Saga of the martyrs of Meghalaya   

As the nation celebrates its 60th anniversary of Independence from alien rule, it is pertinent to look back at brave deeds of exemplary leaders from the remote Northeastern region of the country who led their people with indomitable courage against the British tyranny.
"Better die an independent king than reign as the vassal". These were the immortal words of resolute of one of the greatest patriots U Tirot Sing Syiem, the Khasi King of Nongkhlaw who took on the might of the British and achieved martyrdom to defend the freedom of his country.
The legendary patriot king raised the battle cry against the aliens on April 4, 1829 by spear-heading an attack on the British Garrison at Nongkhlaw and inflicting major casualties. This marked the beginning of a bitter four-year-long conflict between the uncompromising Khasi soldiers under the leadership of Tirot Sing and the British culminating in his martyrdom in captivity at Dacca on July 17, 1835.
The second uprising in Ri Hynniewtrep (Khasi nation) began from December 28, 1861 under the leadership of the legendary U Kiang Nongbah of the Jaintia Hills who waged a war with the British after the aliens desecrated an indigenous religious ceremony at Ialong. Besides this, the imposition of taxes by the British created turmoil amongst the Jaintias and they rose in a fierce rebellion in 1862.
The leader and guiding spirit in this rebellion was a young man, U Kiang Nongbah. He was extremely shrewd and a great organiser and managed to hoodwink the British Intelligence Service. Yet, ultimately he was defeated because of the superior might of the British.
In the unequal fight that ensued, hundreds of Jaintias were killed and U Kiang Nongbah was betrayed, captured and hanged publicly to strike terror into the hearts of the Jaintias on December 30, 1862. When he was put to the gallows, he said, in a clear voice: "If my face turns eastward when I die on the rope, we shall be free again within a hundred years. If it turns westwards, we shall be enslaved forever."
His prophecy came true, as India became free within a hundred years!
After having subjugated the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, the British wanted to establish their hegemony in the Garo Hills. In December 1872, the British sent out battalions to Garo Hills to establish their control in the region.
The attack was conducted from three sides – south, east and west. The Garo warriors confronted them at Rongrenggiri with their spears, swords and shields. The battle that ensued was unmatched, as the Garos did not have guns or mortars like the British Army.
Togan Sangma, a young man was in command of the valiant Garo warriors. He fell fighting with unmatched heroism and courage in December 1872.
Pa Togan Sangma is immortalised at the martyr's column in Shillong, where his name is enshrined along with U Tirot Sing and U Kiang Nongbah

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