Suhitpangphaa
Suhitpangphaa Gaurinath Singha | |
---|---|
Lakshmi Singha | |
Mother | Naphuk (Step Mother) |
Religion | Hinduism |
Ahom dynasty |
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Suhitpangphaa also Gaurinath Singha (c. 1765 – 19 December 1794), was the 35th king of
Reign
Lokenath Gohain after the death of Lakshmi Singha, ascended to the throne in 1780 and assumed the Hindu name of Gaurinath Singha and Ahom name of Suhitpangphaa. His first act as king was the mutilation of various ex-Ahom princes, to secure his post.[1] In April 1782, the Moamoria rebels made a bold attack on the dual capitals, eventually, they were repulsed by the royalist and the monarchy promulgated an indiscriminate massacre of all the Moamorias, which led to widespread depopulation, and the economy was on the verge of collapse.[2] Four years of stability were marked by this massacre. The reassembled rebels raised their banner of rebellion from the north of Daphla Hills, and after prolonged struggles, defeated the royalist forces. In January 1786, the rebels surrounded the capital city and captured it.[3] King Gaurinath away from his capital, made multiple attempts to usurp the authority of the rebels, but to no success. In 1790, the inhabitants of Nagaon under the leadership of one Sindhura Hazarika surrounded King's camp and complained about their miseries due to the prolonged stay of king there with his numerous camp-followers, and demanded the dismissal of his many officials, whom they held responsible for their oppression.[4][5][6]
Disturbances in Lower Assam
Lower Assam unaffected by the Moamoria rebellion, but the entry of refugees and their plundering activities caused irritation of the Darrangis. Same as this, the Deka and Burha Rajas of Darrang , joined with the hands of conspirators but were utterly defeated and executed.[7][8] In 1791, integrating with discontented elements and deprivation of lawful succession, a Koch prince by the name of Krisnananryan, claimant to the throne of Deka rajaship of Darrang, rose to rebellion. Intercepted the services of Barkandazes (mercenary soldiers), took forcible possession of Darrang.[9] He with Haradatta occupied North Guwahati. The Barkandazes or mercenary soldiers who belonged to all castes and religions, roamed free and perpetrated atrocious crimes upon the defenseless Assamese. The depredations committed by Barkandazes who were originally recruited from Company's territories, were repeatedly reported by the frontier officers to British officials. After having received reports of depredations by the Barkandazes from the Borphukan; the Collector of Rangpur issued a warrant for the Barkandazes to quit Assamese territories.[10] Meanwhile, Gaurinath tried to come in terms with Krishnanaryan by granting him his right, but was prevented by the Barkandazes. Unable to get into settling terms, Gaurinath appealed for military aid to the Governor-General for the expulsion of Barkandazes from Assam.
Welsh Expedition
Governor-General
After Welsh departure, Gaurinath fled from Rangpur to Jorhat for his protection. Soon after Gaurinath Singha died prematurely in December 1794. His death was concealed for a few days by
Character and legacy
Gaurinath Singha is usually regarded as a weak ruler. In a contemporary British document it is stated: "The Assam Raja was a very weak man on whom no dependence could be placed, he is generally intoxicated with
See also
- Ahom dynasty
- Ahom Kingdom
- Moamoria rebellion
Notes
- ^ Basu 1970, p. 74
- ^ Bhuyan 1949, p. 219–221
- ^ Baruah 1985, p. 318
- ^ Bhuyan 1949, p. 234
- ^ Barpujari 1992, p. 295
- ^ Baruah 1985, p. 326
- ^ Barpujari 1992, p. 296
- ^ Bhuyan 1949, p. 272
- ^ Baruah 1985, p. 329
- ^ Barpujari 1992, p. 298
- ^ Barpujari 1992, p. 305
- ^ Barpujari 1992, p. 306–309
- ^ Barpujari 1992, p. 315
- ^ Baruah 1985, p. 344
- ^ Barpujari 1992, p. 325–27
- ^ Barpujari 1992, p. 332
- ^ Basu 1970, p. 86
References
- Barpujari, HK (1992). Barpujari, H K (ed.). The Comprehensive History of Assam. Vol. 2. Guwahati: Publication Board Assam.
- Baruah, S L (1985), A Comprehensive History of Assam, Munshiram Manoharlal
- Bhuyan, S.K. (1949), Anglo-Assamese Relations, 1771-1826, Department of Historical and Antiquarian Studies in Assam
- Basu, NK (1970). Assam in the Ahom Age, 1228-1826: Being Politico-economic and Socio-cultural Studies. Sanskrit Pustak Bhandar.