The Treaty of Yandaboo between the British East India Company and the Burmese King of Ava, signed on February 24, 1826 marked the end of the First Burmese War. It also marked the beginning of the company's rule over Assam.

Historical Background

There was a long chain of events that led to the war between the British and the Burmese and subsequently signing of Yandaboo accord which annexed Assam with the Indian part of the British Empire.

Assam was ruled by the Ahom dynasty for around 500 years prior to this event. However, the Ahom kings became inefficient due to internal unrest and lack of devotion towards duty. This led to political conflicts amongst top officials like Purnananda Burhagohain who was one of the powerfull ministers of the king in upper (eastern part) Assam and Badan Borphukan , who was a general in lower (western part) Assam. Incidentaly, Badan Borphukan was a son-in-low of Purnananda Burhagohain . Later, Purnananda Burhagohain ordered for the arrest of Badan Borphukan . Knowing this, Purnananda Burhagohain 's daughter, Badan's wife warned Badan. He fled to Burma to seek the Burmese king's help to take over Assam.

The Burmese army conquered Assam after little resistance from the then week and unprepared Ahom army and started unprecedented attrocities and genocide of the Assamese people. Folklores in Assam say that Assam was turned into a graveyard during this period. (People in Asssam still refer to this period as "Maanor din" signifying such devastation). Badan Borphukan is still treated as a traitor of the people in Assam and his name is today synonymous with traitors of the country.

Yandabu Accord

Later, the Burmese army, locally called Maan in Assam attacked British occupied India. As a result of the British army had driven into Assam and subquently to Myanmar, then Burma. The Burmese king finally signed the Yandabu accord with British East India Company. As a part of this treaty Assam and part of Burma was annexed to British Empire.

External links

• Treaty of Yandaboo