A Sketch of Assam: With some account of the Hill TribesButler, John, Major
History
A Sketch of Assam: With some account of the Hill Tribes
Butler, John, Major
Assam (India) -- Description and travel; Assam (India) -- Social life and customs; Ethnology -- India -- Assam
During the interview the Booteahs were plentifully supplied with
swine, the most acceptable gifts that can be offered to a Booteah;
and an officer who was present on the occasion assured me that
the incessant squeaking of the pigs, when roasting alive by these
heartless barbarians, was most distressing, and the sight of the
culinary process excessively disgusting. As soon as the animals had
been partially roasted they were cut up, and, without any further
preparation, re-toasted and speedily consumed.
The Booteah is a large, athletic man, of a dark complexion, with
an unpleasant, heavy, but cunning countenance. Compared with other
hill tribes in their neighbourhood, they are deficient in spirit and
bravery. For example, in March 1836, A.D., a party of seventy-five
Assam Sebundy Sipahees proceeded against six hundred Booteahs, who
were posted in five masses, with a few men extended between each,
at Soobunkatta, in Banska Dooar. When the Dewangerie Rajah was
requested to retire with his troops; they answered the requisition
with shouts of defiance and a simultaneous advance. Lieut. Matthews,
perceiving the critical situation in which his little band was placed,
instantly advanced to the contest, and, firing a volley and then
gallantly charging with the bayonet, caused the immediate dispersion
of the whole force, leaving on the field twenty-five killed and fifty
wounded. The Dewangerie Rajah himself was closely pursued, and only
escaped through the swiftness of the elephant on which he was mounted;
his tent, baggage, robes of state, and standards, fell into the hands
of the victorious Sebundies.
This trial of strength with our disciplined troops has taught the
Booteahs to pay more respect to our power; and they are not likely to
have recourse to arms again, unless greatly distressed for provisions,
or urged by vain arrogance to imagine that a show of resistance may
conduce to our resigning the Dooars to their rule.
SATH BOOTEAH RAJAHS OF KOOREAHPARAH DOOAH, IN DURRUNG.
Having given a brief outline of the Booteahs of Banska Dooar in
Kamroop, we propose now to detail a few authenticated facts and
incidents connected with the remaining tribes noted above; who are
located in the northern mountains between the Bur Nuddee west and
the Kochoojan east, bordering on the Luckimpore district, north of
the Burrampooter river.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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