Miles Bronson and the Noctes
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Miles Bronson and the Noctes in the Namsang Hill
Miles Bronson, one of the pioneer American Baptist
missionaries worked in Assam, arrived at Sadia in Assam on 8 July 1838. In the previous year, Nathan Brown
and O.T. Cutter landed at Sadia with their families with an object to go to Northern Burma and South China through Sadiya. Initially as part of their mission, they worked among the local peoples by establishing schools both for boys and girls, writing books in their languages and preaching Christianity in and around Sadia. After staying more than about a year, Bronson left Sadia and moved to Jaipur in May, 1838. Jaipur, a place on the bank of the Burhidihing River, was an important strategic point for the Company Government because of its link road with Burma. Jaipur had connections with adjoining hills including that of Namsang. After the British occupation
, the place also became important for large scale tea plantation. At Jaipur, Bronson opened a school with help of Captain S.F. Hannay. During his stay at Jaipur, Bronson spent his time in the study of languages of surroundings tribes including that of ‘Namsang Nagas’. The ‘Namsang Nagas’ are called today as Noctes and Wanchos. The Noctes are concentrated in Namsang, Khonsa and Liju areas in Tirap district
of present Arunachal Pradesh
in India. The Noctes had close contact with Jaipur and frequently visited the area for salt trade. Most of the people of this tribe could speak Assamese. Therefore, Bronson chose to work among the Noctes with a vision to go to Burma.
and thought that he came to collect necessary information about them with an object of annexing their territory. After waiting for two days by the side of the village, the Khonbao, the chief, called upon him. Bronson told the villagers that he had come to learn their language and to preach the massages of the Gospel. Bronson by his geniality, soft words and also by presenting a few useful articles brought for the purpose was able to gain goodwill of the Khonbao. Soon, they made provision for him for staying in the village. The Khonbao allow two of his sons to teach him Nocte. He stayed there up to 29 January 1839 and during this period he studied Nocte and prepared a catechism
in Nocte.
and established it at Sadia. They learned the Assamese, Khamti and Singpho languages and prepared to write books in those languages. Very soon the missionaries began to publish books in their press at Sadiya. When they left the place after the Khamti insurrection in January, 1839, all the missionaries moved to Jaipur. Thus, Jaipur became the mission centre for sometime. The printing press was also brought to Jaipur. Already Bronson acquainted with the Nocte language. After his first Namsang visit, Bronson prepared a book of Catechism in Nocte. Soon he published it (1839) and wrote another book named A Spelling Book and Vocabulary in English, Assamese, Singpho and Naga (1839. During his second visit, he presented the two books to the Bor Khonbao, the acting chief, and wrote in his account that he had much satisfaction in presenting him the two first books ever printed in their language; that it could no longer be said that they had no books. He wrote other two books for the Noctes---Vocabulary in English, Assamese Singpho and Naga(1840) and Phases in English and Naga(1840). R. M. L. Bronson, wife of Bronson, translated Worcester’s Primer into Nocte (1840).
When Bronson was working among the Noctes, the American Board sent Cyrus Barker with his wife to assist him. Rhoda Bronson, sister of Miles Bronson, also came with Barker to work with her brother at Namsang. They arrived at Jaipur on 7 May 1840. She went to Namsang with his brother on 18 May 1840 and busied herself in the school affairs. Soon she engaged herself in studying Nocte there. The climate of Namsang was not favourable for Rhoda; she suffered illness. The frequent attacks of fever forced Bronson to return from Namsang Hill. They returned to Jaipur on 2 October 1840. It was their last journey from Namsang.
The establishment of the school at Namsang was not totally unsuccessful. While the school was in operation, Bronson wrote, all the sons of the chiefs came to the school and was able to read the books prepared for them. Several boys could read their own language and Romanized Assamese. Several had desire to learn Assamese. Even after coming down from the hill, once Bronson sent their native teacher Boliram to Namsang to see if they were daily reading or forgotten what they learned. After returning, the native teacher reported a very favourable account of their reading together evenings.
