Sukhrungphaa

Sukhrungphaaor SwargadeoRudra Singha(c. 1665– 27 August 1714) was the 30thAhom king,reigning from 1696 to 1714 A.D. His fatherGadadhar SinghafreedAssamfrom theMughaldisturbances and internal conspiracies, thereby Rudra Singha inherited a stable state and government and had the advantage of the solid foundations laid by his father. He devoted his time to transform Assam into a first-rate power inIndia.He stopped the persecution of theNeo-Vaisnavasect and built temples, several public works, and patronized art, literature, and culture. Rudra Singha is also famed for being the real father of Ahom architecture.He giving up the isolationist policy of his predecessors forged diplomatic ties with various states of that time and established extensive trade withBengal.

Rudra Singha Sukhrungphaa
Swargadeo Chaopha Saumeswara
Rudra Singha receiving the homage of the Dimasa and Jayantia kings in his court.
30th King of Ahom Kingdom
Reign	1696 CE to 1714 CE
Predecessor	Supatphaa
Successor	Sutanphaa
Born	c.1665
Died	27 August 1714 (aged 49 years) North Guwahati,Ahom kingdom(present-dayAssam,India)
Spouse	Daughters of Sandikoi Borphukan Daughter of Pani Phukan Daughters of Borgohain
Issue	Siva Singha Pramatta Singha Mohanmala Gohain Rajeswar Singha Lakshmi Singha
Names Sri Swarganarayandeva Rudra Singha Nripati
House	Tungkhungia
Dynasty	Ahom dynasty
Father	Gadadhar Singha
Mother	Joymoti Konwari
Religion	Hinduism

He remodeled the administrative structure andarmyand carried on aggressive warfare upon the neighboring chiefdoms and countries, theJaintiasandDimasassubmitted and became vassals. Rudra Singha strengthened by various factors built a coalition of rulers in the region and raised a vast composite army against theMughal Empire.He died on the eve of his march west fromGuwahati,he was succeeded by his eldest son,Siva Singha.

He is considered as the most illustrious of theAhomkings, under whom the kingdom reached its zenith of power and glory. During Rudra Singha's reign, the Ahom nobility was far better organized than ever and stood behind the king representing the cherished feudal values and aspirations.

Military campaigns

Expedition of Dimasa Kingdom

Ahoms had long considered theDimasasas their vassals. The Dimasa Kings became reluctant to accept thethapita-sanchitastatus; to recognize Ahom hegemony. When the Dimasa King Tamadhwaj boldly asserted his independence and claimed territory up to Mahang in a letter sent in 1704–05, this greatly infuriated the Ahom King.Ahomson the other side launched an offensive. In December 1706, an expedition was launched in two divisions simultaneously; one under Dihingia DekaBorbaruawith 37,000 men was to proceed through theDhansiriroute and another one under Pani Phukan with 34,000 men through the Kapili route. The Ahom strategy was to attack from two sides so they could not concentrate their force on any one direction.Rudra Singha personally supervised the whole expedition at the headquarters,Biswanath.

March

Dihingia DekaBorbarua,in order to maintain communications and facilitate the transmission of supplies, forts were constructed and garrisoned on the route. In between the neighboringNagascaused frequent plunder of the Ahom supply convoys.MiriArchers were effectively deployed at various forts to stop the Naga menace. The Babaura's men at Namira

Ahom expedition of Dimasa Kingdom
Location Assam Result Ahom victory Dimasa king accepts Ahom overlordship. Territorial changes Territory up to Jamuna river ceded to Ahoms
Commanders and leaders
Rudra Singha Dihingia DekaBorbarua Pani Phukan	Tamardhwaj Narayan
Units involved
Ahom kingdom	Dimasa kingdom
Strength
Total:71,000 Bobarua's army: 37,000 Paniphukan's army: 31,000	Unknown but much smaller

fort defeated the defenders and made them flee. Between Dijoa and Lenguria theNagasjoined the Dimasa's and killed a large number of Ahom rice-porters. Additional reinforcement was sent for the safeguard of food provisions and for strengthening the captured forts.

The Borbaura's force advanced with fresh vigor. From Lathee the Dimasas fled to Tarang and thence Hajo-Lalung fort. They fled after an encounter and the Borbaura's force occupied the empty fort. TheBorbaruathen advanced pursuing the enemies toMaibangand occupied the fort in mid-February 1707. AtMaibangconsiderable war spoils were gained.

