Detailed Notes
Mangri Orang belonged to a tribal community that had been brought to Assam from central India to work in tea gardens under harsh colonial conditions. Plantation workers faced economic exploitation, social oppression, and widespread addiction due to the deliberate promotion of opium and liquor by colonial authorities. These substances weakened workers physically and mentally, making resistance difficult.
Initially, Mangri Orang herself was affected by these social practices. However, through interaction with Congress volunteers and prohibition activists, she became aware of the harmful effects of liquor consumption and its connection to colonial exploitation. She soon realised that purchasing foreign liquor was not only damaging health but also strengthening British control over Indian society. This awakening marked a turning point in her life.
After giving up liquor completely, Mangri Orang emerged as a fearless leader within the tea garden community. She mobilised women and workers to oppose liquor shops and opium distribution. Her leadership was remarkable because she was neither formally educated nor politically trained. Instead, her activism was driven by lived experience, moral courage, and a strong sense of justice.
In 1921, during the height of the Non-Cooperation Movement, Mangri Orang actively supported Congress-led prohibition campaigns in the Lalmati area of Darrang district, Assam. These movements aimed to boycott British goods and dismantle colonial systems that thrived on social harm. Her participation made her a target of colonial supporters and local enforcers.
Tragically, Mangri Orang was shot dead by colonial police and government-backed forces while resisting the liquor trade. Her death shocked the region and became a powerful symbol of sacrifice. She is officially recognised as Assam's first female martyr in India's freedom struggle, predating many better-known national figures capturing armed resistance.
The significance of Mangri Orang's martyrdom lies not only in her sacrifice but also in what she represented. She stood for the participation of tribal women, tea garden workers, and marginalised communities in the freedom movement. Her story challenges the traditional narrative that independence was achieved only by urban elites or prominent leaders.
Today, Mangri Orang alias Malati Mem is remembered as a symbol of grassroots resistance, moral reform, and female leadership. Her legacy is preserved through historical studies, cultural programmes, and theatrical works that highlight the overlooked contributions of Assam's indigenous communities. For general knowledge learners and competitive exam aspirants, her life represents the intersection of freedom struggle, social reform, and women's empowerment in colonial India.