A STUDY ON SADIYA TRADE FAIR

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 CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE NO.

Map: 1 i

Map: 2 ii

CHAPTER: I Introduction 1-5

CHAPTER: II Emergence of Trade Fair During the

British Period in the North East Frontier 6-11

CHAPTER: III Sadiya Trade Fair and Its Importance to

the Hill Tribes 12-14

CHAPTER: IV Conclusion 15

Bibliography 16
 i

Map: 1

Map showing different Tribes of Sadiya Frontier

Source: L.W. Shakespear, History of Upper Assam, Upper Burma and North East Frontier, Macmillan,
1914
 ii

Map: 2

Map showing different Tribes of Sadiya Frontier

Source: L.W. Shakespear, History of Upper Assam, Upper Burma and North East Frontier, Macmillan,
1914
 CHAPTER: I

INTRODUCTION

The Sadiya trade fair was introduced by the British in 1867 1. Sadiya was the capital of
the Chutiya kingdom. However, Sadiya got its name after the Chutiya prince, son of
Ratnadhvajpal, who was sent to the ruler of Gaudha, Viswarup Sen, for higher education.
Unfortunately, the Chutiya prince died there and the corpse was sent to Ratnadhvajpal, who
was engaged in building a city at Sindhukshetra on the bank of Kundil River, where it was
cremated. From that time onwards the place came to be known as Sadiya meaning Sa-dead
body, diya-to give or cremate2. The Chutiya kingdom which extended over almost the entire
region of Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Tinsukia and some parts of Dibrugarh was ruled till 1523.
Dhirnarayan was the last ruler of the Chutiya kingdom. The whole Chutiya territory was
annexed to the Ahom kingdom and an officer called Sadiya-khowa Gohain was appointed to
run the territory of Sadiya. The first officer to the office of Sadiya-Khowa Gohain was
Phrasenmung3. The Ahom officer Sadiya-khowa Gohain ruled over Sadiya, until in 1794, the
Khamtis dethroned the officer of Sadiya and gave his name and jurisdiction to a chief of their
own race. The chief of the Khamtis was even considered by the British Government as lawful
ruler of Sadiya. By the Treaty of Gauhati, 1833, Purandar Singha, had to accept the terms that
the Raja would have no power over the Moamaria, country of the Bar Senapati or over the
territory of the Sadiya Khowa Gohain4. Towards the end of 1834, the Sadiya-khowa Gohain
was removed from the office by the commissioner and the British started to Administer Sadiya.

The Sadiya trade fair was organised in the lines of Darrang fair, Udalguri fair and
Doimara fair by the British colonial Government. Since there was numerous raids by the hills
tribes like-Duphlas, Abors, Miris, Mishmis and the Kapachors and Akas- Hazari-Khawas on
the Sadiya region, therefore the colonial government had to adopt more active measures of the
reprisal. Thus, the British adopted various measures like the Posa system, Inner line regulation
and fairs. To maintain a good relation and to bring integrity of the British territory and for
preserving the peace and tranquillity in the frontier the British engaged in settling with the
Chiefs of the tribesmen of various groups. The stalls on the borders of Assam and Arunachal

1
Singh & Riddi, Pre-colonial history and Traditions of Arunachal Pradesh, p. 140
2
Baruah, A Comprehensive History of Assam, p. 185
3
Ibid., p. 229
4
Goswami, The History of Assam from Yandabo to partition, 1826-1947, p. 60
 2

