1855.] Notes on Northern Cachar. 591 



The entire district, as it now stands, formed a portion of the do- 

 minions of the Rajahs of Cachar, who were in the habit of exacting 

 revenue, consisting of ivory, wax, rice, and other articles of produce, 

 from all the mountaineers east of Jynteah to Manipur. On the 

 death of Gobind Ohunder the last Rajah of Cachar, in default of 

 successors, Cachar lapsed to the British Government, in the year 

 1830, and with it we also became possessed of the mountainous tract 

 of country to the north. Circumstances, however, which had oc- 

 curred during the latest years of the native sovereignty of the pro- 

 vince, induced us to take but a small part of the hilly country 

 immediately under our own government. 



In the reign of Gobind Chunder, a menial in his service of the 

 name of Kohee Dau pushed himself sufficiently forward to be ap- 

 pointed governor of the hill country attached to the kingdom. Once 

 removed from his master he had influence sufficient to instigate a 

 successful rebellion, and establish his own independence, which in 

 due time was acknowledged by Gobind Chuuder himself. But shortly 

 afterwards, being decoyed down to the plains, he was treacherously 

 assassinated, at the hands of his former master. His son Toolaram 

 escaped, and for a long time led a roving life in the hills, main- 

 taining his independence, notwithstanding the forces sent against 

 him by the Eajah of Cachar. 



In 1824 Toolaram joined the Burmese in their invasion of Cachar, 

 and drank his full meed of revenge in the fire and sword which 

 they spread through the kingdom of his enemy. The alliance of 

 a man like Toolaram must have been of great service to the Bur- 

 mese in their enterprise. His local knowledge alone was worth half 

 an army to an invading force such as they were, and indeed with- 

 out his aid it would have been impossible for them to have made 

 good their retreat before our army, which they did through the 

 hills in the JNT. E. corner of Cachar, a place called " Bagua kona" 

 to this day in memory of the flight. 



On the withdrawal of the Burmese, Toolaram was left in his old 

 position as regards his territory, thougli better able to resist his old 

 enemy, Gobind Chunder, who nevertheless made frequent attempts 

 to expel him. 



In 1828, Toolaram, though able to withstand all attacks from 



4 i 



