Tirot Sing

Tirot Singh, also known as U Tirot Sing Syiem, was one of the chiefs of the Khasi people in the early 19th century. He drew his lineage from the Syiemlieh clan. He was Syiem (king) of Nongkhlaw, part of the Khasi Hills. His surname was Syiemlieh. He was a constitutional head sharing corporate authority with his Council, general representatives of the leading clans within his territory. Tirot Sing declared war and fought against the British for attempts to take over control of the Khasi Hills.

He died on 17 July 1835. His death is commemorated in Meghalaya as U Tirot Sing Day.

Anglo-Khasi War and martyrdom The British had gained control over the Brahmaputra valley after concluding the Treaty of Yandabo in 1826. and the Khasis attacked the British garrison in Nongkhlaw on 4 April 1829. In retaliation, British military operations began against U Tirot Sing and other Khasi chiefs.

In the Anglo-Khasi War, the Khasis lacked firearms and had only swords, shields, bows and arrows. 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, which dragged on for about four years.