Pradesh underwent tremendous changes during the British rule in Assam from that of the Ahom
period. Rejuvenation of trade fairs was in the line with the broad framework of the Empire and
its Commercial motive of the East India Company came to light in the Report of 1797, where
the motive of the British were ‘creating a demand for articles in these trade fairs, for the
products of Europe and Bengal’ and supplying with a valuable return in Gold or silver bullion.
In 1834, lieutenant Charlton was appointed as in charge of Sadiya region. In a letter written to
David Scott by Lieutenant Charlton, agent to the Northeast Frontier, Captain Neufville also
expressed the urgency of boosting the rising spirit of commercial extension and enterprise
amongst the border tribes of the Region. He asked the British government to give them a good
market at the frontier with different products of English and Indian produce as were in demand
in the market, at a reasonable price receiving in exchange for the native products. Neufville’s
information, consist of items like salt, coarse med broadcloth, black muslin, med bailze,
chintze, white cotton cloth, cotton coloured handkerchief, velvet, opium and med blanket of
Bhutan and eri cloth of the plain and the latter would be chiefly Ivory, Gold, Amber, Musk,
Mishmiteeta, Munjee and Khampti dao and spear etc. David scott also gave the idea that the
trading with the Hills tribes to the north as well as the Singphos would naturally grow in future.
For this, he proposed to establish a stalls and marts at Sadiya5.

The tribes of north-east namely the Mishmis, Khamtis Abors and Nagas visited to
Sadiya fair which was held regularly in the month of February, where the tribesmen sold
Rubber, Musk, Elephant tusk, Wax, Amber, Rhinoceros’ horn, Ivory and took in return Iron
pans, Eri-Cloth, Broad-Cloth, Opium, Brass utensils and Beads6. In February 1872, the
Chulkattas visited the Sadiya fair in huge numbers bringing various items like Indian rubber,
skins and wax for sale by them7. Since 1880s, the trade was on the decline. The attendance of
the Abors and Mishmis were much less than earlier years following the advance of British
outposts to Bomjur and Nizamghat, on the Dibong, to prevent certain Abor clans from crossing
the stream and committing outrages on the Mishmis. In 1881, as recorded by Deputy
Commissioner, ‘The attendance was very small compared with previous years. The Abors, like
before except four or five individuals, as usual in the previous years, were not present to attend
the fair. The Khamtis and Singphos, visited in good number, and the Chulikata, Mishmis,
though visited, but not in nearly such strength as in previous years. Neverless, the fair was

5
Parhi & Riddi, History of North East India 1228 to 1947, pp. 100-101
6
Barpujari, The Comprehensive history of Assam, vol-5, p. 115
7
Mackenzie, The North East Frontier of India, P. 51
 3

restarted for reasons like political, to bring the different tribes in friendly contact with one
another, ‘with the people of the plains areas and with the local officers of the Government of
the frontier’8.

The Sadiya trade fair, to the hill tribes reduced to some extend due to various reasons
like- the establishment of numerous shops by the Marwaris at the outskirts of the Lakhimpur
district. The main motive of the tribes since the late nineteenth century was to visit permanent
shops and markets that grew and the unavoidable result was the decline of the trade fairs.

SURVEY OF LITERATURE

So, far no serious work has been done to the Sadiya trade fair by any Historians and Scholars.
The work would thus rely on some primary, secondary data and field work. However, analysing
other literature written on different views by different scholars, from different disciplines on
the Sadiya trade fair would be immense help for the study of the Sadiya trade fair. For this
some of the literature is brought out here for general understanding.

1. The North East Frontier of India by Alexander Mackenzie9 gives information about the
various tribesmen of North-east and the colonial administrative events. It describes
about the tribesmen and the British policy in bringing the trade fair among the tribesmen
in Sadiya.
2. The comprehensive history of Assam by H. K. Barpujari10 brings to light about the
internal developments and frontier trade during the British period.it also gives
information about the various trade and fairs held in the frontier.
3. The Tai and the Tai kingdoms by Padmeswar Gogoi11 gives information about the
Ahom annexation of Sadiya and its relation with the tribesmen of Sadiya.
4. The History of Assam from Yandabo to partition, 1826 to 1947 by Priyam Goswami12
explains about the early British expansion in Assam. It also gives information about
British taking control of Sadiya and their expansion.

