Remnants of make-shift place of Gomdhar Konwer recovered

The remnants of make-shift place of first rebel leader from Assam against British rule in 1826, is found at Toratoli Village near Rajabari of Jorhat.

On record, Gomdhar Konwer was the first rebel from Assam in the history of freedom struggle of our country. He declared himself as a conqueror of Assam representing the nine ethnic group, subsequent to the Yandaboo Treaty signed on 24 February 1826. He declared independence from British rule and erected make-shift camp at Toratoli village from where he would rule. He also successfully garnered the ammunition camp of the British Empire at Rongpur, Sivasagar.

Gomdhor was the member of the Ahom dynasty, who ruled Assam nearly about 600 years from 1228 to 1826. He was declared as king by the rebel forces at that time. The rebel forces led by Dhananjoy Buragohain fight with the British forces at Mariani, Jorhat and were massacred in the mutiny. At the same time many rebels were arrested and Gomdhar was perhaps sent to Andaman. But nobody knows what happened to Gomdhar some believes that he was killed by British after the arrest.

The wooden pillars are found at the Gomdhar Konwer memorial garden which is under construction at Toraitoli. These pillars are about three and half feet height and three feet eight inches in diameter.

The existence of this make-shift palace is mentioned in the Tai manuscript written by Makhan Boruah of Maurabazar, Deo-Dhai Village, Amguri of Sivasagar district in 2006. Baruah was a companion of Gomdhar Konwer and he recorded everying happened during the revolt.

According to the manuscript the place was made of Sal wood and Bamboo and erected on a huge plot measuring 400 bighas. He palace was a huge building measured 24 feet by 240 feet. A pond measuring 150 by 56 feet was also dug up along with the palace.