Previous Year Question

The major leader of the Revolt of 1857 in Assam was Diwan Maniram Dutta, who was also known as Maniram Dewan.

Maniram Dutta Baruah, commonly known as Maniram Dewan, was initially associated with the British administration and had also served the deposed Ahom ruler Purandar Singha. Later, his dissatisfaction with British policies increased.

When the Revolt of 1857 began, Maniram Dewan viewed it as an opportunity to restore Ahom rule in Assam. Together with other associates, he planned an agitation against British rule and attempted to mobilise Ahom supporters and sepoys of the Assam Light Infantry.

The plan envisaged restoring Kandarpeshwar Singh as the Ahom king. Maniram Dewan was directing the plan from Calcutta, while Piali Barua was among his principal associates in Assam.

British officials discovered secret letters sent by Maniram Dewan, and the plan for revolt was exposed before it could be fully implemented. Maniram Dewan, Piali Barua and several of their associates were subsequently arrested.

Maniram Dewan and Piali Barua were found guilty of conspiring against British rule and were publicly hanged at Jorhat on 26 February 1858.

Thus, Kandarpeshwar Singh was the proposed Ahom ruler in the plan and Piali Barua was a major associate, but the leader of the 1857 revolt in Assam asked in the question was Diwan Maniram Dutta.