M. Imyu Longchar
Naga and Ahom lived a good relationship before the British occupation of the whole areas. Nagas lived on a free land even before coming of the Ahoms. Ahoms invaded this fertile land of Brahmaputra Valley under the leadership of King Sukapa who ruled in Ahoms Kingdom i.e. 1228 -1260 AD.
While Koches invaded Ahom capital in 1563, many Ahoms took sheltered on Naga hills mainly in the areas of Ao’s, Phom and Konyak. In such a contest of supremacy over the Ahoms, Kings, Princes and officers said to have approach the Nagas of those area and even recruited them into Ahoms regiment it was very unfortunate that most of the Ahoms rulers were hunted by rivalries both from within and outside. They often took refuge in the Naga hill and saved them. Mentioned may be also made of Prince Godapani who wandered to Naga Hills while hiding himself from haunted by Laluk Burphukan a claimant to the Ahom throne. Nagas sympathized with the Prince Gidapani and was given shelter and offered every assistance.
He stayed for some time in a few Ao Villagers then proceeded to Phom area and into the Konyak area who later married a Konyak girl name “Watlong” daughter of Thawang. Later on Godapani ascended to Ahom throne in 1681. A.D. and assumed the Ahoms name, “Godadhar Singha”. As a token of gratitude for the un-estimated support and assistance rendered by the Nagas, including the Ao’s, the King not only offered valuable present, but also arable plot of land called khills and fishing right over the waters known as “Bheels’ on the understanding that they would desist from making and predatory raids into plains. These lands were called “Naga Khats” and were manage by the Assams agents known as “Naga Kotakis”. Their duty was to communicate between Ahoms and the Nagas.
The Ao’s derived considerable benefit from their good relation with the Ahoms because by honoring it they enjoyed the privilege of the ownership of the then Duars (means gates). The Duara were open in three places:
1. Dupdur Duar
2. Sharingia or Assiringa Duar
3. Hatigaria Duar.
There were others Duars in the North, i.e. Namsangya Duars for Koyaks Nagas, and the South Doyanga Duars of the Lotha Nagas. Each Duars were held by Naga Kotakis, and jointly held by group of Naga Villages. Taxes were remitted partly to Naga Kotakis and partly to Nagas. The area of Duars was open in the place of Naga Khats which was offered by the Ahom King.
During the Burmese invasion of Assam, (Burmese known to Ahoms as Mahn) the Ao Nagas, true to their tradition stood solidly by the side of the Ahoms during the reign of terror let loose in Assam by the combined forces of the Burmese and Singphos. Since their ravages, plundering, wanton killing of the Ahoms were beyond human tolerance, the Ahoms were forced to rush to Naga Hills.
This alarmed the Ao Villagers and alerted them to fight the common foe, while batches of warrior were sent to the plain. It is said that warrior from Aonokpu village and Lirmen village were skirmishes with the Singpho marauders in the plain. Thousand of Ahoms took shelter in the lower and upper ranges of Ao area for safety and this can be seen in the different monuments and places.
Gadadhar Singh died in February 1696 but important developments were done during his time and one among them was the construction of Dhodar Ali, which run from Nowgong to Sibsagar.
According to Book, “North East Frontier of India” by Alexander Mackenzie- page 98, para-3.
“The rapid extension of Tea cultivation along this Frontier gave rise to considerable correspondence between 1869 and 1873. The limit of Lakhimpur and Sibsigar to the south was above noticed, the old frontier road” called the Dhodar Alee, and Ladoigarh road. This frontier line is called inner-line.
“The Tea planters had long since in many places, both in Lakimpur and Sibsagarh taken up by lands south of revenue line, in some instance panging revenue to us, and in others i.e., Naga Chief Page-99 Para (1) run thus:- “Under the provision of the inner line regulation already described, such a boundary was accordingly laid down, compensation being paid to the Nagas for the area occupied by those Tea garden which lay beyond the inner-line”.
“The Kotakis were instructed on behalf of the Nagas to look after these Naga- Khats reserved for the Nagas in the plain, the Kotokes were to maintain a channel of communication between Ahom Kings and the Naga Chief”.: North Eastern affairs, page – 26.
It is well understood that Dodar Ali was the boundary between the Ahoms and Nagas and the Naga Khats belong to Nagas given by the Ahom King in the plain area.
Though Naga Hills district was created in 15th November 1866 under the Bengal province including Assam and 1871 Assam, comprising all the north east tribal areas, except Arunachal (it was under North East Frontier Agency) brought under Assam province. After Independent India in 1947, Assam State remains the same including tribal areas.
Nagaland State was created on 1st December 1963 out of blood and tears under the condition of an agreement known as 16 Point agreement between Government of India and the Naga People Convention (NPC). It was strongly opposed by the Naga Freedom movement, then Federal Government of Nagaland. Under the 16th point’s agreements serial No. 12, run thus, “All the reserved Forest and other Naga areas will be returned to Nagaland with clearly defined boundary under the present settlement”.
The above statement clearly shows, that all the forest and the lands belonging to Nagas should re-transfer to Nagas and it was agreed even by the Government of India. It included all the forest in the foot hills and land including the Naga Khates which was offered by the Ahom King.
The detail of the Naga forest which is claim by Assam including the following places:
(1) Diphu reserved forest,
(2) Rangma Pani Reserved forest
(3) Doyang reserved forest
(4) Kaka donga forest
(5) Desoi valley (Tsurang valley)
(6) Teru valley
(7) Geleki Forest.
(8) Abhayapur Forest
(9) Delli Forest
The above forest and valleys is part and parcel of the Naga area.
In context to recent movement of All Assam Student Union (ASSU) claim of Tzurang Valley (Desoi Valley) at Ao Naga area in un-imaginable instead of claiming it, they should return the all Naga Khats which falls on plain area, particularly Hatiguria Duar (at present Hatiguri is located between the Mariani and Titapar, it is about 30 Km from Tzurang river towards Assam). The Naga area includes all the Naga Khats which was given by the Ahom King.
Therefore, Assam is the real encroachers and aggressor. They never realized the good deeds of their forefathers and their Kings, and kindness by the Nagas during the days to tragedies. It is not bad if the ASSU come to Naga hills and visit the place and monuments where their forefathers and kings took shelter during the time of famine and from their enemies.
The present claim by the Assam basing on several survey lines like 1925 line is created by their own interest, without the knowledge of the Naga. Assam is the mother of all the North East States; she should shun all greediness and behave as a good motherhood. Otherwise there will be never peace and tranquility in relating to boundaries with all her neighboring States.