Besides his wife and departed sister Rhoda, Bronson bullshit assisted by the Boliram and Bhugchandra in teaching. The later was an interpreter.
of the tribe. Men particularly the warriors had their heads and ears ornamented with shells and precious stones
. Describing their wild habit, he mentioned that they were indolent and had untamed nature. He spoke of the hospitality of the Noctes.He mentioned about their economic life. Barter system existed among the Noctes. They lived entirely upon profit of their salt springs and were daily seen on plains exchanging salt for their necessity. He also mentioned the process of salt making.The water was drawn from deep wells by buckets made of leaves which was poured into large wooden troughs nearby for the purpose of boiling. They built a long arch of stone and clay. On the top, thin but single joints bamboos spreading like a boat were placed closely together. These held from to three quarts each. The boats were kept full of the brine and a large fire were kept blazing under them without injury to the bamboos. When the water boiled away, it turned into salt. For making salt in this process at least 6 men, wrote Bronson, were required—one to attend the arch, one to bring the brine, and four to gather wood.
Regarding their political system, he wrote that councils were held among the chiefs on important matters. Regarding religion, he wrote that they had no ‘caste system’ and ‘religion’. He observed that after marrying Assamese brides, some people of the tribe inclined to the ‘Brahmin faith’. In the accounts of Ruth Bronson, we have the traditional works of the Nocte women which already mentioned.
Actually the American Baptist missionaries came to Assam at the invitation of the Company Government. From the very beginning the missionaries had patronization from the British officials. The British administration and the tea planters like C. Bruce invited them with having political and economic ends and aided the missionaries both with financial and moral support
. Bronson had close relationship with the British officials since his arrival in Assam. When he moved to Jaipur for the first time, Bruce gave half part of his residence to Bronson for temporary settlement. In consultation with Captain Hannay, Bronson decide to work among the people of Namsang. He had donations from different British officials for the Namsang Mission. From a letter of Bronson it is known that he received Rs. 600 from C. A. Bruce and Rs. 240 from S.F. Hannay in 1838, Rs 50 from Lieutenant Sturt and Rs. 200 from T. C. Robertson in 1839 and Rs.240 from Hannay and Rs. 60 from Lieutenant Brodie in 1840.
After the British occupation, Jaipur became an important for tea cultivation. Bronson saw the prospect of tea cultivation among the adjoining tribes of Jaipur particularly among the Noctes. He seriously discussed the matter with Bruce. He hoped that it would help to civilize the peoples and improve the country and bind the Nagas to Company by another strong link. He was also in favour of introducing of cultivation of wheat, potato, garden vegetables, cotton and apple.
At the request of Bronson, Jenkins wrote to T. H. Maddock, Secretary to the Government of India, about Bronson’s plan and requested to bear a small amount for the cultivation. His letter to the Secretary exhibits a clear intention of the Company government towards the tribes
"I conceive that by a proper cooperation with that gentleman (Bronson ) and the encouragement of the Nagas to cultivate the products of their hills and tea in particular, we may hope ere long to see civilization greatly advanced among these Nagas, and our supremacy gradually extend over the hills, without which, and the consequent suppression of the constant feuds amongst the tribes, there seem to be little hope of effecting any great change in the habits of the people, or of our being able to avail ourselves of the great natural resources of the fine tract of mountainous country1."
In this letter, Jenkins requested the Secretary to give him permission to allow him to expend Rs.100 PM in aid of the mission. In his letter to Jenkins dated 29 June 1840, Bronson assured that he would do as possible as he could to successfully carry on ‘the proposed plan for the civilization of the wild Naga tribes’. In the same letter, Bronson informed Jenkins that the Noctes suspected the expansion policy of the government or “Onward March”. In his letter, dated August 24, 1840, Bronson wrote to Jenkins that he informed the Noctes about the tea plantation of the Company; but they did not give consent about the implementation of the plan. Bronson realized that nothing important would ever be effected among the ‘Naga tribes’ either towards their education or civilization until they were made less independent of the government by occupation of their salt springs or by occupying so many of them as would supply demand with a better and cheaper kind of salt and then they might be more readily induced to cultivate tea and became more industrious in habit.
