1. INTREGRATION OF KHASI STATES INTO INDIAN UNION
Historical background of the Khasi States: The history of the Khasis may be traced back from
the early part of the 16th century. Between the 16th and 18th centuries these people were ruled by the
‘Syiems of Khyriem’ in the Khasi hills. The Khasi hills came under British authority in 1883 with the
submission of the last of the important Syiems, Tirot Singh. Later, the British incorporated Khasi States
into Assam in 1835.The region enjoyed semi-independent status by virtue of a treaty relationship with the
British Crown. When Bengal was partitioned on 16 October 1905 by Lord Curzon, the Khasi states
became a part of the new province of Eastern Bengal and Assam. However, in 1912 on the turn around of
the partition protest later the Khasi and Jaintia Staes became a part of the province of Assam.
Instrument of accession of the Khasi States: The Khasi States (of Meghalaya) consisted of 25
during British rule. The British government recognised the 25 Khasi states and categorised them as semi-
independent and dependent. The rise of political activity in these hills in the early part of the 20th century
affected the rulers of the states who in early 1934 formed the federation of Khasi states. As early as April
1945, when the tribal people in the North- Eastern region were beginning to take a more vocal interest in
their own future, the Khasi, Jaintia people also raised their voices. Even as early as April1945, it was
reported that the tribal people were beginning to take a more vocal interest in their own future .A meeting
in Shillong which contained most of the more prominent men opposed emphatically their inclusion into
either India or Pakistan. But the future of these Hills was not to be decided by the Khasi Chiefs.
Sometimes in July 1947, an agreement was reached between the States and Sir Akbar Hydari, the
Governor of Assam on three terms that Patel had asked the States to accept. On 9 August 1947, the Khasi
states signed the stand Still Agreement. They agreed that with effect from15 August1947, all existing
arrangement between the Province of Assam and Indian dominion on the one hand and the Khasi States
on the other should continue to be in force for a period of two years or until modified arrangement should
be arrived between authorities concerned. The arrangement was subject to certain exception which gave
the federated States judicial, administrative, and legislative and revenue powers. It was also agreed that all
British villages in the district which decided to rejoin States of which they formerly formed a part should
be followed to do so.
The Government of India found problem when it came to the question of getting the Khasi States
to sign the Instrument of Accession. On 2 October Hydary informed the Khasi Chiefs Instrument of
Accession from Delhi and that they should sign it. It was accordingly agreed that all 25 Khasi Chiefs
should assemble at the Governor residence on 15th
December and individually sign the instrument.
Twenty Chiefs signed the instrument that day that day , among the remaining Chiefs yet to sign it was the
Chief of Nobosohphoh, Nongspung Mawlong, Nongstoin and Rambrai. The Chiefs of three were ill and
would sign at home while the two refused to sign it. But soon Chiefs of Nobosohphoh and Nongspung
states signed the Instrument of Accession on 11 January, 1948 followed by Mawlong on 10 March. There
remained Rambrai and Nongstoin which delayed. Hydari then sent G.P. Jarman, Deputy Commissioner
and his Assistant R.T. Rymbai to these states with instructions that failure to comply with signing the
instrument would be followed by pressure of various kinds and in the last resort to deposition. At one
time it looked as if Jarman encountered armed opposition from Nongstoin and so platoon of Assam Rifles
was sent into the states. The Syiem signed on 19 March, 1948. Rambrai had signed two days earlier.
After executive notifications and the promulgation of the Constitution of India, the integration of the
Khasi states into the Indian Union was achieved.
2. While the Khasi States Constitution making Durbar had just been governed the Indian
Constituent Assembly was preparing for final draft resolution. J.J.M. Nichol Roy who was the member of
both the Assembly and the durbar urged the Durbar to accept the broad frameworks of the sixth scheduled
constitution. The Sixth Scheduled was the product of the North east frontier (Assam,) Tribal and
Excluded Areas Committee headed by Gopinath Bordoloi, the Assam Chief Minister. Apparently this was
done to suit the Constitution Part A of the first Scheduled of the Constitution which read that the territory
of Assam “shall comprise territories which immediately before the commencement of this constitution
were comprised in the province of Assam, the Khasi States and the Assam Tribal Areas”. Thus the Khasi
States became part of Assam without any agreement of merger and disregarding the provisions of the
Standstill Agreement. Matters came to a head over the question of the future administrative arrangement
for the Khasi and Jaintia Hills. On 21 July 1949 Dr. Hommiwell Lyngdoh, the Chairman of the Durbar
read Nichol-Roy’s resolution which suggested the formation of an autonomous unit of the Khasi and
Jaintia Hills with Assam Province. Though Nichol-Roy and his supporters had majority of members in
the Durbar, the vote over resolution and its amendment went for the Chiefs with victory of 40-46. The
remaining members then elected a sixteen numbers Negotiating Committee which sent a resolution to the
Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly for a reconstruction of the future of the Khasi States and
non-states villages. This arrangement continued till the end of 1949. The Khasi States (Administration of
Justice) Order, 1950 which came into force on January 1950, entrusted the civil and criminal justice to the
Deputy Commissioner of Khasi and Jaintia Hills District, his assistant and the Court of Syiems, Sirdars,
Lyngdoh and Wahadadars in a manners similar to the pattern existed during the British administration.
.
Conclusion: The integration of the Khasi states with the Indian Union remained a serious concern
for the people. The attempts at assimilation of the region and its people with the Indian mainstream have
caused resentment among different ethnic communities. The major problem in integrating the princely
states into India was the failure of the government of India to adequately address the political aspirations
of other ethnic groups not only the Khasi States but in the whole North eastern region resulted in
secessionist movements. The Khasi along side with that of the Garo States were granted statehood of
Meghalaya on 21st
January, 1972.
By,
Bloomingstar Syiem
E:bloom29virgo@gmail.com
