suppressed before developing into a large-scale rebellion
Explanation:
The Assam episode was relatively limited in scale. There was a serious attempt to organise resistance, but British authorities discovered the plan and arrested key participants. Therefore, Assam did not become one of the major military theatres of the 1857 uprising.
MCQ 18. Which of the following was an important political grievance underlying the Assam episode?
A. Restoration of the Ahom political order
B. Opposition to the Permanent Settlement of Bengal as the only issue
C. Demand for provincial elections
D. Opposition to the Government of India Act, 1935
Correct Answer: A. Restoration of the Ahom political order
Explanation:
The Assam episode had a distinct regional political objective: restoring the Ahom dynasty and challenging British political supremacy. The loss of Ahom sovereignty after British expansion and the annexation of Purandar Singha’s territory formed part of this background.
MCQ 19. Which place became especially important in the history of the 1857 conspiracy in Assam?
A. Jorhat
B. Silchar
C. Barpeta
D. Dhubri
Correct Answer: A. Jorhat
Explanation:
Jorhat was an important centre of Ahom political history and became the principal location associated with the Assam conspiracy. Kandarpeswar Singha was arrested, while Maniram Dewan and Piyali Barua were later executed there. The city’s historical importance therefore extends beyond its administrative role to Assam’s anti-colonial history.
MCQ 20. What was one important reason for Maniram Dewan’s opposition to British authority?
A. Desire to strengthen British control over Assam
B. Political opposition to British consolidation and support for restoration of the Ahom dynasty
C. Support for Burmese expansion
D. Opposition to the use of railways after 1900
Correct Answer: B. Political opposition to British consolidation and support for restoration of the Ahom dynasty
Explanation:
Maniram Dewan’s opposition had a strong political dimension. He regarded the crisis created by the Revolt of 1857 as an opportunity to challenge British authority and support the restoration of the Ahom dynasty. Government of India material specifically connects his activities with the attempt to revive the old Ahom political order.
MCQ 21. Which of the following best explains the importance of the Ahom monarchy in the 1857 Assam episode?
A. It was an entirely new institution created by the British
B. It represented an indigenous political legitimacy that anti-British leaders sought to revive
C. It was abolished only after 1947
D. It was unrelated to Upper Assam politics
Correct Answer: B. It represented an indigenous political legitimacy that anti-British leaders sought to revive
Explanation:
The Ahom monarchy had ruled Assam for centuries before British dominance. By the nineteenth century, the British had progressively replaced its political authority. During the 1857 episode, the Ahom royal tradition provided an important source of indigenous political legitimacy for the proposed resistance. Kandarpeswar Singha was therefore central to the political plan.
MCQ 22. Which British administrative development is directly relevant to understanding the political background of the 1857 Assam conspiracy?
A. Expansion and consolidation of British authority after 1826
B. Creation of the Indian National Congress in 1885
C. Introduction of dyarchy in 1919
D. Partition of India in 1947
Correct Answer: A. Expansion and consolidation of British authority after 1826
Explanation:
British political authority in Assam expanded following the Treaty of Yandabo in 1826. Over the following decades, British administration increasingly replaced earlier political structures. The annexation of Purandar Singha’s territory in 1838 was another important step in this process. These developments form the longer-term background to the 1857 conspiracy.
MCQ 23. Which statement about the Revolt of 1857 in Assam is correct?
A. It resulted in the permanent restoration of the Ahom monarchy
B. It was led exclusively by British officials
C. It involved an unsuccessful attempt to organise an anti-British uprising linked to restoration of Ahom authority
D. It began in Assam before Meerut
Correct Answer: C. It involved an unsuccessful attempt to organise an anti-British uprising linked to restoration of Ahom authority
Explanation:
The proposed uprising in Assam was ultimately unsuccessful. British authorities discovered the preparations and arrested key figures. The episode nevertheless became an important chapter in Assam’s anti-colonial history because it demonstrated organised opposition to British rule and the continuing political significance of the Ahom royal tradition.
MCQ 24. Which source is particularly valuable for researching the administrative background of nineteenth-century Assam?
A. Assam State Archives
B. Modern election manifestos
C. Contemporary social-media posts
D. Modern fictional novels alone
Correct Answer: A. Assam State Archives
Explanation:
The Assam State Archives preserves extensive government records, manuscripts and administrative files. Its holdings include manuscript volumes covering 1823–1874, Assam Commissioner records and other materials relevant to colonial administration. Such archival material is particularly valuable for reconstructing events such as the 1857 conspiracy in Assam.
MCQ 25. Why is the year 1858 important in the history of the Assam response to the Revolt of 1857?