8
Barpujari, The comprehensive history of Assam, vol-5, p. 115
9
Mackenzie, the North East Frontier of India.
10
Barpujari, The Comprehensive History of Assam.
11
Gogoi, The Tai and the Tai kingdom.
12
Goswami, The History of Assam from Yandabo to partition, 1826-1947.
 4

5. A History of Assam by Sir Edward Gait 13 is brief account of Assam history, it provides
us knowledge of the consolidation of British rule in Assam and the Sadiya under the
Khamtis.
6. A Comprehensive History of Assam by S. L. Baruah14 gives a detail information about
how Sadiya got its name and the early rulers of Sadiya.
7. History of North East India, 1228 to 1947 by Dr. A R Parhi and Dr. Ashan Riddi15,
informs about the British policy in North Eastern Frontier of Assam and the various
fairs held in the Frontier.
8. A History of Revenue Administration in Assam, 1228-1826 A.D by Surendra Kumar
Goswami16 is a detail history of revenue system about Ahom rules, it also informs about
the Sadiya Rajya and Sadiya khowa Gohain and the revenue matters with the hill tribes.
9. Tribal History of Eastern India by Edward Tuite Dalton17 describes the socio-cultural
life of the different tribes of the Sadiya region on the prevalence of Sadiya trade.
10. India’s North-East Frontier in the Nineteenth century by Verrier Elwin18 gives us
information of the overall tribesmen of the Hill tract of sadiya. It gives us information
about the tribes like, Mishmis, Khamptis, Singphos etc.
11. Pre-Colonial History and traditions of Arunachal Pradesh by Sudhir kumar Singh and
Ashan Riddi19, gives us information about the different trade fairs that happened during
the nineteenth century.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The Sadiya trade fair was organised during the British period from where the tribesmen
and the British could sell their products in the Sadiya region. The Sadiya trade fair which was
visited by the different tribes like the Abors, Miris, Mishmis, Duphlas, the Khampti, Shingphos,
and the Nagas was an important centre for doing trade. Though the Sadiya trade fair was held
in the nineteenth century there are very few written records, when the fair started and the early
people who started the fair. Though some Historians and Scholars have written little
information about the Sadiya trade fair but it was not enough for the Historical background of
the Fair. The Sadiya trade fair emerged as one of the most important centres for the tribesmen

13
Gait, A History of Assam.
14
Baruah, A Comprehensive History of Assam.
15
Parhi & Riddi, History of North East India 1228 to 1947.
16
Goswami, A History of Revenue and Administration in Assam, 1228-1826.
17
Dalton, Tribal History of Eastern India.
18
Elwin, India’s North-East Frontier in the Nineteenth century.
19
Singh & Riddi, Pre-colonial History and Traditions of Arunachal Pradesh.
 5

to trade with other people, where they could sell their products. Therefore, an attempt is made
to write a dissertation on “Sadiya Trade Tair”.

OBJECTIVE

1. To study the importance of trade fair during the British period.

2. The emergence of Sadiya Trade Fair and its impact.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. Why was Sadiya trade fair important to the tribesmen of Northeast Frontier?
2. What were the main items that were sold in the Sadiya trade fair?
3. Why was Sadiya trade fair organised?

METHODOLOGY

In order to fulfil the objectives, the work will make use of the secondary sources to get
broader picture of the Sadiya trade fair. The secondary sources will be published books,
journals, magazines, articles and others. For collecting the secondary sources, the central
library of Bodoland University, Kokrajhar District Library, and others were visited. The
dissertation will be Historical and analytical.

CHAPTERISATION

Chapter: I Introduction

Chapter: II Emergence of Trade fair during the British period in the North East
Frontier

Chapter: III Sadiya trade fair and its importance among the Hill Tribes.

Chapter: IV Conclusion
 6

CHAPTER: II

Emergence of Trade Fair During the British Period in the North East Frontier

The Moamariyas created a great crisis for the Ahom monarch for which the British were
finally seeked help against its own people, but for the British, who were interested in expanding
the trade and territories of the British East India Company thought it as a golden opportunity
for them. The upper Assam was always in turmoil and there was always internal disturbance
in the region, with the Burmese penetration in the area it became more vulnerable to the attacks
of the neighbouring hill tribes like, the Singpho, Daflas and the Khamti. Initially the British
considered these places as not beneficial to the British, therefore David scott suggested only
the annexation of lower Assam and not the upper Assam.