The Pani Phukan's route lay throughRaha,Salgaon, Lambur, Dharmapur, Demera, and Nadereng toMaibang.As there was no regular road the army had to cut its way through dense jungle. A garrison of 3,000 men was left at Demera which was occupied; other places were sacked, and 322 prisoners were taken. Meanwhile, the Pani Phukan came to know about the occupation of Maibang by the Barbarua and informed the king about the latter. The superior strength of the Ahom army overawed the Kacharis who could not repel the invasion. After the occupation ofMaibangthe king ordered further advance up toKhaspurto arrest the Dimasa king. But atMaibangthe troops suffered greatly because of the pestilential climate and many including theBorbaruafell ill. Supplies ran short. Inaction in place of vigor seized the camp. ThePani Phukanand other commanders were sent orders to march up to Khaspur, but could not march further as there was a shortage of supplies and many soldiers had died. The remaining soldiers too, were suffering from the pestilential climate of Maibang. But still, accordingly, a contingent was sent to Khaspur and encamped at Mai-Lang-Dam. From there three messengers were sent to the Dimasa raja to submit to the Ahom king.

Ahom cavalry men armed with bows and spears.

On the other hand, the king ordered to bring the Borbaura along with the sick soldiers to Demera, theBorbarua,now seriously ill, died during the return journey to Demeraat Kelemu camp. At this point, Rudra Singha decided upon to abandon the expedition and ordered the army to return.

Return

In March 1707 the king recalled thePani Phukanwho brought back the whole force after demolishing the brick fort atMaibang,burning down houses there and erecting a thirteen feet high pillar to commemorate his success. Fortifications were made at Demera where a strong garrison was left, which had to be withdrawn by the king owing to sickness and mortality with the setting in of the rains. Terrified by the advancing Ahom armies, Tamradhvaj fled to Bikrampur and sent an urgent appeal for help to Ram Singh,King of Jaintia Kingdom.

Expedition of Jaintia Kingdom

Tamradhwaj fled to Bikrampur and sent an urgent appeal for help to Ram Singh, King of Jaintia, on the wit

Ahom expedition of Jaintia kingdom
Location Assam Bangladesh Result Inconclusive Jaintias accept Ahom vassalship and agrees to pay annual tribute
Belligerents
Ahom Kingdom	Jaintia Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
Surath SinghaBorbarua PatarBorphukan	Ram Singh
Strength
Total:44,000	Unknown but much smaller

hdrawal of the Ahom forces, he sent a second message to Ram Singh, saying that help was not necessary. Ram Singh now decided to take advantage of the dispersal of the Dimasa troops by the Ahoms, hatched a treacherous plan to seize the person of the Dimasa king with a view to gaining possession and control of the Dimasa kingdom; under the pretext of a friendly meeting, he seized Tamradhwaj along with his wife and carried him off to the Jaintia capital,Jaintipur.

The Kachari queen still in captivity, managed to send a message to Rudra Singha through a 'Bairagi', asking for forgiveness and begging for deliverance from his captor. Rudra Singh sent word to Ram Singh through - the Ahom officer in charge of the Ahom outpost at Jagi, demanding the immediate release of Tamradhvaj. Ram Singh refused, and Rudra Singh closed the market at Gobha on which the hill Jaintias depended for their supplies. Rudra Singha made preparations for the invasion of Jaintia territory. He established his headquarters at Misa for the expedition. He sent two divisions of the army, one under theBorbaruaand the other under theBorphukan.

March

In December 1707, Surath SinghaBorbaruawith a force of 43,000 men and number of commanders, was to march towards Jaintiapur via the Kopili valley and the Dimasa countryAnd the other division under theBorphukanadvanced from the Barkharoi camp by the Gobha route, he was accompanied by the king ofDarrangand thePhukanunder the Buragohain, aDaflaand aMiricontingent and two Deodhai pandits accompanied him. The Solal Gohain, Duwalia Phukan, and the Duwalia Rajkhowas were stationed at Gobha for the supply of provisions.

Dimasa kingTamardhwaj and theJaintia KingRam Singh paying their homage to Rudra Singha.

TheBorbaruareached Sampai easily and here a Dimasa deputation assured that nothing was to be feared from the neighboringNaga tribes.He proceeded to Bikrampur and during his march, he sent messengers in advance to reassure the people who came and paid their respects and were glad that the forces needed no supplies of provisions from them. TheBorbaruadesisted his soldiers from ravaging Dimasa villages, assured the latter, and offered presents to help them against the Jaintias.

After the Ahom force reached Mulagul, Ram Singh was called upon to surrender Tamradhwaj and his family and officers. Envoys were sent toNawab of Sylhetinforming the purpose of the mission and reiterating friendship.

