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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 March 2011
The habitat of the Bor Khámtis, who are said to number 20,000, is in a valley high up the Irrawaddy, in latitude 27° and 28° east of Sadiya. The Khámtis that we know in Assam are those that have emigrated from “Bor Khámti” and have settled in Assam after the breaking up of the kingdom of Pong by Alomphra. These settlers established themselves early in this century on the “Tenga pani” (a river in, the vicinity of Sadiya), with the permission of the Ahom kings. Before proceeding further, it will be interesting to note that this Khámti movement is the second instance of Tai emigration that we have on record. Some considerable time previously the Ahoms, who spoke a language much akin to the Khamti tongue, and who are also of the Tai race, made an irruption over the Pátkoi range and invaded and conquered Assam. The Khámtis, who had apparently been given hospitality by the Ahoms because they were almost kinsmen, before long rose against the Ahom king, and ejected the Ahom governor of Sadiya or “Sadiya Khówa Gohain.” The Khámti chief took the governor's place and retained it. The Ahom king, not being strong enough to oust the Khámti usurper, had to recognize him. During the rule of this chief the local Assamese were reduced to slavery, and they were not released till our own Government interfered in 1839. Out of revenge the Khámtis rebelled against our Government, and the Sadiya garrison, including its commander, Col. White, was surprised and cut up.
page 157 note 1 This seems to agree with Mr. Cust's language map. The larger patch of Khámti is, I conclude, “Bor Khámti,” and the smaller patch the Khámti settlement at Sadiya.
page 158 note 1 Census of 1891.
page 159 note 1 Assamese (bapú) = priest.
page 161 note 1 “Modern Languages of the East Indies,” p. 122.
page 164 note 1 See SirHunter, W. W., “Non-Aryan Languages of India,” etc., pp. 20, 21Google Scholar, on the influence of Chinese, in the formation of these languages.