JAINTIA REBELLION 47 W.J Alien, Member of the Board of Revenue, Lower Provinces, also recommended a moderate house tax. .He wrote: I am of opinion that a light and judicious taxation would contribute to the preservation of tranquility and good order in thejynteah Hills. A modeAte taxation had very beneficial effect upon the savagery of the Lurka Coles of the Singhbhoom district of the south-west frontier agency. It was found to make them less turbulent and aggressive, and more thrifty, diligent, and submissive to the authorities; and I am disposed to think that a ypry moderate taxation, fixed for a term of years would improve the condition and strengthen the peaceful and industrious inclinations oC these wild mountaineers also.4 Alien further proposed that in order to administer justice and to check die lawless conduct ofthedotlus a European dvil officer should be stationed at the centre of the hills.5 Though the proposal of imposing a house tax was favourably considered no step was taken to implement his second recommendation^ and consequently the Syntengs were left as before to the management of th^ village headmen. In 1860 the house tax was first introduced, the highest limit of which was fixed at onchupee a house. This measure of direct taxation, though nominal, wounded tfte feelings of the hillmen. The people came out openly and in different meetings resolved to resist its payment. Within a few months the whole tribe was in a fierce rebellion which however was promptly stamped out before t^ie rebels could make much headway;6 In the wake of the revolt security measures throughout the hills were righte.ned. Civil officers were given powers to dismiss thedollois for misconduct and the policemen atjowai (headquarters of the hills) and elsewhere were instructed to take due cognizance of all complaints against the villagers. Peace, however, did not return as quickly as was expected. Towards the close of I860 new taxation was introduced in the form of judicial stamps. But nothing had so badly disturbed the people as the income tax which was first introduced in thejainria hills in 1861. It is true that the incidence of the tax on income was extremely insignificant It was reported that 310 persons were actually assessed and the amount derived was fts. 1,259 only. The highest tax levied, and that too in only one case, w^s Rs 9; another person was assessed at Rs 5, twenty at Rs 4 and 8 annas and the rest were taxed at the minimum rate, viz. Rs 4 a year.7 But this impost, quickly succeeding the house tax and the stamp revenue, produced the deepest indignation among the people who had paid nothing as tax for generations. Be that as it may, on f7 January 1862 the Syntengs numbering about six hundred marched tojowai and burnt down the Christian settlemeht there. Major E.A. Rowlatt, Deputy Commissioner of Khasi and Jaintia Hills,' partially succeeded in repulsing the insurgents and destroyed most of their stockades.8 The hard core of the rebels, however, remained as active as before. The people "though armed with bows and arrows, fought bravely for their independence^. Under U. Kiang Nongbah, the rebellion soon assumed the character of a war of liberation and.it was with great difficulty that the situation could finally be brought under control.