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Sunenphaa () also, Pramatta Singha, was the king of Ahom Kingdom. He succeeded his elder brother Swargadeo
Siva Singha Sutanphaa also Siva Singha was a king of Assam who reigned from 1714 to 1744 A.D. He was the eldest son of Rudra Singha. Siva Singha was with his dying father at Guwahati, who then proceeded to the capital Rangpur where he ascended to the th ...
, as the king of Ahom Kingdom. His reign of seven years was peaceful and prosperous. He constructed numerous buildings and temples. The most famous of his buildings was the
Rang Ghar The Rang Ghar (), ( Assamese: ৰংঘৰ, ''rong ghor'' meaning "House of Entertainment") is a two-storeyed building which once served as the royal sports-pavilion where Ahom kings and nobles were spectators at games like buffalo fights a ...
, which is also considered as the oldest
amphitheatre An amphitheatre (British English) or amphitheater (American English; both ) is an open-air venue used for entertainment, performances, and sports. The term derives from the ancient Greek ('), from ('), meaning "on both sides" or "around" and ...
in
Asia Asia (, ) is one of the world's most notable geographical regions, which is either considered a continent in its own right or a subcontinent of Eurasia, which shares the continental landmass of Afro-Eurasia with Africa. Asia covers an area ...
.


Ancestry and background

Pramatta Singha was the second son of Swargadeo
Rudra Singha Sukhrungphaa (reigned 1696–1714), or Swargadeo Rudra Singha, was a Tungkhungia ahom king and 30th king of the Ahom kingdom under whom the kingdom reached its zenith of power and glory, he is considered as the most illustrious of the Ah ...
. During the reign of his elder brother Swargadeo
Siva Singha Sutanphaa also Siva Singha was a king of Assam who reigned from 1714 to 1744 A.D. He was the eldest son of Rudra Singha. Siva Singha was with his dying father at Guwahati, who then proceeded to the capital Rangpur where he ascended to the th ...
, he held the post of Charing Raja or the heir apparent to the throne. Most of the chronicles recorded that Swargadeo
Rudra Singha Sukhrungphaa (reigned 1696–1714), or Swargadeo Rudra Singha, was a Tungkhungia ahom king and 30th king of the Ahom kingdom under whom the kingdom reached its zenith of power and glory, he is considered as the most illustrious of the Ah ...
expressed his desire at his death-bed that all his five sons
Siva Singha Sutanphaa also Siva Singha was a king of Assam who reigned from 1714 to 1744 A.D. He was the eldest son of Rudra Singha. Siva Singha was with his dying father at Guwahati, who then proceeded to the capital Rangpur where he ascended to the th ...
, Pramatta Singha,
Mohanmala Maladev Gohain Mohanmala Maladev Gohain, Barjana Gohain or simply know as Mohanmala Gohain, was the third son of great Rudra Singha. He held the rank of Namrup Raja, he was the lawful third heir to the throne after Pramatta Singha according to his father's wish. ...
alias Barjana Gohain,
Rajeswar Singha Suremphaa (reign 1751–1769), or Rajeswar Singha, the fourth son of Rudra Singha, became the king of the Ahom kingdom after the death of his brother King Pramatta Singha. Rudra Singha's third son, Mohanmala Maladev Gohain, was considered ...
and
Lakshmi Singha Sunyeophaa also Lakshmi Singha (1769–1780), previously known as Kalsiliya Gohain, was an Ahom king. After Rajeswar Singha's death, he married Queen Kuranganayani and became the king of the Ahom kingdom. Shortly after he was installed he bec ...
successively became king, after him. Accordingly, after the death of Swargadeo
Siba Singha Sutanphaa also Siva Singha was a king of Assam who reigned from 1714 to 1744 A.D. He was the eldest son of Rudra Singha. Siva Singha was with his dying father at Guwahati, who then proceeded to the capital Rangpur where he ascended to the th ...
, Chengmung
Burhagohain Buragohain ( Ahom language: ''Chao Phrung Mung'') was the first of the two original counsellors in the Ahom kingdom. He was selected by the Ahom king from members of the Ahom nobility (''Satgharia Ahom''),who vowed not to fight for the position o ...
of Pukhuriparia clan along with some other nobles decided to install Charing Raja as the king of Ahom kingdom.


