Tirot Singh, The Legend

Scene 1

The story of Tirot Singh is told by their grandmother & grandfather to their grandchildren….
Old man and Lady are sitting with Their two grand children.
Grand Child1: Mei ieid Pa ieid.

Grand Ma & Pa: Oh my dear.

Grand child2: Mei ieid, tell us a story. You have such wonderful stories about our
ancestors.

Grandchild1: Why don’t you tell us about the story of Syiem Tirot Singh.

Grandchild2: We heard about Syiem Tirot Sing in the school. Tell us about him?

Grand pa: Oh yes, a story worth telling. A story of romance, bravery, tragedy and true
freedom. What did you hear about him in the school?

Grandchild3: Tirot Singh was born in 1802 and died in 1835. He drew his lineage from the
Syiemlieh clan. He was the Syiem (chief) of Nongkhlaw, of the Khasi Nation. He lived his
life during troubled times.

Grand Ma: Indeed!.. very troubled times... It was the time when the British entered the
North East of India. Every nation had to bow to the power of the British. But Tirot Singh
was different… he was different….

In the back ground, the curtain opens with Tirot Singh, his mother and three Lyngdohs in
deep conversation at Nongklaw, outside a Khasi House.

Mother: My dear son, I know you are in a difficult position. Being a ruler comes with great
responsibility but--you may have to pay a great price. You are caught between Loyalty and
Danger. I know you will face every difficulty with bravery but …. oh my heart aches for you.

Tirot Singh: It is true mother, I have no fear of foe or friend. I have no fear of betrayal or
defeat. But I only fear for my people who will suffer at the hands of the foreigners. I fear for
your anxiety and your heart aches ...if we have to wage war against the Ahoms and the
British.

Mother: My son, I have lived a long life. I have seen your uncles rule our land in prosperity
… and also in difficult times. However what troubles me now is beyond comprehension.
The power of the English has to be weighed. The White people cannot be trusted. Greed
has filled their hearts. Today they want a road for their trade in our land. Tomorrow they will
compel us to give them land.

Tirot Singh, The Legend 1

And ….In my dream, I saw black clouds hovering around our skies. I saw the white men
appear. But I also saw ...that the clouds could not block the Sun. Even in defeat, the truth
will uphold itself.

Mama/Lyngdoh 1: Indeed Meikha, We are in a difficult situation. If we don’t allow the road
to be made from Brahmaputra to Syhllet, they will come with guns. If we allow, we have
other worries.

Mama/Lyngdoh 2: If we allow them, they will control us. We will have to pay taxes to
them for using our own land.

Mama/Lyngdoh 3: We all know, Assam has fallen into the hands of the British. The king of
Assam is just a pawn. He has no power. And the British people want to meet us today…

A lady family member: Mama mama, Mr. David Scot and the British delegates have
arrived. They say that they have an appointment with you.

Mother: Kongthei, I will come and see to our Guest.. Son May God guide you.

Tirot Singh: Let them in.. Mother.

(The mother and Kongthei exit: The meeting of the British delegates headed by Mr. Scot
and the Khasi delegates headed by Tirot Singh exchange greetings and are all seated
around the traditional Dorbar arrangement)

Mr. Scot: Greetings my friends. I am Mr. David Scot, the representatives of the British
nation in the Khasi Hills and he is my deputy Charles Smith. We come in peace and in
your favor to make trade and increase your economy. May I speak to your lordship.

Mr. Charles: The British East India company seek your permission to pass through your
land and in return we give safety to your people and trade for you to prosper and build
your economy. More over, the land in the plains which rightly belongs to your nation shall
be yours.

Tirot Singh: Truth and Honesty is what you say. However they must blossom in the deeds
of Man. Truth and Honesty is what I stand for. It is not to be trampled upon with hollow
words. Will you keep your word? And oh by the way… even if you keep it, will your nation
fulfill of what you say.

Mr. Scot: Your lordship, rest assured of the agreement. I promise you on my on behalf and
on behalf of East India Company.