A. Assam became a separate province in 1858
B. Maniram Dewan and Piyali Barua were executed in that year
C. The Assam Accord was signed
D. The Indian National Congress was founded
Correct Answer: B. Maniram Dewan and Piyali Barua were executed in that year
Explanation:
The year 1858 marked the conclusion of the British prosecution of the principal leaders associated with the Assam conspiracy. Maniram Dewan and Piyali Barua were executed at Jorhat on 26 February 1858. Their execution subsequently became an important symbol of anti-colonial resistance in Assam.
MCQ 26. Which statement correctly distinguishes the Assam episode from the wider Revolt of 1857?
A. Assam was one of the largest military centres of the revolt
B. Assam’s response involved a regional political conspiracy rather than a province-wide military rebellion
C. No Assamese leader participated in anti-British activity
D. The revolt completely removed British rule from Assam
Correct Answer: B. Assam’s response involved a regional political conspiracy rather than a province-wide military rebellion
Explanation:
The distinction is important for examination purposes. The Revolt of 1857 was a major subcontinental uprising, but its form varied by region. In Assam, resistance centred on a proposed political and military conspiracy involving Maniram Dewan, Piyali Barua and Kandarpeswar Singha. The plan was detected and suppressed before it developed into a large-scale rebellion.
MCQ 27. Which of the following correctly pairs the personality with the historical role?
A. Maniram Dewan — central figure in the 1857 Assam conspiracy
B. Kandarpeswar Singha — British Governor-General
C. Piyali Barua — founder of the Indian National Congress
D. Purandar Singha — leader of the Quit India Movement
Correct Answer: A. Maniram Dewan — central figure in the 1857 Assam conspiracy
Explanation:
Maniram Dewan is strongly associated with the 1857 anti-British conspiracy in Assam. Kandarpeswar Singha represented the Ahom royal connection, while Piyali Barua was an important associate involved in the preparations. The other pairings are historically incorrect.
MCQ 28. Which event occurred first?
A. Execution of Maniram Dewan
B. Arrest of Kandarpeswar Singha
C. Annexation of Purandar Singha’s territory
D. Revolt of 1857
Correct Answer: C. Annexation of Purandar Singha’s territory
Explanation:
The correct chronology is:
- 1838 – Purandar Singha’s territory annexed
- 1857 – Revolt and Assam conspiracy
- 7 September 1857 – Kandarpeswar Singha arrested
- 26 February 1858 – Maniram Dewan and Piyali Barua executed
Chronological questions are particularly important in Assam history examinations.
MCQ 29. Which of the following is the most appropriate interpretation of Maniram Dewan’s role in 1857?
A. He was merely a passive observer of the revolt
B. He attempted to connect the wider 1857 crisis with an Assam-based effort to challenge British authority
C. He supported the permanent continuation of British rule
D. He led the Revolt of 1857 from Delhi
Correct Answer: B. He attempted to connect the wider 1857 crisis with an Assam-based effort to challenge British authority
Explanation:
Maniram Dewan recognised the wider crisis created by the Revolt of 1857 and attempted to turn it into an opportunity for resistance in Assam. His activities were linked to the proposed restoration of the Ahom political order. Historical records also indicate efforts to establish contact with military personnel and influential supporters.
MCQ 30. Which of the following best represents the historical significance of the 1857 episode in Assam?
A. It completely ended British rule in Assam
B. It demonstrated that opposition to British authority in Assam had political and regional dimensions
C. It had no connection with Assamese political history
D. It resulted immediately in Indian independence
Correct Answer: B. It demonstrated that opposition to British authority in Assam had political and regional dimensions
Explanation:
The Assam episode demonstrates that the Revolt of 1857 cannot be understood only as a uniform military rebellion. In Assam, it intersected with regional political grievances, the loss of Ahom sovereignty, elite resistance and attempts to restore indigenous authority. Although the planned uprising failed, the sacrifices of Maniram Dewan and Piyali Barua became an enduring part of Assam’s freedom-struggle heritage.
Quick Revision: Chronology of the 1857 Episode in Assam
| Year/Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1826 | Treaty of Yandabo; British authority consolidated in Assam |
| 1833 | Purandar Singha recognised as tributary ruler of part of eastern Assam |
| 1838 | Purandar Singha’s territory annexed by the East India Company |
| 1839 | Maniram Dewan appointed Dewan of the Assam Tea Company |
| 1857 | Revolt of 1857 creates an opportunity for anti-British mobilisation in Assam |
| 7 September 1857 | Kandarpeswar Singha arrested and sent to Calcutta |
| 26 February 1858 | Maniram Dewan and Piyali Barua executed at Jorhat |
The Government of Assam’s Jorhat historical record confirms the key 1833, 1838, 1857 and 1858 dates.
Key Personalities to Remember
Maniram Dewan
A major Assamese political figure associated with the proposed 1857 uprising. He had earlier worked with the Assam Tea Company and later established his own tea garden.