Ram Singh prepared for a fight, but the nobles who tried to dissuade him from his present adventure would not allow him to escape scot-free. He therefore proceeded towards the Borbarua camp for making his submission, escorted by twenty elephants. Near the camp, he was made to dismount and ride on horseback, unattended. After the interview, he was not allowed to return but was made a captive by the Borbarua. TheBorphukanreached Gobha on 20 January 1708,and conciliated the Chiefs ofGobhaby presents. His forces on the march were harassed by theGarosat several places. The Garos attacked his men, while they were clearing routes. However, they were dispersed with guns and arrows. His route from Jagi lay through Gobha, Athitbhaga Lachor Hill, Buritikar Hill, the Barpani River banks, and Pavanai toJaintipur.In certain engagements, the Jaintias fared well but were ultimately worsted by the Ahoms who had the advantage of superior numbers and strength and reinforcements at crucial moments. In another fierce battle, the Ahoms killed a number of Jayantia commanders and captured 12 of them along with 20 soldiers and 20 elephants.

After this battle, the Jaintia king was compelled to surrender the Dimasa king along with all his associates toBorbaruaon 11 February 1708. After that both theBorbaruaandBorphukanresumed their march towards the Jaintia king, then the Jaintia king along with his son submitted to Borbarua.

Annexation of Jaintia and Dimasa territories

Rudra Singha ordered the captive kings to be brought to him along with the Jaintia King's garments, jewels, arms, elephants, and horses and the Jaintia king's treasures to be divided among the troops. The Ahom subjects who had fled to Khaspur duringMir Jumla IIinvasion were brought back and an army of occupation under theBorbaruaand theBorphukanwas stationed at Jaintiapur. Envoys were sent to the Muhammadan Faujdar ofSylhetto announce that the Kachari and Jaintia kingdoms had been annexed to the Ahom dominions.Both the captive kings were presented before the Ahom king, and made to take the oath of allegiance to him.

Expulsion and return

These measures greatly irritated the Jaintia nobles who induced the Bar Dalai, the Raja of Khairam, and the inhabitants of two hundred independentKhasivillages to join them in expelling the invaders. The Jaintias could not rescue their Raja as he was being taken to Gobha by a strong force, but they attacked eight forts with garrisons left by theBorphukanand took three of them. A detachment that was taking the copper image of the Goddess Jaintesvari to Rudra Singha was put to flight and the image was rescued. The Ahom soldiers seized with panic, fled, and were pursued by the Jaintias. Rudra Singh sent up reinforcements including four thousand men under theBurhagohain.The Jaintia strategy of dispersing when attacked and of returning to the attack themselves thereafter made decisive victory impossible for the Ahoms. The Borbarua andBorphukansent reinforcements fromJaintipur,no doubt, but with the approach of the rains, it was thought unwise and dangerous to remain in hostile territory, and retreat to Gobha was decided upon. Before departing, the Ahoms put to the sword a thousand inhabitants ofJaintipurand destroyed surrounding villages.

Foils and casualties of the campaign

For the ultimate failure of the expedition, Rudra Singha thought of punishing the Borbarua and the Barphukan but pardoned them on the intercession of other nobles. Rudra Singha severely punished those commanders who expressed unwillingness to march forward against the Jaintias.

In the course of the Jaintia rising, the Ahoms lost 2,366 men including 12 high-ranking officers. About 1,600 persons, chieflyAssameserefugees were brought from Khaspur and 600 fromJaintipur.During the expedition, 3 cannons, 2,273 guns, 109 elephants, 12,000 pieces of silver from the Muhammadaman,Ahom,Koch,and Jaintia mints, and numerous utensils of gold, silver, and other metals were taken. Certain articles of jewelry misappropriated by some officers had to be disgorged by them on detection.

Second & third Jaintia expeditions

Meanwhile, the Jaintia King Ram Singh, who is still in Ahom captivity died on August 1708. Later that month, Rudra Singha despatched Ram Singh's son, Barkonwar (crown-prince) to be sent toJaintia,but as a pre-requisite, he insisted on the personal attendance and submission of the Jaintia nobles but the latter refrained. Rudra Singha lost his patience and launched another expedition toJaintia Kingdom,by dispatching two divisions along the routes of Gobha andKopili.The Ahoms advanced by devastating several villages and acquiringbooty.On this scene the Barkonwar appeared, pleading to stop the depredations and assuring the submission of his nobles. At long last two years, Rudra Singha agreed to come on terms and declared Barkonwar king ofJaintiaasthapita-sanchitavassal and the latter acknowledged the overlordship of Ahoms and agreed to pay tributes. But later on, the Barkonwar refrained from accepting Ahom vassalship and refused to pay tribute, leading Rudra Singha to undertake a third expedition. Barkonwar was defeated and was imprisoned for 14 years and an economic blockade was imposed on the Jaintias.