The British with the Military occupation of Upper Assam in 1826 came into direct
contact with the tribes inhabiting Sadiya. People of the Maomaria, Khamti, Singpho were the
major tribes that inhabited the Region. With a sphere to make influence of the British and to
neutralise the rebellion of the Frontier Tribes in the event of another Burmese invasion, David
Scott entered into agreements with the Chiefs of the Singphos, Khamtis and Maomarias of
Muttock on 13th May 1826. After the first Burmese War, the territories occupied by the
Khamtis of Sadiya were formally annexed by the British and was formally handed over to their
chief, known as Sadiya Khowa Gohain, whom the British Government regarded as the lawful
owner. The Sadiya Khowa Gohain was even exempted for paying any tax to the British
government, but the Khowa Gohain made an agreement to maintain a force of two hundred
men armed by the British Government, the internal Administration of the Khamtis and the poll-
tax of one rupee was collected from the people by the local chief Sadiya Khowa Gohain.

The old Sadiya Khowa Gohain passed away in 1835, and his son took his place as a
new ruler. The new Sadiya Khowa Gohain then embroiled in a conflict with the Matak Chief,
Bar-Senapati, over a region known as Chukowa on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra that
was claimed by both Tribes. The political agent in Sadiya, Captain White, requested that the
two Chiefs send the subject to him, but the Sadiya chief disregarded this and took the land by
force. In 1835, the political Agent punished this offence by placing his entire Province under
direct British rule1. The Sadiya Khowa Gohain’s post was exterminated in correspondence and

1
Chatterjee, North East India: Dispersion and Discontent, pp. 291-92
 7

he was transferred to another Area. The Khamtis themselves were not subjected to taxes and
were still permitted to conduct their internal affairs through their own chiefs.

A chief known as Bar-Senapati, the son of the Man who had been awarded that title by
Purnanda Burah Gohain, ruled Matak, which is located south of Sadiya in the angle between
the Brahmaputra and the Burhi Dihing. It was primarily inhabited by members of the Moamaria
Sect. He had proven to be a capable leader during Burmese occupation, defending his people
from both the Singpho’s raids and the Burmese’s rapacious incursions. The Bar-Senapati
acknowledged the British Supremacy in 1926 and signed a contract stipulating that he would
give the British Government two thirds of all of his Paiks. He was required to pay the poll tax
of any ryots entering his domain, whether they were the British or Native Assamese. Though
he was not required to pay any tax for himself. The Bar-SENAPATI passed away on May 24,
1839. Prior to his passing, he attempted to have his second son, the Majoo Gohain, recognised
as his heir to the post. The Majoo Gohain had no claim to be considered as a tributary prince
or as anything other than a revenue-settlement holder under Mr. Scott’s control, the government
held, and on his death, it choose to propose to him a settlement on altered terms. He was given
the chance to run the country with the same civil authority as the Bar-Senapati, with the
understanding that the government would receive a portion of any payment or services the
Paiks might be required to provide on the basis of a new census conducted every five years;
the government would control the occupied jungle tracts; and the Matak chief would not have
any control over tea gardens2.

The Kakus or Kakhyens of Burma, whose primarily habitat was on the vast eastern
branch of the Irrawaddy, were thought to be genetically identical to the Singphos, but the
Singphos of Assam never permitted themselves to be referred to as Kakus or Kakhyens. The
Singphos are divided into five distinct clans like Mirip, Tesan, Lophae, Mayrung and, Lutong.
The Maomariah uprising difficulties in the reign of Gaurinath Sing was the first time where the
Singphos appeared in Assam. They expelled the Khamptis from the low-lying areas beneath
the Patkoi Hills, and they settled on the Tengapani east of Sadiya and the upper Booree Dehing
in the Namrup tract3. The Singphos, on 5 may 1826, made an agreement between the British
government and 16 Singphos chief at Sadiya durbar. The Singphos acknowledge the British
supremacy, and agreed to give up captives, referring disputes to arbitration and promising

2
Mackenzie, The North East Frontier of India, p. 74
3
Ibid., pp. 61-62
 8

cooperation in times of war and disturbances. In the same durbar, the Beesa gaum was made
the paramount chief and the channel of communication between the Singphos and the British.