Miles Bronson, one of the pioneer American Baptist
American Baptist
American Baptist may refer to:* American Baptist Association* American Baptist Churches USA* Baptist who is an American...
missionaries worked in Assam, arrived at Sadia in Assam on 8 July 1838. In the previous year, Nathan Brown
Nathan Brown
Nathan Brown may refer to:* Nathan Brown , American religious leader* Nathan J. Brown , political scientist & academic...
and O.T. Cutter landed at Sadia with their families with an object to go to Northern Burma and South China through Sadiya. Initially as part of their mission, they worked among the local peoples by establishing schools both for boys and girls, writing books in their languages and preaching Christianity in and around Sadia. After staying more than about a year, Bronson left Sadia and moved to Jaipur in May, 1838. Jaipur, a place on the bank of the Burhidihing River, was an important strategic point for the Company Government because of its link road with Burma. Jaipur had connections with adjoining hills including that of Namsang. After the British occupation
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
, the place also became important for large scale tea plantation. At Jaipur, Bronson opened a school with help of Captain S.F. Hannay. During his stay at Jaipur, Bronson spent his time in the study of languages of surroundings tribes including that of ‘Namsang Nagas’. The ‘Namsang Nagas’ are called today as Noctes and Wanchos. The Noctes are concentrated in Namsang, Khonsa and Liju areas in Tirap district
Tirap district
The Tirap district is located in the southeastern part of the state of Arunachal Pradesh in India. It shares a state border with Nagaland and Assam, an international border with Myanmar and a district border with Changlang.- History :...
of present Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is a state of India, located in the far northeast. It borders the states of Assam and Nagaland to the south, and shares international borders with Burma in the east, Bhutan in the west, and the People's Republic of China in the north. The majority of the territory is claimed by...
in India. The Noctes had close contact with Jaipur and frequently visited the area for salt trade. Most of the people of this tribe could speak Assamese. Therefore, Bronson chose to work among the Noctes with a vision to go to Burma.
Mission to Namsang
From the accounts of Bronson, it is known that he made his first journey on 7 January 1839, from Jaipur to Namsang taking a rubber tent and an interpreter. Crossing dense forests, hill streams and mountains, he arrived at a Nocte village in Namasang. The coming of Bronson was a great suspense for the people as he was the first ‘white man’ to visit the village. The villagers suspected him as a spy of the British East India CompanyBritish East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
and thought that he came to collect necessary information about them with an object of annexing their territory. After waiting for two days by the side of the village, the Khonbao, the chief, called upon him. Bronson told the villagers that he had come to learn their language and to preach the massages of the Gospel. Bronson by his geniality, soft words and also by presenting a few useful articles brought for the purpose was able to gain goodwill of the Khonbao. Soon, they made provision for him for staying in the village. The Khonbao allow two of his sons to teach him Nocte. He stayed there up to 29 January 1839 and during this period he studied Nocte and prepared a catechism
Catechism
A catechism , i.e. to indoctrinate) is a summary or exposition of doctrine, traditionally used in Christian religious teaching from New Testament times to the present...
in Nocte.
