Dr. Satarupa Saha
Assistant Professor (Guest), School of Liberal Arts, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha, University, Dwarka, New Delhi-110078, India
E-mail: satarupasaha64@gmail.com
Issue: Vol. 2 No. 3 (September 2026) – Anubodhan
Received: 16 September 2026 / Accepted: 23 September 2026 / Published online: 25 September 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.65885/anubodhan.v2n3.2026.114
Abstract
The agitation led by Sonara R. Sangma during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries marks an important phase in the history of Garo agitation to colonial intervention in the Garo Hills and adjoining plains of the Goalpara region. The consolidation of the colonial authority brought significant changes in existing systems of landholding, forest use, revenue collection and labour. These changes generated grievances among the Garos, particularly over the loss of revenue demands, forest restrictions, forced labour or begar and the claims of zamindars over Garo-Goalpara inhabited areas. This paper examines Sonaram R. Sangma’s agitation within the wider context of colonial transformation of land, forest and revenue relations. It argues that his movement contributed significantly to the emergence of Garo political consciousness and collective identity while challenging the erosion of customary autonomy under colonial rule. It elucidates the objectives by analyzing the relevant archival documents, official reports, monographs and relevant secondary sources.
Keywords: The Garos, agitation, British colonial indirect and direct rule, Sonaram R. Sangma, customary autonomy, zamindars.
How to cite: Saha, S. (2026). Colonial Intervention and Agitation of the Garos during the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Century. Anubodhan, 2(3), 205–211. https://doi.org/10.65885/anubodhan.v2n3.2026.114