The company decide to post a British officer at Sadiya in order to ensure a dominating
military and political presence in the area. Captain Neufville emphasised that the British must
be guided by the fundamental principle of guaranteeing the chiefs their time honoured rights
and privileges while at the same time ensuring their subservience when maintaining their ties
with the latter. After taking this into consideration, the chiefs were allowed to decide upon civil
cases and minor criminal cases within their respective jurisdictions. Serious criminal cases
were, however, to be referred to the political agent, of upper Assam. Sadiya, though not under
direct administration control, was under its indirect control. It was hoped that these measures
would help in creating conditions necessary for the maintenance of peace in the region4.

With the deterioration ties between the chiefs and the British brought a rift between the
two, towards the end of 1834 both the chief of the Singphos and the Khamtis were engaged in
hostilities over rival claims upon migrants who had deserted Purandar Singh’s territory and
settled at Saikhowaghat. In an outright defiance of British authority, the Sadiya Khowa Gohain
not only refused to comply with the request but went a step further by assaulting the settlers
and forcibly taking possession of Saikhowaghat. The Sadiya Khowa Gohain was also suspected
of aiding the anti-British Singpho rebellion in 1830. Enraged by his defiance, the commissioner
ordered the removal of the Sadiya Khowa Gohain from the office and British Administration
in the areas which had been under his control.

After annexation of the Singphos, and the Khamtis, the speculation of annexation of
Muttock was in great rise. With the discovery of tea plant in the area the British began to take
special interest in in Muttock. Jenkins had already highlighted this discovery to the government
with the suggestion that the territory be brought under more effective control of the British. He
reiterated his views in 1838. With the death of the Bar Senapati the following year and with
accordance with his wishes, was succeeded by Maju Gohain. Although the question of
annexation loomed largein large in the background, the government was apprehensive of taking
such a drastic change immediately. Since the possibility of a renewed Burmese invasion still
existed and in the case of such an eventually, the neutrality, if not active assistance, of the
Moamarias would be immense help. With the succession of Captain White by Captain Vetch,
the new political agent realised that it would be futile to insist on the tribute because it would

4
Goswami, The History of Assam from Yandabo to partition 1826-47. p. 75
 9

only lead to disaffection. At the same time, foregoing the demand completely would be taken
as assign of weakness. Opting for a middle course, vetch decided to fix the amount of the tribute
payable on the basis of a new census. In December 1839, Captain Vetch issued a general
proclamation on behalf of the Company’s government, assuming charge of the entire Muttock
territory5. With the annexation of Muttock the entire Sadiya region came under the British
control.

Emergence of Sadiya Trade Fair during the British period

The British attempted to remove every barrier to internal and external trade in Assam
during the early years of their Administration. After the arrival of Jenkins as Representative to
the Governor General of North East Frontier in 1834, he successfully urged the government to
take a serious view of the obstacles and put inland trade of the province on a proper footing by
removing all the hurdles to free and fair trade6. The British revived numerous weekly and bi-
weekly markets, which been existence throughout the Assam on the eve of British penetration.
The main motive of the British was to exercise political control over the Frontier tribes, to
promote their commercial interest by encouraging internal and international trade, and to
popularise European Goods, they officially organised trade fairs at a number of places in and
around the frontiers. Some of these Fairs were daily, some bi-weekly and the rest annually.