First Books in Nocte
The missionaries brought a printing pressPrinting press
A printing press is a device for applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon a print medium , thereby transferring the ink...
and established it at Sadia. They learned the Assamese, Khamti and Singpho languages and prepared to write books in those languages. Very soon the missionaries began to publish books in their press at Sadiya. When they left the place after the Khamti insurrection in January, 1839, all the missionaries moved to Jaipur. Thus, Jaipur became the mission centre for sometime. The printing press was also brought to Jaipur. Already Bronson acquainted with the Nocte language. After his first Namsang visit, Bronson prepared a book of Catechism in Nocte. Soon he published it (1839) and wrote another book named A Spelling Book and Vocabulary in English, Assamese, Singpho and Naga (1839. During his second visit, he presented the two books to the Bor Khonbao, the acting chief, and wrote in his account that he had much satisfaction in presenting him the two first books ever printed in their language; that it could no longer be said that they had no books. He wrote other two books for the Noctes---Vocabulary in English, Assamese Singpho and Naga(1840) and Phases in English and Naga(1840). R. M. L. Bronson, wife of Bronson, translated Worcester’s Primer into Nocte (1840).
First School at Top of the Namsang Hill
Bronson made his second Namsang mission on 20 December 1839. During this visit, he established a school with the help of villagers. Later he brought his wife and little daughter Marie from Jaipur on March 13, 1840. Initially he ran the school in much difficulty. Only young and the relatives of the chief were eager to read at the school. The common people had no interest to read and write as they had no sufficient time due to the manufacture of salt and other domestic works. Later evening school was held for those who worked and could not attend the school at daytime. It is interesting to note that the scholars came to the school with their dao (swords) and spears. The people were not in favour of female education. They were unwilling to spare their female from their traditional works such as bearing burden, bringing wood and water, making salt etc.When Bronson was working among the Noctes, the American Board sent Cyrus Barker with his wife to assist him. Rhoda Bronson, sister of Miles Bronson, also came with Barker to work with her brother at Namsang. They arrived at Jaipur on 7 May 1840. She went to Namsang with his brother on 18 May 1840 and busied herself in the school affairs. Soon she engaged herself in studying Nocte there. The climate of Namsang was not favourable for Rhoda; she suffered illness. The frequent attacks of fever forced Bronson to return from Namsang Hill. They returned to Jaipur on 2 October 1840. It was their last journey from Namsang.
The establishment of the school at Namsang was not totally unsuccessful. While the school was in operation, Bronson wrote, all the sons of the chiefs came to the school and was able to read the books prepared for them. Several boys could read their own language and Romanized Assamese. Several had desire to learn Assamese. Even after coming down from the hill, once Bronson sent their native teacher Boliram to Namsang to see if they were daily reading or forgotten what they learned. After returning, the native teacher reported a very favourable account of their reading together evenings.
Besides his wife and departed sister Rhoda, Bronson bullshit assisted by the Boliram and Bhugchandra in teaching. The later was an interpreter.
Mission Suspended
The continued illness in his family brought to an end of Bronson’s Namsang mission. After their arrival, they suffered again. There was no medicine and no doctor even at Jaipur. Without proper treatment, Rhoda Bronson breathed her last on 8 December 1840. Under this situation, Bronson was not eager to work in Namsang. Bronson moved to worked in the plain areas of Assam. He went to Nowgong and opened Nowgong Orphan Institution in 1843.Accounts on the Noctes
The accounts of Bronson throw light on the Noctes of the day. He refers on dress, jewelries, customs and usage as well as economy and political systemPolitical system
A political system is a system of politics and government. It is usually compared to the legal system, economic system, cultural system, and other social systems...
of the tribe. Men particularly the warriors had their heads and ears ornamented with shells and precious stones
Gemstone
A gemstone or gem is a piece of mineral, which, in cut and polished form, is used to make jewelry or other adornments...
. Describing their wild habit, he mentioned that they were indolent and had untamed nature. He spoke of the hospitality of the Noctes.He mentioned about their economic life. Barter system existed among the Noctes. They lived entirely upon profit of their salt springs and were daily seen on plains exchanging salt for their necessity. He also mentioned the process of salt making.The water was drawn from deep wells by buckets made of leaves which was poured into large wooden troughs nearby for the purpose of boiling. They built a long arch of stone and clay. On the top, thin but single joints bamboos spreading like a boat were placed closely together. These held from to three quarts each. The boats were kept full of the brine and a large fire were kept blazing under them without injury to the bamboos. When the water boiled away, it turned into salt. For making salt in this process at least 6 men, wrote Bronson, were required—one to attend the arch, one to bring the brine, and four to gather wood.
