Guwahati, Dec. 16 -- History often remembers the loudest uprisings, the grand speeches, and the celebrated leaders. Yet, scattered across India's long struggle for freedom are many quieter revolts that rarely find a place in our textbooks. One of these is the Phulaguri Dhawa of 1861, an episode from Assam that deserves far greater recognition than it has received. It was not led by famous national icons nor backed by large political organisations. Instead, it was born from the frustration and courage of ordinary peasants-people whose names history has allowed to fade. But their act of collective defiance marked one of the earliest organised protests against British rule in the northeastern region.

Phulaguri Dhawa took place in the presen...