From the middle of the Nineteenth Century onwards, a number of fairs were conducted,
and several tribesmen attended it. The fairs at which trade with the frontier tribes was carried
out at the Brahmaputra valley were held at Udalguri, Khagrapara, Daimara, Darrang and
Sadiya. One of the most important was the Udalguri trade fair in the Koriaparaduar, which was
held from 1854, in Magaldoi sub-division of the Darrang district, which was visited by Tibetan
Bhutias of Tawang; tibetians and Assamese visited in considerable numbers. The Doimara fair
was held at a place five miles in a straight line north east of Udalguri. The Sherdukpens of
Rupa and Shergaon used Doimara routes. Ponies, sheep, and mules were engaged by the
Monpas, Sherdukpens and Tibetians for carrying their loads to and fro from the place of fairs.
Bhutias visited the Khagrapara fair, which was held close to Kerkeria in the northeaster portion
of Mangaldai subdivision in the district of Darrang. Another fair of Darrang district was the
Daimara fair which was on the second pass of the Tawang route, and was attended by the
Tawang Tibetians, Sherdukpens, Monpas of the Arunachal Pradesh.

5
Ibid., pp. 76-78
6
Kalita, Trade and commerce in the Brahmaputra valley in nineteenth century Assam, p. 69
 10

The Sadiya fair was introduced by the British in 18677. The Sadiya Fair or Mela was
held at Sadiya at the full of the moon which occurs about the end of January or beginning of
February, to which all the hillmen and Frontier Tribes resort for the purposes of Trade, to
receive the annual Posa or subsidy from the government, or have their difficulties and disputes
settled by the political officers. Along with physical competitions for the hill and other tribes,
the district’s Deputy Commissioner participates as well as the yearly race meeting of the Sadiya
Road planters. It is estimated that four to five thousand hillmen attended this fair, and the
amount of trade done by them amounted to nearly 50,000. The imports at this fair are
principally rubber, madder, wax, cotton, musk, cloths, mats, khamptis daos, and ivory. The
export are Assamese and English cloths, salt, brass, iron, and bell-metal utensils, silver earing,
and ornaments, beads, brassware and opium. As the hill tribes are inveterate smokers and
addicted to ardent spirits, and the dealers in tobacco and spirits, must also drive a thriving
trade8. Items of imports and export suggest that the hill people brought down natural products
and purchased more of manufactured items.

The availability of cheap products resulted in the decline of traditional industries. For
example, the cheap salt resulted in the thorough depreciation of locally manufactured salt in
the twentieth century. Synthetic dyes, mills made cloth and woollen pushed the indigenous
products out of market. Further there also grew a desire for luxuries which were made available
in the shop established by the Marwari’s at different localities 9. The Adis, Mishmis, Khamptis,
Singphos, and Duaniahs, who travelled through the plains while navigating thick forest and
rocky hills and crossing the river by boats, were among the several tribes whose requirements
were also met by the Sadiya trade fair. The fair were also frequently visited by Marwari traders,
Assamese, and European Planters. The Miris, Khamptis, Mishmis and Abor’s requirements
were met by Sadiya trade fair, though the Abors did not attend for a while. In 1876, 3000
tribesmen were present and the number rose in later years. 3000 were present in 1876, and the
number increased afterwards. They carried down more than Rs 25,000 worth of their stuff in
1874 and brought home things worth Rs 17,630. Although the sum significantly higher; they
brought in Rs 44,475 worth of products and sold Rs 49,100 worth of goods.

The Sadiya fair was clearly a great occasion. In 1881, Mr Mc William with Major Peet,
to whom he was handing over charge of the area, crossed the Brahmaputra at Saikwa in boats

7
Singh & Riddi, Pre-colonial History and traditions of Arunachal Pradesh, p. 140
8
Elwin, India’s North-East Frontier in the Nineteenth century, p. 352
9
Singh & Riddi, Pre-Colonial History and Traditions of Arunachal Pradesh, p. 141
 11

decorated with gilt standards and gorgeous flags. The following day there was a procession
headed by the officers on a large elephant and followed by the principal Singpho and Khampti
Chiefs also with elephants, a Miri band and several parties of dancing-girls. The Mishmis
would not join the procession, preferring to march in a body of their own parallel to the main
one. In 1883, there was a display of fireworks for the first time and it is reported that ‘although
they showed to some disadvantage on account of the dampness of the weather and the
brightness of the moon, they were, nevertheless, much appreciated by the Abors and the
Mishmis who saw them, and many wonderful stories have since been circulated regarding
them’10.