Kandarpeswar Singha
A member of the Ahom royal line who became the proposed political figurehead for restoring Ahom authority during the 1857 crisis.
Piyali Barua
An important associate of Maniram Dewan who participated in preparations for the proposed uprising and was executed with him.
Captain C. Holroyd
A British official associated with the investigation and arrest of Kandarpeswar Singha.
Archaeological, Cultural and Heritage Significance
The 1857 episode in Assam is significant not only as a political event but also as part of the state’s historical and cultural heritage.
Jorhat was historically connected with the Ahom capital and royal tradition. Consequently, the events involving Kandarpeswar Singha, Maniram Dewan and Piyali Barua acquired a strong regional heritage dimension.
The preservation of documentary evidence is particularly important. The Assam State Archives holds extensive colonial-era records, including manuscript volumes from 1823–1874, Assam Commissioner records and other administrative materials. These records provide valuable primary evidence for researchers studying nineteenth-century Assam.
The cultural memory of Maniram Dewan has also continued through literature, theatre, public commemorations and other forms of Assamese heritage.
Targeting Exams
Assam State-Level Exams
- APSC Combined Competitive Examination
- Assam Police Recruitment Exams
- ADRE / Assam Grade III & IV
- Assam TET
- Other Assam Government Recruitment Examinations
National-Level Exams
- UPSC Civil Services Examination
- SSC CGL
- SSC CHSL
- Railway Recruitment Examinations
- Other General Studies-based examinations
Teaching Exams
- CTET
- State TET examinations
- B.Ed./teacher recruitment examinations
Other Competitive Exams
- UGC-NET History
- University entrance examinations
- State-level history and general studies examinations
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who was the central figure of the Revolt of 1857 in Assam?
Maniram Dewan is widely associated with the proposed anti-British uprising in Assam in 1857.
2. Who was Kandarpeswar Singha?
Kandarpeswar Singha was an Ahom royal descendant associated with the attempt to restore Ahom political authority during the 1857 crisis.
3. Who was Piyali Barua?
Piyali Barua was an important associate of Maniram Dewan who participated in preparations for the proposed uprising.
4. When was Kandarpeswar Singha arrested?
According to the Government of Assam’s Jorhat historical record, he was arrested on 7 September 1857.
5. When were Maniram Dewan and Piyali Barua executed?
They were executed at Jorhat on 26 February 1858.
6. What was the political objective of the Assam conspiracy?
An important objective was to challenge British authority and facilitate the restoration of the Ahom political order.
7. Why was Purandar Singha important to the background of the 1857 episode?
Purandar Singha was recognised as a tributary ruler in 1833, but his territory was annexed by the Company in 1838, strengthening direct British control over eastern Assam.
8. Was Assam a major military centre of the Revolt of 1857?
No. Unlike several major centres in northern and central India, Assam experienced a limited, planned conspiracy that was detected and suppressed before developing into a large-scale military rebellion.
9. Which institution preserves important historical records relating to colonial Assam?
The Assam State Archives preserves extensive government records and manuscript collections relevant to nineteenth-century Assam.
10. Why is Maniram Dewan important in Assam’s freedom-struggle history?
His attempt to use the 1857 crisis to challenge British rule and revive Ahom political authority, followed by his execution in 1858, made him an important figure in Assam’s anti-colonial historical memory.
Authoritative External Resources
- Assam State Archives – Holdings
The Archives provides access to colonial administrative records, manuscript volumes and Assam Commissioner records useful for researching nineteenth-century Assam. - Assam State Archives – Archival Repository
The repository contains records covering the period from 1823 to 1990, including historical administrative materials. - Government of Assam – History of Jorhat
This official district history provides important dates relating to Purandar Singha, Maniram Dewan, Kandarpeswar Singha and the 1857–58 episode. - Government of India – New India Samachar: Maniram Dewan
Provides a government-published biographical account of Maniram Dewan and his role in the 1857 uprising. - IGNCA – Historical Source on the Jorhat Conspiracy
Contains a digitised historical account discussing Maniram Dewan, Piyali Barua and the proposed uprising. - Government of India – Dictionary of Martyrs
The Ministry of Culture’s Dictionary of Martyrs: India’s Freedom Struggle (1857–1947) provides documentary material on participants in India’s freedom struggle.
Exam-Oriented Takeaway
Remember the core chain:
British expansion after 1826 → Annexation of Purandar Singha’s territory in 1838 → Revolt of 1857 → Maniram Dewan and Kandarpeswar Singha’s proposed resistance → Piyali Barua’s involvement → British discovery and arrests → Execution of Maniram Dewan and Piyali Barua at Jorhat on 26 February 1858.
This chronology is especially useful for APSC, Assam Police, ADRE, Assam TET, UPSC and other Assam/India history examinations.