The recent controversy surrounding Chaolung Sukapha, the founder of the Ahom kingdom in Assam, has sparked a debate in the backdrop of India-China border tension. Being mistakenly referred to as a Chinese invader, there seems to be a misunderstanding about his true origin and contribution to the history of Assam.
Chaolung Sukapha: The Founder of Ahom Kingdom
Hailing from the 13th century, Chaolung Sukapha established the Ahom kingdom which ruled Assam for six long centuries. It was only after the signing of the Treaty of Yandaboo in 1826 that the province was annexed to British India, marking the end of Ahom rule. According to records by Sir Edward Gait in ‘A History of Assam’, Sukapha departed from Maulung (modern-day Myanmar) in 1215 AD, accompanied by eight nobles and their followers. After a long journey, they anchored in the Brahmaputra valley and established their first small principality in Charaideo, upper Assam, in 1235 AD. This marked the starting point of the Ahom kingdom’s expansion.
The Ahom Society
The Ahoms brought forth a new state by overpowering the earlier bhuiyans (landlords) political system. Their governance heavily relied upon forced labour, referred to as paiks. They divided the Ahom society into clans or khels, where each khel would control several villages. Despite having their own tribal gods, the Ahoms didn’t impose their language, religion, or rituals on the people of Assam. Instead, they embraced Hinduism and the Assamese language. However, they did not entirely abandon their traditional beliefs post their conversion to Hinduism.
The Ahom society was recognized for its sophistication. Poets and scholars were given land grants, theatre culture was promoted, and significant Sanskrit works were translated into the local language. Furthermore, historical records, known as buranjis, were maintained first in the Ahom language and later in Assamese.
Mixing with Local Communities
Most of Sukapha’s followers were men who married women from different communities residing in Assam. This practice of intermarriage propelled the process of assimilation among diverse groups.
The Significance of Sukapha’s Rule
Sukapha played a pivotal role in assimilating various communities and tribes seamlessly. He fostered amicable relationships particularly with the tribal communities of Assam like the Sutias, the Morans, and the Kacharis. Sukapha is often acclaimed as the architect of ‘Bor Asom’ or ‘Greater Assam’ for his efforts in consolidating power, culture, and religion to unite a broad mix of people in a politically sensitive region intersecting South Asia and South-East Asia. To honor Sukapha and his rule, Assam celebrates ‘Asom Divas’ every year on December 2nd.
The Way Forward
As the architect of greater Assam, Chaolung Sukapha laid a strong foundation for a harmonious and vibrant Assam through his policies of unity and harmony. Unfortunately, offensive remarks on social media and distortion of historical facts can create a rift among communities in an ethnically diverse state like Assam. Such actions, which can offend people’s sentiments, should be consciously avoided to maintain peace in the region.