Mama/Lyngdoh 1: Our Lord, Tirot Singh doesn’t betray nor does he expect others to
betray the Agreement. You know that this agreement is a bond of safety for the people,

Tirot Singh, The Legend 2

ours as well as yours. Whoever breaches this agreement will bring consequences to both
to himself and others.

Tirot Singh: I and my country men, accept this agreement and in doing so promise to
keep it. If this is upheld, It will be an honor even to pay it with my life.

Mama/Lyngdoh 2: Mr. Scot, You and your nation must keep your word and your promise.

Mr. Scot: Aye Sir. I on behalf of British empire take responsibility of keeping my word and
the promises of the British Nation.

Mama/Lyngdoh 3: May God be our Judge and may Peace reign by this agreement.
(The delegates and shakes hand and exit while the Grandma and children re-enter.)

Scene 2
Grand pa (with brightness in her face) aha… today you have learnt a lot about Our
beloved Tirot Singh. There is a story that my grand mother fell in love with Tirot Singh
when she met her. It was love at first sight.

Grand ma: It is said that he saved your grandmother and gave her his handkerchief. And
she fell in love.

Grand child1: very interesting, He was brave and he was romantic too.

Grand pa: He was a brave person and a caring person too. He loved his people…. (A bit
of reflection…) I wish… we have more young men like him today.

GrandChild2: Please continue the story.

Grandchild3: Oh yes, please continue.

Grand Pa: It was in the winter of 1832, when my grandmother Bansara and her family
went to gather firewood in a nearby forest. My Grandmother Bansara was a just 16 years
old then.
(There is a mother, a young maiden and small children collecting firewood by the country
side.)

Mother: Oh it is freezing cold and the winter has set in. Where is Bansara? (calling out
loudly)… Bansara Bansara…. Come fast its going to rain… we need to go back home.

Bansara: (From behind the stage a voice is heard) I am coming, hold on, wait…. (enters
Bansara, a beautiful maiden) Here mother, I am. You are always worried about me. See
my sisters what I have found… (and shows some local stuff...)

(Enters two men, one drunk and other laughing and harasses the women and children. )

Tirot Singh, The Legend 3

Maiden1 (pleads to be left alone) leave us alone, please leave us alone. …..
Maiden2 Oh God! Take your filthy hands off ….help help.

(Tirot Singh enters from a horse, ensues a fight scene and Tirot saves them…After the
fight, romantic scene ensues; Tirot Singh takes the fallen bags etc… and the fallen
handkerchief and gives to Bansara…)

Tirot Singh: Oh beautiful one… I believe this is yours… I presume.

Mother: And that is mine… Tirot Singh: Oh...

Other Maiden: And that is mine… Tirot Singh: Oh...

Tirot Singh: oh oh and these are yours obviously…

Tirot Singh: Oh… your are hurt… keep this (places his handkerchief on her palm)...

Bansara: Oh brave one, who are you and why are you so kind? … and so handsome...

Tirot Singh: Lovely lady and... all of you, I am Tirot Singh. The Syiem of Nongkhlaw. I
save you because it is my duty and my pleasure.

(Tirot Singh whistles and the horse appears, he rides on his back as the song continues...)

(Song: “Tirot Singh Tirot Singh”

Song and dance…. as he is dressed a long Tunic, turban and all sorts of paraphernalia and the
second stage is opened up at the Dorbar. The dorbar depicts of the late 19th century.
In the Dorbar, there is good news as well as bad news; )

Scene 3

Tirot Singh: My dear friends and council members of this beautiful land. We will begin our
meeting. Let us hear from anyone who wishes to speak.

Council1: Sir, We have indeed very good news from various places. The kingdom of the
East and North have sent their greetings. They sent two cows and 10 hens as a sign of
gratitude for helping them in the disputes.
They said that they will be a part of your alliance against the British and the Ahoms.

Council2: And oh sir! A very important message indeed, if you are ready, the Chief of
Nongbnai village has given his word that if you wishes to marry his beautiful and lovely
daughter Bansara, he will be the most happy person.
(every one claps and laughs)

Tirot Singh, The Legend 4

Tirot Sing: hahahaha… Rangbah Kyrshang…. Tell the chief of Nongbnai that I am
delighted to hear about the marriage proposal. I deeply Appreciate his offer. However
before we get back our lost land to the kingdom of Ahoms, my heart cannot rest in peace.

