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Harshavardhan (606-648 AD) was a contemporary of
Bhaskar Varman. Harshavardan honoured Bhaskar Varman
at a conference held at Kanauj. The dynasty of the Varman
kings ended with Bhaskar Varman (650 AD).
The
Salasthambha dynasty was the next in the line which
began with the reign of a chieftain called Salastambha.
Among all the kings of the Salastambha dynasty, it was
Shri Harshadeva (725-750 AD) who acquitted himself as
a good king. After the last king of this dynasty, Tyaga
Singha (970-990), it was Brahmapala (990-1010 AD), who
opened the door to a new dynasty - the Pala dynasty.
Jayapala (1120-1138 AD) was the last ruler of this dynasty.
The
first Mohammedan invasion (1206 &1226 AD) of Kamrupa
took place during the reign of a king called Prithu
who was killed in a battle with Illtutmish's son Nassiruddin
in 1228. During the second invasion by Ikhtiyaruddin
Yuzbak or Tughril Khan, about 1257 AD, the king of Kamrupa
Saindhya (1250-1270AD) transferred the capital 'Kamrup
Nagar' to Kamatapur in the west. From then onwards,
Kamata's ruler was called Kamateshwar. During the last
part of 14th century, Arimatta was the ruler of Gaur
(the northern region of former Kamatapur) who had his
capital at Vaidyagar. And after the invasion of the
Mughals in the 15th century many Muslims settled in
this State and can be said to be the first Muslim settlers
of this region.
Chutia
Kingdom
During the early part of the 13th century, when the
Ahoms established their rule over Assam with the capital
at Sibsagar, the Sovansiri area and the area by the
banks of the Disang river were under the control
of the Chutias. According to popular Chutia legend,
Chutia king Birpal established his rule at Sadia in
1189 AD. He was succeeded by ten kings of whom the eighth
king Dhirnarayan or Dharmadhwajpal, in his old age,
handed over his kingdom to his son-in-law Nitai or Nityapal.
Later on Nityapal's incompetent rule gave a wonderful
chance to the Ahom king Suhungmung or Dihingia Raja,
who annexed it to the Ahom kingdom.
Barobhuyans
The Bhuyans were petty chief who had their principalities
towards the east of Kamrup-Kamata area. The title 'Baro'
is a title of honour given to twelve chieftains who,
even though were not kings, established kingdoms which
were small on the basis of their strength. They took
up arms against the Ahoms also, but it was the Ahom
king Pratap Singha who crushed the rebellion of the
Baro Bhuyans.
Koch
Kingdom
Bishwa Singha (1515-1540) laid the foundation of the
Koch dominion over Kamata kingdom in the early part
of the 16th century and established his capital in Cooch-Bihar.
He was succeeded by his son Malladeva who took the name
Naranarayana. His brother Sukladhvaj became his commander-in-chief.
He was also called 'Chilarai' or 'Kite
King' because of his ability to attack the enemy
like a Chila (hawk or Kite). Naranarayan's rule was
the most glorious epoch of Koch kingdom. It was during
his reign that the Ahoms suffered defeat in 1562. Chilarai
also annexed the Kachari kingdom, Manipur, Tripura,
Jayantia and Srihatta and extended its boundaries. Then
again there was a battle with the Nawab of Gour. During
that time Chilarai was attacked by small-pox and died
on the banks of the Gangas.
Naranarayan
died in 1584 after a reign of nearly fifty years (1540-1584).
During his rule, the power of the Koch kings reached
its zenith. Naranarayan's rule is remarkable, for it
was during his reign that the Assamese literature and
culture flourished, which was inaugurated by Srimanta
Sankardeva. After the death of Naranarayan, the Koch
kingdom was not able to retain its glory. Consequently
the Afghans and the Mughals took advantage and
in 1615, the Koch kingdom was annexed to the Mughal
Empire.