10
Elwin, India’s North-East Frontier in the Nineteenth century, pp. 353-54
 12

CHAPTER: III

SADIYA TRADE FAIR AND ITS IMPORTANCE TO THE HILL TRIBES

Through the fairs, the British government wanted to secure an outlet for their
merchandise across the border. The British administration realized that the well organised trade
fairs would be highly appreciated by the hill tribesmen as an opportunity for the disposal of
their hill produce and for the procurement of their requirements. The British thought that these
fairs would attract a large number of hill people. The British were interested in the prospect of
constructing a land route to China and Burma through the Kampti-Singpho regions. Since the
British administration wished to continue its relationship with these tribes and utilise their land
to establish trade routes with other nations, such as China and Burma. The Sadiya trade fair
was introduced with such an idea that it was believed that, the Sadiya would have to be a
forwarding agency between India and China, it was to become a station of considerable
importance and by its commercial activities would attract enterprise and thus materially assist
in the opening up of Upper Assam. Sadiya situated on the right quay of the Kundil River, a few
miles above its junction with the Lohit or the Brahmaputra enjoyed a commanding position on
the frontier. Sadiya was accessed by a combination of roads, railways and waterways. Sadiya
was also connected with the Assam Trunk road which linked Brahmaputra at Saikhowaghat
and reappeared on the north bank where for three miles it continued to Sadiya. The
Brahmaputra could be crossed by ferry at Saikhowaghat. The trader’s convenience was further
increased by the 1885-1903 construction of the railway, the Dibru-sadiya railway connecting
Saikhowa and Dibrugarh. Between Goalundo and Dibrugarh, the Indian general steam
navigation business operated a daily service of passenger steamers and a fine fleet of freight
boats. Above that town traffic was carried on by country boats, but vessels of four tons could
go as far as Sadiya. Such trade prospects also induced the authorities to establish a registration
office of Frontier trade in May 1913 which was placed within the power of the Deputy
Commissioner and the political officer at Sadiya. But in respect of trade with China and Burma,
not much advancement was observed. Occupation of Burma by the British gave them access
to the markets there. The hostile attitude of the Chinese and their attempted interference in
Indo-Tibetan relation stood in the way of cross-country trade.

Even though initially the Frontier areas were looked upon as a buffer zone between
Burma and Assam, their interest in the area increased with the possibility of conducting trade
 13

across the Frontiers and due to the existence of Mineral resources like Silver, Gold, Amber,
Salt, and forest products like Teak, Rubber, and Elephant. Trade of European Merchandise
increased at the cost of indigenous products. The introduction of monetary economy pushed
out the barter economy with only a small section being benefited by it. Trade was also used by
the British as a strong instrument of political control. The Economic blockade secured the
submission and loyalty of the concern groups as markets were very important in their economy
and the areas were deficit in many necessary items 1.The report on the provincial Administration
of Assam for 1878-9 notes that in 1879, ‘about 40 European were present, and the usual barter
went on between them and the hill people, the latter disposing of all they possessed in the way
of arms and ornaments, and of most, indeed their clothing. Articles of this nature commanded
prices which must have surprised the owner’.

