मणिराम दीवान Maniram Dewan - Assam’s First Tea Planter Who Dared to Defy the British

Maniram Dewan – Assam’s First Tea Planter Who Dared to Defy the British

When we talk about India’s freedom struggle, names like Rani Lakshmibai, Mangal Pandey, and Bhagat Singh often come to mind. But tucked away in the lush green valleys of Assam lives the legacy of Maniram Dewan – a man who was not just a freedom fighter but also a visionary entrepreneur and one of the pioneers of Assam’s tea industry.

From Aristocrat to Revolutionary

Born in 1806 in Assam as Maniram Rajkhowa, Dewan came from a prosperous and well-respected family. His education, intelligence, and resourcefulness quickly brought him to the notice of the Ahom kings and later the British administration. At one time, he even worked closely with the British, helping them set up tea plantations in Assam. But as years passed, he began to see the darker side of colonialism – the exploitation, the high-handedness, and the utter disregard for the local people and their rights.

The Man Who Brought Tea Independence to Assam

Before his clash with the British, Maniram Dewan made a name for himself as a pioneer tea planter. He set up his own tea gardens long before most Indians even thought about it, proving that Assam could grow and produce tea independently, without being controlled by foreigners. In many ways, he was not just fighting for political freedom, but also for economic self-reliance.

Turning Against the British

The turning point came when the British East India Company began tightening its grip over Assam. Heavy taxes, unfair trade policies, and disrespect towards Assamese traditions fueled Maniram's resentment. When the Indian Revolt of 1857 broke out, Maniram Dewan saw it as the perfect moment to strike back. He joined hands with local leaders and began mobilizing people in Assam to rise against the colonial rulers. Letters, secret meetings, and plans were laid out to overthrow British control. But the rebellion was short-lived in Assam. The British caught wind of the conspiracy and moved quickly to suppress it.

A Martyr for Assam

Maniram Dewan was arrested in 1858, accused of treason, and sentenced to death. On 26 February 1858, he was publicly hanged in Jorhat – becoming one of Assam’s first martyrs in India’s freedom struggle. His execution sent shockwaves across the region, but it also planted seeds of resistance that would grow in the decades to come.

Why We Must Remember Him

Today, Maniram Dewan is remembered not just as a freedom fighter, but also as a visionary who believed in self-reliance, courage, and dignity for his people. Roads, schools, and memorials in Assam carry his name, reminding new generations of his fearless stand. His life story is proof that the fight for freedom was not only fought on battlefields – it was also fought in tea gardens, in trade, and in the courage to say “No” to injustice.

Maniram Dewan’s journey – from a respected aristocrat to a rebel hanged by the British – is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices behind India’s independence. For Assam, he remains a symbol of pride, resilience, and the unyielding will to be free.