Kachari
Kingdom
The early part of the 13th century
saw the rise of the Kachari kingdom, one of the ancient
races of Assam. The powerful kings of the Kachari Kingdom
were Jashanarayan, Pratapnarayan, Jamradwaj and Govindchandra.
The Kacharis claim descent from Ghatotkacha, the son
of Bhima. Towards the end of the 15th century the Kacharis
had to surrender their capital Hidimbapur (now Dimapur)
and the areas adjoining it to the Ahoms.
The
third and the final invasion of the Kachari kingdom
took place in 1803, when their king Krishna Chandra
refused to send back the Moamarias to the Ahom king.
The last king of the Kachari kingdom was Gobind Chandra
(1813-1830).
Jayantia
Kingdom
Jayantia was a matriarchal race which had established
their kingdom in and around Jayantia hills. Dhanamanik
and Jashamanik were the powerful kings of the Jayantia
Kingdom. They forged matrimonial relations with the
Ahoms and fought alongside during the invasion of the
Mughals. One of their rulers, Jashomatta Rai was the
contemporary of the Ahom king Nariya Raja (1644-1648).
He claimed back the possession of Dimoria, Gobha, Nellie
and Khola principalities which led to the souring of
the relations between the Jayantias and Ahoms. Bijaynarayan
was the last Jayantia ruler after whom the kingdom passed
into the hands of the British along with the Ahom kingdom.
Ahom
Rule
The 13th century witnessed the advent of the Ahoms,
led by their first king Sukafa who was the
prince of Monlung of Upper Burma (now Myanmar). In the
early 13th century he together with a band of followers settled
in the Patkai mountains. In 1228 he entered the boundaries
of Assam through the Naga Kingdom. He formed his capital
at Charaideo in 1253. The base for 600 years of Ahom
rule was set up by Sukafa. Sukafa died in1268 AD. His
son Suseupha (1268-1281) succeeded and extended the
boundaries of the Ahom kingdom from the area adjoining
Dikhow river at Namdang river. In 1397 Sudangpha (1397-1407)
was crowned as king. His accession marks the first stage
in the growth of Brahmanical influence amongst the Ahoms.
A war between Ahoms and Tipams took place during his
reign but was later on peacefully concluded.
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It was Suhungmung's reign (1497-1539) which is counted
as one of the most memorable in 600 years of Ahom rule.
He assumed the Hindu name Swarganarayan. He was popularly
known as Dihingia Raja, because he shifted the Ahom
capital to Bokota near Dihing river. He annexed the
Chutia and the Kachari territories to the Ahom domains.
He created a third class of Ministers: Borgohain, Buragohain
and Borpatra Gohain. It was during his reign that the
first ever census took place. The economic scenario
of the State was also comprehensively surveyed. During
his reign, the Mughals invaded thrice but they could
not taste victory. This invasion taught Ahoms the use
of gunpower, which was a deviation from the traditional
system of warfare which comprised of bows, arrows and
swords.
The
Mughal invasion had another positive effect; the Mughals
who were taken as prisoner of war were settled in different
areas of Assam. Later on, they came to be popularly
known as "Morias". Srimanta Sankardev got
full impetus to preach his Vaishnava Dharma during the
rule of Swarganarayan. In 1539 AD he died at the
hands of a Kachari servant as a result of a conspiracy
hatched by his son Suklengmung (1539-1552), who after
becoming king, shifted the capital to Gargoan from Bokota
which is why he is called 'Gargainya Raja'. Plenty of
battles between Ahoms and the Koch took place during
his reign. Under his supervision 'Gargaon Pukhuri',
a pond, was dug and a road named 'Naga Ali'
was constructed.
Susengpha,
a descendant of Suklengmung, ascended the throne in
1603. He took on the name of Pratap Singha. It
was during his time that war between Ahoms and Mughals
reached its peak and needless to say that Pratap Singha
acquitted himself with full honours and was able to
extend the boundaries of the state. He created a new
post of Barphukan to look after the administration of
the areas beyond Kaliabor. The three classes of ministers
Buragohain, Borgohain and Borpatra Gohain had their
well defined areas to rule and those part of the kingdom
which did not fall under their jurisdiction were brought
under the control of Barbaruah, a new post created during
the rule of Pratap Singha. Momai Tamuli Barbaruah was
the first official to hold this post. Pratap Singha
tried his level best to upgrade the life of citizens.