The Abors attended the Sadiya trade fair from 1883, and by 1885 there were 900 Abors,
nearly half the total number of tribesmen, attending the fair. The Abors sold a large quantity of
their own hand-woven cloth to the visitors from the plains. The Dingarus bought more finery
in the shape of beads. The Khamptis and Singphos, who were expert in waving the pretty
tartans which they wore was affected greatly as they brought the English tread and they also
began using English pottery. Rubber stood at the head of the list of articles sold in the fair. The
Mishmis, who were already accustomed to visiting that location’s markets, brought with them
some Lama swords and spears, Mishmi tita, a sizeable quantity of vegetables poison for use in
poisoning arrows, and gertheana, which was highly prized by the locals for its unusual but
rather alluring aroma. They also brought some ivory, a little amount of musk, and a few musk
deer skin, which they acquired from the lama country. The items are then exchanged for glass
beads, of which they are very fond, Cloths, salt and money, to which the tribes began to attach
great value. The tribes-men when procured a sum of sufficient money they then used in
purchasing buffaloes and country cattle.

The Abors and Miris brought down pepper, ginger, madder, and wax, which they
exchanged for the product of the plains. The valuable article of trade of the Singphos were
mainly ivory, which they brought down in considerable quantities. The Naga occasionally
bartered their ginger and cotton for a few minor articles 2. Like the other tribal groups the
Misings had a mutual economic dependency with the other tribal for essential articles, such as
salt, beads, cloth, cooking utensils etc. the missing not only exported to the Neighbouring tribes

1
Singh & Riddi, Pre-Colonial History and Traditions of Arunachal Pradesh, pp. 141-142
2
Elwin, India’s North-East Frontier in the Nineteenth century, p. 314
 14

but their products also went to the Tibet, China and Burma by different trade routes. Due to
their ethnic resemblance and native habitat, trading with China and vice-versa was more
profitable for them. Beside the annual fair the British had a long-running trade between the
plain and the hill. Though the brisk trade in the fairs since the latter year of the nineteenth
century, began to decline, but the local traders began to flourish, not only because of the
improvement of the communication market but also because of the greater facilities offered by
the Marwaris.

The tribesmen were compelled depend on the plain and the British due to the scarcity
of the materials in the hills, The European goods penetrated in the hills of the frontier who later
became dependant on the markets. A small number of tribal handicrafts was found in the
markets of the plain. Over a period, a cash transaction increased, for which the hill people were
compelled to change into a new economy based on cash. The British also realised that for the
selling of their goods, it was necessary to command the trade routes of the region with Tibet,
china and Burma.
 15

Chapter: IV

Conclusion

The Antecedents ideas of trade through fair and local haat continued on with the
additions being done and were made systematic although variations were observed in the
trading items. The government did not encourage trading in any and every places, since they
were called upon in case of trouble, they had to provide security and punish the offenders. The
British felt that for controlling the tribes, it was necessary that they should trade through
particular marts where they could be controlled. The British also felt that fairs would open up
contact among the people of the plain and the hill, thereafter resulted infusing civilizing and
influence over the tribes. The Posa or allowance was cleverly distributed among the chiefs at
the fairs, which enabled them to buy things in cash in addition to barter and exchange. The
British even presented rich presents including bottle of rums to the chiefs. The tribal Mishmis
and Khamptis and were regarded as inveterate traders and are known for their trading activities
with China and Burma. The Akas, Monpas and Adis too were involved in trade with the
neighbours. Before the British organising of fairs, the tribal bartered mainly pepper, ginger,
wax, ivory, cotton, wool, gold, rubber, elephant tusk, etc. for exchange of cloth, salt,
agricultural items and utensils. During the end of the Nineteenth century, the decline of Sadiya
trade fair was seen due to the facilities offered by the Marwaris. The Marwaris began to open
shops in administrative centres and in the police and military posts, where the authorities could
provide security to the traders. As a result, these places encouraged the growth of commerce
and trade. The Sadiya market, for example, soon developed in the town where permanent
constructions were to be built the police and military posts. Along with Sadiya, a number of
commercial hubs and weekly hats arose in the vicinity of Mising’s populated districts. These
were for example, Saikhowa, Lakhimpur, Nizamghat, Dibrugarh, and Golaghat. In respect of
commerce and trade with the Frontier Hill tribes, then slowly controlled the traditional foothills
market and then they began to control a particular tribes or groups in sphere of phases.
 16

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