Chaolung Sukapha, the founder of Ahom kingdom, was recently referred to as a “Chinese invader”. The name-calling broke media as it showed the illiteracy of knowing his/her own history and culture. To know of Chaolung Sukapha is the least we can do to pay a tribute.
This 13th-century ruler founded the Ahom kingdom that went on to reign over Assam for six centuries.
The contemporary scholars have traced his roots which evidentially belong to Myanmar. He is also widely referred to as the architect of Assam that is recalled as “Bor Asom” or “Greater Assam”. This shows the gratitude given by the indigenous people towards his successful efforts to assimilate so many different communities and tribes that make today a dignified society.
As the state today is fighting with floods, it is the best time to commemorate Sukapha and his rule, which Assam celebrates as “Asom Divas” on the 2nd of December every year.
The Ahom Kingdom ruled from 1228 to 1824. In the 13th century, the Ahoms migrated from the regions of present-day Myanmar to the Brahmaputra valley.
In 1253, this tributary ruler established his capital at Charaidau, Assam. They recognized new states by suppressing the older political systems of the landlords locally called as Bhuiyas. The same was done in 1523 by conquering one of the powerful kingdoms of those times, the Chhutiyas and in 1581 the Koch-Hajo. By the 16th century, Sukapha had subjugated different tribes into their community.
These unpopular kingdoms faced many invasions from the south-western areas of the Indian subcontinent on a repetitive basis and remained under as shackles as they were finally defeated by the Mughals in 1662.
The Burmese invasion of Assam ended the dynasty of this kingdom and later the subsequent annexation was done by the British East India Company which followed the Treaty of Yandaboo in 1826.
The Administration of Ahom society was then divided into clans or khels. A khel in turn was often in control of several villages. A census was done and the people were transferred from the more populated to the less populated areas.
By the beginning of the 17th century, the administration transformed into almost a centralised version.
The administration involved labourers called ‘paiks’, system of forced labour prevalent in the Ahom kingdoms, who in the name of economic structure were sent and received from each village by rotation.
The Men of the kingdoms were mostly involved in agriculture, construction of dams and other similar public works. During the times of wars, the men also served in the armies. There were also employed in different home manufacturers and cottage industries.
Inclusive of this, the State impressively saw flourishment as the agriculture thrived. It saw many new methods of rice cultivation which were developed by the Ahoms.
The Culture of the Ahoms was originally the worshipping of their tribal gods. But gradually with other developments, Hinduism became a predominant religion during the mid-eighteenth century due to the rule of Hindu kings. However, the entire community of the Ahoms did not adopt Hinduism completely.
Various arts and literature also had a separate culture in the Ahom kingdoms. The Poets and Scholars were specifically given land grants on their valuable performances. Theatre was encouraged thoroughly as well.
The translation works carried out from Sanskrit into the local languages with time. It involved the historical works, known as Buranjis, to be written and converted into first the Ahom language and then in Assamese language.
The technology in the Ahom Kingdoms as the usages of firearms suggest even in the 1530s reflect advancement. The kingdom began to make gunpowder and cannons by 1660s.
The kingdom may not be highlighted by bright colors but their reflection is very well noticed in the developments of the State and importantly, the country as a whole. To be giving them terms without proper knowledge only reflects signs of disrespect towards our own country.
Eduindex News 