He also introduced Pyke (common rayat) system. Under
this system, people were divided into groups of 1000,
100 and 20, and over groups- officials Hazarika, Saikia
and Bora were elected. Creation of other posts like
Rohiyal Barua, Jagiyal Gohain, Kajalimukhiya Gohain
is also credited to him. For his organizational capability,
political acumen and his great wisdom, he is also known
as Buddhi Swarganarayan.
Supungmung
or Chakradhvaj Singha (1663- 1669) was an independent
minded king who prepared himself for another fight against
the Mughals. He enlisted the help of Lachit Barphukan,
who was the son of Momai Tamuli Barbaruah. In August
1667, under the excellent leadership of Lachit Barphukan,
the Ahoms were able to get back Guwahati and Pandu.
Hearing the news of this defeat Aurangzeb sent a huge
force with Ramsingh to attack the Ahom kingdom once
again. A fierce battle took place between the Ahoms
and the Mughals in 1671 at Saraighat. As expected, the
Mughals suffered an ignominious defeat. Consequently
in the west the Manas river became the demarcation line
between the Ahom and Mughal territories and remained
so until the British occupation in 1826 AD.
Supatpha
or Gadapani who assumed the Hindu name Gadadhar Singha
(1681-1696), waged a war against the Mughals which is
also famously known as Itakhulir Rann (war of Itakhuli)
and captured back Guwahati from the Mughals. He was
a Shaivite and to help propagate this form of Hindu
worship he built 'Umananda Devaloi' at Guwahati. He
also built the 'Dhodar Ali', a road near Golaghat .
Gadadhar Singha's eldest son Lai succeeded him. He took
on the Hindu name of Rudra Singha (1696-1714) and the
Ahom name Sukrumpha. In the honour of the memory of
his mother Joymoti, he dug the Joysagar tank.
Other architectural monuments and structures accredited
to him are Kareng Ghar, stone bridge built over the
Namdang river, Kharikatia Ali, Metaka Ali. Rudra Singha
gave royal patronage to 'Bihu'. He also created Khels
or positions like Khaund, Kotoki, Bairagi, Doloi, Kakoti.
In
(1714-1744) Sutanpha, son of Rudra Singha took on the
Hindu name of Siva Singha. He became a Shakti worshipper,
as he was initiated in the tenets of the Shakti cult
by Krishnaram Bhattacharya, who was later on installed
as head priest of Kamakhya temple which is situated
atop the Nilachal Hills. Siva Singha was a weak person
who relied heavily on astrologers which explains the
fact that when an astrologer told him that he was in
danger of being dethroned, he installed his Queen Phuleswari,
who assumed the name Pramateswari (one of the name Durga),
as Bor Raj, or chief king, thus engineering the beginning
of the end of the Ahom Dynasty. Phuleswari was an orthodox
Shakti worshiper who persecuted the Moamoria Mahantas
by forcibly making them to take prasad of Durga worship
and anointing their foreheads with sacrificial blood.
This resulted in the famous Moamoria rebellion. After
Phuleswari died in 1731, Siva Singha married her sister
Drupadi or Deopadi and made her the next Bor Raja, with
the name Ambika. She was the one who constructed the
Shiva Dol (temple) at Sibsagar, which is the
highest Shiva temple in Assam. It was during her reign
that 'Dhai Ali' was constructed at Sibsagar. Gauri Sagar
tank and Sibsagar tank were dug at the instruction of
'Bor Raja' Phuleswari and Ambika respectively
The
Rule of British
In the beginning, the people welcomed the British with
open arms because they were seen as saviour. The Assamese
had suffered more than enough on account of the
Burmese invasion, Moamoria rebellion, downfall of the
Ahom kingdom. The British however, saw it as a golden
opportunity to annex Assam to the vast British empire
which consisted of almost the whole of India. The Pyke
system was alive and the post were filled up with non-Assamese,
which did not go down well with the people, specially
the intellectuals. The plans were afoot to overthrow
the British yoke and re-establish the Ahom rule.