Proposed invasion of Bengal

HistorianSurya Kumar Bhuyansought to explain the objectives of this proposed invasion ofBengalby the following points– i) Rudra Singha was informed of the plight to which Hindus had been rendered; ii) He himself was humiliated byMurshid Quli Khanwho sent to him robes as presents which were meant for the vassal chiefs;iii) Assamese pilgrims also received obstruction from the Mughal officers in their visits to the Hindu shrines in India, specifically in connection with the pilgrimages to theGanges.

He then began to make elaborate preparations for a fresh war againstMughalswith two ends in view namely, to oust them from their sovereign power in eastern India and to expand their territory to the Ahom kingdom as far as theKaratoya riverto the west. In a general meeting conveyed inRangpurin 1713, Rudra Singha expressed his intention of invading "the territories lying between the boundaries ofDaccaandRangajara",to recapture the territories under the possession of his predecessors.

He carefully thought of his plan to create an opinion among the HinduRajasoutside Assam and also attempted to organize a confederacy of the Rajas of Hindustan and sent messages to several Rajas and Zamindars, this includedTwipra(and Morang, Bana-Vishnupur, Nadiya, Cooch Behar, Burdwan, and Barahanagar) kingdoms to remove theMughalsfromBengal.He appealed to their religious sentiments, which is evident from the letters sent to the king of TripuraRatna Manikya II,where he wrote:

This has become very widely current among the people that owing to the hostile actions of theMughals,the religion as inculcated in the Vedas does not get any protection. For this, if it appears to you to be the right thing to put a stop to this situation by some action, then please write to me in detail about your strength and aptitude after discussing with the big personage with whom you have friendship...

Thus he took the initiative to form a Hindu union against the Mughals.

The subjugatedJaintiasandDimasa.promised to render military assistance, some rulers of India like the rulers ofAmberandCooch Beharalso assured assistance upon the scheme of Rudra Singha.

Rudra Singha then augmented his army, his artillery, and his navy. The local levies were trained on up-to-date lines. He raised numerous cavalry and trained the elephants to withstand fights. During these preparations, he adopted measures to obtain the goodwill of the inhabitants of Bengal in order to render his supremacy acceptable to them.He then advanced towardsGuwahatiand mobilized an army composed of four lakhs men with all cannons available. But the sudden death of the monarch on 27 August 1714, accounted for nothing and this project was given by the successor kingSiva Singha.

Hindu proclivities

Rudra Singha reversed the persecution of theSatrasas advised byGadadhar Singhain his death-bed, and reinstated the satra preceptors, including Chaturbhujdeva thesatradhikarof Mayamara Satra, in their former seats.He received the initiation from the Auniati Satra, Haridev, who was the most influential Brahmana Satradhikar. However, he soon created dissension in the Vaisnava camp by promulgating a synod, which debarred the Shudra Mahantas from initiating Brahmins, and which was completely against the principles of creed propagated bySankardeva.

Rudra Singha during his reign recognized the fourSatras:Auniati,Dakhinpat,Garamur, and Kuruabahi asRajasatra,bestowed preferential treatments and seniority.

Inclination towards Shaktism

Later in his life he inclined towardsShaktismand thought of becoming an orthodoxHindu,and invited Krishnaram Bhattacharya NyayavagishfromNabadwip,Bengalto take him as his religious guide, and desired to take his initiation after having promised to give the management ofKamakhya Temple.But sent him back him back after his arrival, Krishnaram Bhattacharya went back with a fury, when several earthquakes occurred, noticing Rudra Singha thought of him as a favorite of God, re-called Krishnaram, but died before he could arrive. But, he on his death-bed injunction advised his sons to take his initiation.

Patronage of cultural activities

Rudra Singha's Lepeta Kata copper inscription.

Since the days ofSudangphaa,Sanskritisationor Indianization of the gained momentum and reached its peak during the regime of Rudra Singha andSiva Singha.

Rudra Singha, being helped by the material conditions of the time, acted more vigorously in line with his tradition. Now, in order to consolidate the Ahom monarchy in the force of growing feudal forces leading the Neo-Vaishnavite movement, Rudra Singha had to look up to friends among feudal rulers elsewhere in India and to secure a place of confederacy them, thereby integrating the Ahom ruling class with the Indian ruling classes, including the Mughals.

