A SKETCH OF ASSAM: WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF THE HILL TRIBES. BY AN OFFICER IN THE HON. EAST INDIA COMPANY'S BENGAL NATIVE INFANTRY IN CIVIL EMPLOY. With Illustrations from Sketches by the Author. LONDON: SMITH, ELDER AND CO., 65, CORNHILL. 1847. PREFACE. To those accustomed only to the comforts of civilized life, or to the traveller who is indifferent to the beauties of scenery, the monotony, silence, and loneliness of the vast forests of Assam, will present few features of attraction; but as the country offers a wide field of discovery, and so many interesting enquiries remain to be prosecuted in regard to the numerous wild tribes by which it is inhabited, it is hoped that the present brief outline of the condition of the people will not prove altogether uninteresting. The chief object of the following pages is to make Assam better known, to remove some prejudices which exist against it, and preserve the memory of many remarkable scenes. The narrative of the principal events has been compiled from official documents, with the knowledge of Government; but the Author has expressed his own unbiassed opinions on many interesting subjects with which he became acquainted during a residence of some years in the Province. Much more might have been described, but the few authenticated facts now put forth will probably suffice, from their novelty and interest, to amuse the reader until greater leisure and further experience enable the Author to present a more comprehensive work. TO MY FATHER, WHOSE EARLY TUITION, URBANITY, LEARNING, AND EXAMPLE, ENCOURAGED ME AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF LIFE TO RELY ON MY OWN EXERTIONS, THESE WANDERINGS AND REFLECTIONS IN A WILD, UNCIVILIZED, FOREIGN LAND, Are Dedicated WITH THE GREATEST VENERATION, BY HIS AFFECTIONATE SON. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.