Semsonsing Ingti (1910-1948) was an Indian social and economic reformer and author. He has been called the Father of the Karbi people, for his work in uniting the Karbi, an indigenous ethnic group in Northeast India concentrated in the state of Assam. He was also called ''Lametpo'' during his heyday."A Tribute to Semsonsing Ingti : Father of Karbi Nationalism"
''Dharamsing Teron'', March 13, 2009

Early life

Semsonsing Ingti was the second child of the late Thengkursing Ingti and Madhobi Ruth Barua. Semsonsing Ingti was educated at Golaghat Mission High School. He matriculated at Bezbaruah High School, where he returned after completing his degree and becoming a teacher. He then studied at Cotton College, Guwahati (now Cotton University) and graduated from

Murari Chand College Murari Chand College ( bn, মুরারিচাঁদ কলেজ) (usually referred to as MC College) was the first college in the Sylhet Division. It was established in 1892, making it the seventh oldest college in Bangladesh. Since then i ...

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in 1933.

Career

He was called ''Lametpo'' for being the first to write a book in Karbi.

Social and economic reformer

Semsonsing Ingti began by visiting inaccessible areas. Others would have chafed at going to such places, but he was determined to reach out and educate everyone in the world. He believed that only education would bring people from backwardness. He battled social taboos common superstitions. For example, women were not allowed to walk beside or in front of their husbands and were forbidden to carry umbrellas, because it was considered disrespectful to their husbands. Although the Karbi people did not believe in the mistreatment of women, the social status of women remains unequal. He spread knowledge on improving

Jhum cultivation Slash-and-burn agriculture is a farming method that involves the cutting and burning of plants in a forest or woodland to create a field called a swidden. The method begins by cutting down the trees and woody plants in an area. The downed veget ...

and asked farmers to live together rather than in small groups, so they could produce higher quantities of their produce. Drinking beer is traditional in Karbi culture, but this was misinterpreted to him. Beer drinking was only for social occasions, but it had become a daily life habit for people at that time. He gave up drinking beer as an example for others.

Works

*Kalakha (table book) *Tomopuru *Bituso *Vopi

Death

The cause of the death of Semsonsing Ingti is not settled. His health had been deteriorating since he began working. His long travel from chilly

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to scorching

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. Walking mostly on foot and through jungle, he was already in financial trouble and could not afford medical care, which ultimately led to his demise. According to his eldest sister, Junaki Sailabala Ingtipi, he had sunstroke while in

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ingti, Semsonsing 1910 births 1948 deaths People from West Karbi Anglong district