My dear brothers, I am happy to note about our good works. Sent a messenger to our
neighbours that we are grateful to their kindness.

Council1: Sir with utmost pleasure, I will inform your good tidings to all our neighbours.

Council2: However, there is bad news with our land near the plains of Assam. As you
know, last month the Ahoms stopped us from entering our own land in the plains.
(Sad and serious music is played)

Tirot: Didn’t the British agree to our demands?

Lyngdoh1: Yes Sir, the British under Mr. David Scot had made an agreement with us that
they will give back our land in in return for the permission for the road project.

Lyngdoh2: What Road Project?

Lyngdoh3: As you all know, The British had gained control over the Brahmaputra valley
after concluding the Treaty of Yandabo in 1826. Between their possessions in Sylhet and
the newly acquired possessions in Lower Assam is our Khasi Land. They want to construct
a road through this area to connect Guwahati with Sylhet. You know the British want this
road to save money and from Malaria.

Lyngdoh1: We have allowed the road to be built and the British promised us to give back
our land in Duars. David Scot himself assured us. So what is the problem?

Lyngdoh2: The British are not going to support us. They have already blocked our
soldiers with guns and ammunitions.
(Tirot Singh walks up and down and thinks while a musical is played in the background)

Tirot Singh: Tomorrow announce to the British, that they have to leave Sylleth. If they
don’t leave this land, we will attack the British garrison in Nongkhlaw. We will start a
guerrilla warfare.

Scene 4
(Background song with dances on two sides, in the center the depiction of warfare
A war scene is shown, Tirot Singh bravely fights and kills two British Soldiers…
Sad Music…. A guerrilla war fare is enacted.)

Tirot Singh, The Legend 5

Grand Ma: When Balaram Singh, Raja of Ranee, disputed Tirot Sing's claims to the duars,
he went with a party of armed men in December 1828 to establish his claim. At the end,
the British did not keep his promised… So Tirot Singh has no other choice left but to fight.

Grand Pa: Tirot Sing convened a Durbar again and passed orders for the British to
evacuate Nongkhlaw. The British did not pay any heed, and the Khasis attacked the British
garrison in Nongkhlaw on 4 April 1829.

Grandchild1: Dear Mei-ieid, the British were very powerful because they had guns. Did
Tirot Singh die in the War?
Grand Ma: Indeed, the British was very powerful. However Tirot Singh had already
become a Hero and Legend. It was believed he cannot die at the hands of man.
Grand pa: Our people lacked firearms and had only swords, shields, bows and arrows at
that time. They were untrained in the British type of warfare and soon found that it was
impossible to engage in open battle against an enemy who could kill from a distance.
Therefore, they resorted to guerrilla activity.
Grand Ma: Tirot Singh and his companions would wait in the forest and would attack the
British at opportune time. The guerrilla warfare went on for 4 years. The British were angry
and very tired.

(Towards the end of the music, Tirot Singh is seen behind bars...)
Grand Pa: Greed is what led to the capture of Tirot Singh. Some of our people got greedy
and the British were able to bribe his own friends and he was captured. The location of his
hiding place was bribed with gold coins by the British.

Grand Ma: You can capture the body of a brave person however You cannot imprison him.
The British even offered Tirot Singh of titles under British rule but his spirit couldn’t be
subdued. He was a free man within. He was indeed free. What is freedom?...

(The final scene is the final speech given by Tirot Singh…)

My Fellow Brothers and sisters

“It is better to die an independent king than reign as the vassal". “Return home and tell them that U
TIROT SINGH lived and died a king.” If my face turns eastward as I die, we shall be free. If it turns
westward, we shall be enslave forever.” …...I am free.

(Smokes erupts and the scene shows an Immortalized Tirot Singh with transfigured
dress...final music and dance:
(Tirot Singh Tirot Singh...Tirot Singh…..
He was a righteous man, He was brave man… All he did… was to save his people.
He laid down his life, in showing us a way...
For a better world; to live.)

Tirot Singh, The Legend 6