Susenghphaa

Ahom dynasty
1 Sukaphaa 12281268
2 Suteuphaa 12681281
3 Subinphaa 12811293
4 Sukhaangphaa 12931332
5 Sukhrangpha 13321364
Interregnum 13641369
6 Sutuphaa 13691376
Interregnum 13761380
7 Tyao Khamti 13801389
Interregnum 13891397
8 Sudangphaa 13971407
9 Sujangphaa 14071422
10 Suphakphaa 14221439
11 Susenphaa 14391488
12 Suhenphaa 14881493
13 Supimphaa 14931497
14 Suhungmung 14971539
15 Suklenmung 15391552
16 Sukhaamphaa 15521603
17 Susenghphaa 16031641
18 Suramphaa 16411644
19 Sutingphaa 16441648
20 Sutamla 16481663
21 Supangmung 16631670
22 Sunyatphaa 16701672
23 Suklamphaa 16721674
24 Suhung 16741675
25 Gobar Roja 16751675
26 Sujinphaa 16751677
27 Sudoiphaa 16771679
28 Sulikphaa 16791681
29 Gadadhar Singha 16811696
30 Sukhrungphaa 16961714
31 Sutanphaa 17141744
32 Sunenphaa 17441751
33 Suremphaa 17511769
34 Sunyeophaa 17691780
35 Suhitpangphaa 17801795
36 Suklingphaa 17951811
37 Sudingphaa 18111818
38 Purandar Singha 18181819
39 Sudingphaa 18191821
40 Jogeswar Singha 18211822
41 Purandar Singha 18331838

Susenghphaa (reign 1603–1641), also Pratap Sinha (Singha) (Assamese: স্বৰ্গদেউ প্ৰতাপ সিংহ ), was the 17th and one of the most prominent kings of the Ahom kingdom. As he was advanced in years when he became king, he is also called the Burha Raja (Old king). His reign saw an expansion of the Ahom kingdom to the west, the beginning of the Ahom-Mughal conflicts, and a reorganization of the kingdom with an expanded Paik system and reoriented village economy designed by Momai Tamuli Borbarua. His expansion to the west is underlined by the two new offices that he created: that of the Borbarua and the Borphukan. The alliances he formed with the rulers of Koch Hajo resulted in formation that successfully thwarted Mughal expansion. The administrative structure that he created survived till the end of the Ahom kingdom in 1826.

Reign

After the death of Sukhamphaa in 1603, his son Langi Gohain, was installed as the Swargadeo by the ministers Tonkham Borgohain, Chaopet Burhagohain and Banjangi Borpatrogohain.[1] At his coronation he was 58 and he assumed the name Susenghphaa accorded to him by the Tai priests. He accepted an offer of marriage to the Jaintia princess and the subsequent events brought him into conflict with the Kachari kingdom.[2] He also established alliance with the Koch Hajo rulers by marrying Mangaldahi, the daughter of Parikshit Narayan, in 1608.[3]

According to historian Late Benudhar Sarma, the present form of worship of Durga with earthen idol in Assam was started during the reign of King Susenghphaa or Pratap Sinha. The King heard about the festivity, the pomp and grandeur with which the King Naranarayan of Koch Bihar celebrated Durga Puja from one Sondar Gohain, who was held captive by the Koch Raja. King Pratap Sinha sent artisans to Koch Bihar to learn the art of idol making. The King organised the first such Durga Puja celebration in Bhatiapara near Sibsagar. This was the first time Durga Puja with earthen idols in Assam was held for the masses, in addition to the worship in Durga temples.

The conflict between Koch Bihar and Koch Hajo drew the Mughals and finally the Ahoms into the conflict in 1615, which finally ended in 1682 with Supaatphaa a later Ahom Swargadeo removing Mughal influence for ever from Assam. An interim truce (Treaty of Asurar Ali) was signed during Susenghphaa's reign. A necessary outcome of the Ahom-Mughal conflicts was cessation of Ahom-Kachari hostilities and restoration of peace, to confront a common enemy.[4]

Administration

As the Mughal attacks weakened Koch Hajo state powers and Ahom influence spread west, Susenghphaa appointed Langi Panisiya the first Borphukan as his western viceroy, based at Kajali, and in charge of all Ahom territories west of Kaliabor.[5] The three classes of ministers Burhagohain, Borgohain and Borpatrogohain had their well defined areas to rule and function, and those part of the kingdom which did not fall under their jurisdiction were brought under the control of the Borbarua, a new office that was also created during the rule of Pratap Singha. Under him Momai Tamuli Borbarua, the first Borbarua, made extensive changes to the Paik system and village economy.[6]

He redistributed populations to consolidate his rule. He moved the Bhuyans, the remnant of the Bhuyan chieftains, from the north to the south bank of the Brahmaputra, decreasing their power considerably. He moved eight thousand families to the sparsely populated Marangi area which was originally recovered from the Kachari kingdom by Suhungmung.

Creation of other posts like Rohiyal Barua, Jagiyal Gohain, Kajalimukhiya Gohain is also credited to him. For his organizational capability, political acumen and his wisdom, he was also known as Buddhi Swarganarayan.

Pratap Sinha died in the year 1641 after a long reign of 38 years. Although a great part of his reign was distracted by wars with the Kacharis and the Mughals, he was still able to devote much attention the internal organisation of his kingdom, development of backward tracts and construction of roads, embankments and tanks.

Notes

References

  • Gogoi, Padmeshwar (1968). The Tai and the Tai Kingdoms. Guwahati: Gauhati University. 

See also

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