Regarding their political system, he wrote that councils were held among the chiefs on important matters. Regarding religion, he wrote that they had no ‘caste system’ and ‘religion’. He observed that after marrying Assamese brides, some people of the tribe inclined to the ‘Brahmin faith’. In the accounts of Ruth Bronson, we have the traditional works of the Nocte women which already mentioned.
Bronson’s Attempt for the Material Prosperity of the Noctes
Miles Bronson thought of material progress of the Noctes by introducing tea plantation. For that purpose he kept close contract with the Company officials. Bronson’s letters to different British officials regarding the Namsang Mission reveal his intense desire to uplift the Noctes from their utter backwardness keeping view in mind in spreading Christianity.Actually the American Baptist missionaries came to Assam at the invitation of the Company Government. From the very beginning the missionaries had patronization from the British officials. The British administration and the tea planters like C. Bruce invited them with having political and economic ends and aided the missionaries both with financial and moral support
Moral support
Moral support is a way of giving support to a person or cause, or to one side in a conflict, without making any contribution beyond the emotional or psychological value of the encouragement....
. Bronson had close relationship with the British officials since his arrival in Assam. When he moved to Jaipur for the first time, Bruce gave half part of his residence to Bronson for temporary settlement. In consultation with Captain Hannay, Bronson decide to work among the people of Namsang. He had donations from different British officials for the Namsang Mission. From a letter of Bronson it is known that he received Rs. 600 from C. A. Bruce and Rs. 240 from S.F. Hannay in 1838, Rs 50 from Lieutenant Sturt and Rs. 200 from T. C. Robertson in 1839 and Rs.240 from Hannay and Rs. 60 from Lieutenant Brodie in 1840.
After the British occupation, Jaipur became an important for tea cultivation. Bronson saw the prospect of tea cultivation among the adjoining tribes of Jaipur particularly among the Noctes. He seriously discussed the matter with Bruce. He hoped that it would help to civilize the peoples and improve the country and bind the Nagas to Company by another strong link. He was also in favour of introducing of cultivation of wheat, potato, garden vegetables, cotton and apple.
At the request of Bronson, Jenkins wrote to T. H. Maddock, Secretary to the Government of India, about Bronson’s plan and requested to bear a small amount for the cultivation. His letter to the Secretary exhibits a clear intention of the Company government towards the tribes
"I conceive that by a proper cooperation with that gentleman (Bronson ) and the encouragement of the Nagas to cultivate the products of their hills and tea in particular, we may hope ere long to see civilization greatly advanced among these Nagas, and our supremacy gradually extend over the hills, without which, and the consequent suppression of the constant feuds amongst the tribes, there seem to be little hope of effecting any great change in the habits of the people, or of our being able to avail ourselves of the great natural resources of the fine tract of mountainous country1."
In this letter, Jenkins requested the Secretary to give him permission to allow him to expend Rs.100 PM in aid of the mission. In his letter to Jenkins dated 29 June 1840, Bronson assured that he would do as possible as he could to successfully carry on ‘the proposed plan for the civilization of the wild Naga tribes’. In the same letter, Bronson informed Jenkins that the Noctes suspected the expansion policy of the government or “Onward March”. In his letter, dated August 24, 1840, Bronson wrote to Jenkins that he informed the Noctes about the tea plantation of the Company; but they did not give consent about the implementation of the plan. Bronson realized that nothing important would ever be effected among the ‘Naga tribes’ either towards their education or civilization until they were made less independent of the government by occupation of their salt springs or by occupying so many of them as would supply demand with a better and cheaper kind of salt and then they might be more readily induced to cultivate tea and became more industrious in habit.