Abstract

The economic policy of the British brought a social change in Assam. The profit generating attitude of the British is attributed to the social mobility and peasant unrest. The cash crop cultivation in Assam provided a space for commercialization, but it has compelled the local peasants to work for the British instead of supporting domestic consumption. The British revenue policy has destroyed the self-sufficient rural economy of the people of Assam by introducing a monetized system of revenue payment. In order to meet the revenue payment, peasants became dependent on money lenders which eventually created indebtedness.The Paik system was the early practise of paying the tax in the form of voluntary service to Ahom State in lieu of revenue payment. Private ownership of land was not mandated to the peasant communities except the religious institutions, Brahmins and the SatghariaAhoms who were better known as seven blue blooded Ahom Family associated with Gohainsowned the private lands. It has created inequality in ownership of land. Assam having a less population with vast tracts of fertile land offered a living space for land mongers who did not hesitate to come and occupy the waste and marshy land. The Cash crop cultivations compelled the British to devise a new strategy to procure more labour which finally invited thousands of skilled and hard working immigrants to Assam for cultivation. The influx of immigrants brought a demographic change. Since the local people lacked monetary power the advanced communities from mainland India were invited to manage the economic activities in Assam. Literally British did little for the improvement of agriculture and use of agricultural implements. Since, majority of the people were engaged in rice cultivation, they didn’t bother to work in British owned tea gardens where the wages were lower than the requirement of family maintenance. Land and revenue settlement policy of the British gave rise to peasant mobility. This policy has ruled out the middlemen and victimized the peasant communities with the heavy burden of tax. Besides, diseases and natural inundation have aggravated the condition of peasant communities.

Key words: Social Mobility, Immigrants, Cash Crops, Policy, Tax