Rajmohuree of Rudra Singha,( issue dateSaka1619= 1697 CE)

Ghanashyam House

He introduced Mughal dress to Ahom court and sent Brahman boys to study at great centers of learning in Bengal and Bihar. He did not fail to patronize local art and culture. He encouraged the culture of local folk music and dance and for this, he appointed officers like Gayan Barua. It is said that it was he,who for the first time had theBihucelebrated in the palace courtyard and organised varied performances for full seven days including competitions of many kinds or sports and games and cultural showsFor the promotion of sports and games he created offices like those of Sen-Chowa Barua, who was in charge of training of hawks and Kukura-Chowa Barua, in charge of training of cocks. Rudra Singha had created a new clan called khound consisting of some selected Sanyasis, for the duty of immersion of the ashes of the kings in the Ganges, they were employed as spies.

There were numbers of poets and scholars in his court. Of them the most notable was Kabiraj Chakravarty, who composed the famous drama Sankha-Chura-Bandha, and had translated the Abhiyana Sukuntalam and the Brahma-Vaivrata Purana intoAssamese.He encouraged exchanges with other kingdoms and sent ambassadors to other royal houses in various parts of India. He createdkhelsor official positions specifically for diplomacy, likeKhaund, Kotoki, Bairagi, Doloi, Kakoti.He sent men to Delhi to learn music and Brahman boys toGurukulsfor Vedic and Sanskrit studies. He brought architects from outside for constructing the palace and other buildings in the new capital city,Rangpur.He introduced Mughal style dresses in the Ahom court.

Civil works

• In honour of the memory of his motherJoymoti Konwari,he dug theJoysagar Tank,India's largest man-made tank covering an area of 318 acres (1.29 km²), including its four banks.

  

  Joysagar Lake in Sibsagar

• In 1703, he built theRangnath Dolnear the Borduar, or main gateway, on the way from the Joysagar Tank to the Talatal Ghar - for the offering of prayers to Shiva.
• Before theRanganath Dol,a pyramid-shaped temple named Fakuwa Dol was constructed in 1703–04, for the celebration of Holi
• Numerous other architectural monuments and structures are credited to him, including theNamdang stone bridgeof Gaurisagar, and the Kharikatia Ali (alimeaning road inAssamese) - leading from Kharikatia to Titabor. The Namdang bridge, a stone bridge 60m long, 6.5m wide, and 1.7m thick was built over theNamdang Riverin 1703. It is one of the best examples of the engineering workmanship and skill of the Ahom era. This bridge, on National Highway no.37, has been proudly providing service for the last 300 years.

Death

Rudra Singha was seized with an dangerous illness during his stay at Guwahati camp. He died after eight days of his first attack of illness on 27 August 1714. From his death bed he injuncted, that all of his five sons should become kings in a consecutive manner.

Character and legacy

The most striking events of his reign, which extended over seventeen eventful years, were the war against theKachariandJaintiakings. Although illiterate, Rudra Singha was possessed with of retentive memory and of exceptional intelligence. He is regarded as the greatest Ahom King. It is also said that he received the submission of all the tribes, and to have established extensive trade withTibet,abandoning the policy of isolation of his predecessor to some extent, he encouraged intercourse between the different countries and sent envoys to them ofIndia.He studied foreign customs and adopted those he thought were good. He imported many artificers from Bengal, and also established many schools for Brahmans.

Issues and descendants

• Rudra Singha
  • Siva Singha
    • Ugra Singha Tipam Raja
  • Pramatta Singha
    • Molou Gohain Tipam Raja
    • Madhab Gohain Charing Raja
      • Kana Gohain
        • Bano Gohain
  • Barjana Gohian aliasMohanmala Gohain
    • Nal Santa
      • Lerilla Santa
      • Molia Santa
  • Rajeswar Singha
    • Ratneswar
      • Bijoy Bormura
        • Brajanath Gohain
          • Purandar Singha
  • Lakshmi Singha
    • Gaurinath Singha
      • Jayanti Aideo
        • Narayani Aideo

See also

• Ahom Dynasty
• Joy dol

Bibiolography

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• Baruah, S.L. (1985),A Comprehensive History of Assam,Munshiram Manoharlal
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• Baruah, S. L. (1993),Last Days of Ahom Monarchy,New Delhi{{citation}}:CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
• Gait, Sir Edward (1906) (1906).A History of Assam.Gauhati University: LBS Publications.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
• Gogoi, Khagen (2017).Ahom warfare evolution nature and strategy.Gauhati University.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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