Ahom Kings: Key Details and Reigns

A Comprehensive Overview of the Rulers of the Ahom Kingdom

The Rich History of Assam

Assam, India's easternmost sentinel, is a land of enchanting and picturesque natural beauty. The state is adorned with lush green landscapes, a captivating chain of hills, and mighty rivers, primarily the Brahmaputra and the Barak. Since time immemorial, it has been home to various races, tribes, and ethnic groups. The continuous process of synthesis and assimilation among these diverse communities has enriched and glorified Assam's unique identity.

Assam is situated in the North-East of India and is the largest northeastern state in terms of population while second in terms of area. Assam covers an area of 78,438 km2 (30,285 sq miles). The state is bordered by Bhutan and the state of Arunachal Pradesh to the north; Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur to the east; Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, and Bangladesh to the south; and West Bengal to the west. A significant geographical aspect of Assam is that it contains three of six physiographic divisions of India – The Northern Himalayas (Eastern Hills), The Northern Plains (Brahmaputra plain), and Deccan Plateau (Karbi Anglong).

The Origin of the Name "Assam"

The origin of the name "Assam" has various theories. In ancient Sanskrit literature, the names "Pragjyotisha" and "Kamarupa" were commonly used to refer to ancient Assam. Its deep historical roots are evidenced by its mentions in the two great epics, The Mahabharata and The Ramayana, as well as in the Puranas. Regarding Pragjyotisha or Pragjyotishpura, Gait (1992, reprint) explains that "Prag" means 'former' or 'eastern', and "Jyotisha" refers to 'a star, astrology, or shining'. Therefore, Pragjyotishpur can be interpreted as the 'City of Eastern Astrology'.

References to Kamarupa are found extensively in both ancient literature and epigraphical records. The mythology behind the name "Kamarupa" recounts the tale of Sati, who perished due to the disrespect shown to her husband, Shiva, by her father, Daksha. Overwhelmed by grief, Shiva roamed the world carrying Sati's lifeless body. To stop his torment, Vishnu used his discus to dismember the body, with pieces falling in various sacred locations. One such piece fell on the Nilachal hills near Guwahati, consecrating the spot as Kamakhya. However, Shiva's penance continued, prompting the Gods to send Kamdev, the cupid, to break his meditation by inciting love. Kamdev succeeded, but an enraged Shiva incinerated him. Kamdev eventually regained his original form at this very place, leading the region to be known as Kamarupa (where Kama regained his Rupa, or form).

The name "Ahom" or "Asom" was likely bestowed by the Ahoms, who arrived in Assam in 1228 A.D. While its exact etymology remains ambiguous, it is widely believed that the modern name "Assam" itself is an anglicization derived from "Ahom" or "Asom."

The Ahom Dynasty and Subsequent Eras

The Ahoms, upon entering Assam, fully assimilated with the local populace and ruled the region for nearly six hundred years. This period of Ahom rule is considered a glorious chapter in Assam's history. The Ahom dynasty was founded by Sukaphaa, a Shan prince from Mong Mao, who migrated to Assam after traversing the Patkai Mountains. Between the 13th and 19th centuries, several tribal communities also rose to historical prominence in Assam, with the Kacharis, Chutias, and Koch being notable groups during the medieval period. The dynasty's rule concluded with the Burmese invasion of Assam and the subsequent annexation by the British East India Company following the Treaty of Yandaboo in 1826. The British Empire then assumed control of the state, marking the beginning of Assam's colonial era.

Assam's territory underwent significant changes as new states emerged from within its historical borders. The British annexed Cachar in 1832 and the Jaintia Hills in 1835. In 1874, Assam was declared a separate province with Shillong as its capital. With the Partition of India and independence in 1947, the district of Sylhet (excluding the Karimganj subdivision) was ceded to Pakistan (which later became Bangladesh).

Post-Independence Assam and Key Developments

Like all other states of India, Assam actively participated in various freedom movements. With the enthusiastic involvement of many courageous activists, Assam officially became a constituent state of India in 1950. It experienced a further reduction in area when Dewangiri in North Kamrupa was ceded to Bhutan in 1951. The capital of Assam, formerly Shillong (now the capital of Meghalaya), was later shifted to Dispur, a suburb of Guwahati, in 1972. Subsequently, several new states, including Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram, were carved out of Assam.

The history of Assam has evolved through several stages to reach its present form. It can be broadly divided into four distinct eras:

  • The Ancient Era began in the 4th century with the mention of Kamarupa in Samudragupta's inscriptions on the Allahabad pillar and the establishment of the Kamarupa kingdom.
  • The Medieval Era commenced with attacks from the Bengal Sultanate, the first recorded in 1206 by Bakhtiyar Khilji, as noted in the Kanai-boroxiboa rock inscription, following the disintegration of the ancient kingdom and the rise of various medieval kingdoms and chieftainships.
  • The Colonial Era started with the establishment of British control after the Treaty of Yandaboo in 1826.
  • The Post-Colonial Era began in 1947, concurrent with India's independence.

Leadership and Progress in Independent Assam

The first Governor of independent Assam was Sir Muhammad Saleh Akbar Hydari, and its first Chief Minister was Gopinath Bordoloi. During Bordoloi's tenure, significant foundations were laid, including Gauhati University (1948), the Gauhati High Court (1948), and the Guwahati station of All India Radio (AIR). After Gopinath Bordoloi passed away in 1950, Bishnu Ram Medhi assumed the role of Chief Minister. From 1950 to 1957, his tenure saw the launch of the First Five-Year Plan, the introduction of the Panchayat system of governance, and increased focus on the agricultural sector.

Bimla Prasad Chaliha served as the third Chief Minister from 1957 to 1970. In 1958, the 66th session of the Congress was held at Jalukbari, Guwahati. Significant infrastructure projects during his time included the construction of the Saraighat Bridge over the Brahmaputra River in 1965 and the establishment of an oil refinery at Noonmati, Guwahati, in 1962. The notable Assam Language Movement (1959-1960) led to Assamese being declared the official language of the state, while Bengali received the same status in the Cachar District of the Barak Valley.

Mohendra Mohan Choudhury became Chief Minister in 1970. During his tenure, foundations were laid for major industrial projects such as Bongaigaon Petro-Chemicals, a Paper Mill at Jogighopa, and a Jute Factory at Silghat in Nagaon. In 1972, Sarat Chandra Sinha came to power after the Congress secured an absolute majority. Finally, in 1974, the capital of Assam was officially shifted to Dispur in Guwahati.

The Assam Movement and Accord

The Assam Movement (1979-1985) was a widespread public movement against illegal immigrants in Assam. Led by the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) and the All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP), the movement initiated a series of protests and demonstrations. Their primary objective was to compel the Indian government to identify and expel illegal immigrants (primarily from Bangladesh) and to provide constitutional, legislative, and administrative safeguards for the indigenous Assamese people. While the agitation programs were largely non-violent, the Nellie massacre stands out as a tragic instance of extreme violence. The movement concluded in August 1985 with the signing of the Assam Accord by leaders of AASU-AAGSP and the Government of India.

The Assam Accord (1985) was a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) signed in New Delhi on August 15, 1985, between representatives of the Government of India and the leaders of the Assam Movement. This signing brought an end to the six-year-long agitation, which began in 1979 and demanded the identification and deportation of illegal immigrants.