The
first notable revolt against the British was led by
Dhananjay Borgohain and Gumadhar Konwar in 1828. Gumadhar
Konwar was sentenced to seven years in prison and Dhananjay
Borgohain who was ordered to be hanged, fled to the
Matak kingdom. There he together with his sons Harakanta
and Haranath, son-in-law Jeuram Dulia Baruah, Piyoli
Barphukan, Rupchand and many others secretly set up
a plan to attack Rangpur. But before they could execute
the plans, Sadiya Khowa Gohain informed the British
of their plans, because he wanted to prove his loyalty
to the British. Piyoli Barphukan and Jeuram Dulia Baruah
were hanged to death in 1830 and the rest were expelled
from the country. Thus Assam passed into the hands of
the British. Besides Assam, they annexed Khamtis, Singhpho,
Matak, Kachari, Naga, Garo, Luchai and other hilly kingdoms
to the ever growing empire.
The
time had come when the people decided to take matters
in their own hands. The famous revolt of 1857, found
an echo in Assam under the leadership of Maniram Dewan
and Piyoli Barua, who were consequently hanged in 1558.
The British dispensed justice in a high handed manner,
without making any distinction between the innocent
and the guilty. Sir Holroyd had this to say in connection
with the innocents pleading for fair trial that, "We
will hang you first, try you afterwards."
On
the other hand, the British sought to clamp to linguistic
freedom of the natives by introducing Bengali as the
medium of instruction in 1837. It was an unsuccessful
attempt since the unstinted efforts by the American
Baptist Missionaries, and front ranking personalities
of the day like Anandaram Dhekial Phukan, Hemchandra
Baruah, Gunabhiram Baruah that Assamese regained its
place as the medium of instruction in 1873. During those
days Calcutta was the Mecca of higher learning. The
educated Assamese thought it was important that the
element of cohesiveness should rejoin the social fabric
of the state, so that the fight for liberty could percolate
to every strata of the society. In 1884 Jagannath Baruah
formed the first such organisation and named it Sarbajanik
Sabha at Jorhat. In 1916 the Assam Chatra Sanmilan and
in 1917 Assam Sahitya Sabha(formerly known as Sadou
Asom Sahitya Sanmilani) was formed. It was followed
by Assam Association formed by Manik Chandra Baruah.
In 1919, this particular association joined the Assam
branch of Indian National Congress.
In
1919-20 like the rest of the country Assam also plunged
into the non-cooperation movement launched by Gandhiji.
Assam's participation in the national wave dates back
to 1886 at the second session of Indian National Congress
held at Calcutta, where Debi Chandra Baruah, Gopinath
Bordoloi, Kamini Kumar Chandra, Bipin Chandra Pal, Satyanath
Baruah, Joy Gobindasom represented Assam. The year 1912
is a memorable year is the annals of Assam history because
of three things, which were: (1) Gandhiji's visit
to Assam, (2) Strikes by Assam Bengal train service
and steamer companies, which were the cause of widespread
unrest and (3) After a period of 63 years i.e., in 1912,
Assam passed into the hands of a Governor, thus paving
the way for a dual administration, which lasted till
1936.
Assam
joined the rest of the country in the Civil Disobedience
movement of 1930 launched by Gandhiji. In 1935 self
goverance in Assam was introduced. Assam plunged into
the Quit India Movement in 1942 which was also
popularly known as Peoples' Revolution.
The
first Governor of Independent Assam was Sir Akbar Haidari
and Chief Minister was Gopinath Bordoloi who saw the
foundations laid of Gauhati University (1948), Gauhati
High Court (1948), Guwahati Station of All India Radio.
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