Unsuccessful palace coup by Tipam Raja

Ugra Singha, the son of Swargadeo
Siva Singha Sutanphaa also Siva Singha was a king of Assam who reigned from 1714 to 1744 A.D. He was the eldest son of Rudra Singha. Siva Singha was with his dying father at Guwahati, who then proceeded to the capital Rangpur where he ascended to the th ...
and Queen Ambika Devi, was holding the rank of Tipam Raja, when his father died. When the Prime minister Chengmung
Burhagohain Buragohain ( Ahom language: ''Chao Phrung Mung'') was the first of the two original counsellors in the Ahom kingdom. He was selected by the Ahom king from members of the Ahom nobility (''Satgharia Ahom''),who vowed not to fight for the position o ...
and Rupchandra
Borbarua Borboruah ( Ahom language: ''Phu-Ke-Lung'') was one of the five (councillors) in the Ahom kingdom, a position created by the Ahom king Prataap Singha in 1621. The position included both executive and judicial powers, with jurisdiction of the A ...
, along with some other nobles decided to place Charing Raja on the throne, a section of nobles decided to oppose their decision. The Kalugayan
Borpatrogohain Borpatragohain was the third of the three great ''Gohains'' (counsellors) in the Ahom kingdom. This position was created by Suhungmung Dihingia Raja in the year 1527 when Koncheng was made the first Borpatrogohain. The designation was borrowed fro ...
, the Dihingia
Borgohain Borgohain (Ahom language: ''Chao Thao Lung'') was the second of the two original counselors in the Ahom kingdom. He was selected by the Ahom king from members of the Ahom nobility (''Satgharia Ahom''), who vowed not to fight for the position of Ah ...
and the Dihingia Naobaicha Phukan took up the cause of Tipam Raja, and assembled the attendants and servitors employed in the interior of the royal household in one place, and made up their minds to install the Tipam Raja as king. After Swargadeo
Siva Singha Sutanphaa also Siva Singha was a king of Assam who reigned from 1714 to 1744 A.D. He was the eldest son of Rudra Singha. Siva Singha was with his dying father at Guwahati, who then proceeded to the capital Rangpur where he ascended to the th ...
had died, the Tipam Raja left his feet and took his bath. He then armed his adherents with swords, shields, spears, arrows and bows, and asking them to remain ready for action he himself waited in full preparedness. Meanwhile, Charing Raja and his three brothers, accompanied by Chengmung
Burhagohain Buragohain ( Ahom language: ''Chao Phrung Mung'') was the first of the two original counsellors in the Ahom kingdom. He was selected by the Ahom king from members of the Ahom nobility (''Satgharia Ahom''),who vowed not to fight for the position o ...
and Rupchandra
Borbarua Borboruah ( Ahom language: ''Phu-Ke-Lung'') was one of the five (councillors) in the Ahom kingdom, a position created by the Ahom king Prataap Singha in 1621. The position included both executive and judicial powers, with jurisdiction of the A ...
, confronted the Tipam Raja's party at the palace. Chengmung
Burhagohain Buragohain ( Ahom language: ''Chao Phrung Mung'') was the first of the two original counsellors in the Ahom kingdom. He was selected by the Ahom king from members of the Ahom nobility (''Satgharia Ahom''),who vowed not to fight for the position o ...
and Rupchandra
Borbarua Borboruah ( Ahom language: ''Phu-Ke-Lung'') was one of the five (councillors) in the Ahom kingdom, a position created by the Ahom king Prataap Singha in 1621. The position included both executive and judicial powers, with jurisdiction of the A ...
said to Tipam Raja: The
Burhagohain Buragohain ( Ahom language: ''Chao Phrung Mung'') was the first of the two original counsellors in the Ahom kingdom. He was selected by the Ahom king from members of the Ahom nobility (''Satgharia Ahom''),who vowed not to fight for the position o ...
asked the Charing Raja to seize the hands of Tipam Raja, which he did accordingly. The Charing Raja had a sword in his hand. The Tipam Raja asked him to throw off the sword, and he snatched away his hand from the Charing Raja's grip. The
Burhagohain Buragohain ( Ahom language: ''Chao Phrung Mung'') was the first of the two original counsellors in the Ahom kingdom. He was selected by the Ahom king from members of the Ahom nobility (''Satgharia Ahom''),who vowed not to fight for the position o ...
advised the Charing Raja not to part with the sword. The Tipam Raja requested his followers to give him a ''dao''(a sharp weapon), but the
Burhagohain Buragohain ( Ahom language: ''Chao Phrung Mung'') was the first of the two original counsellors in the Ahom kingdom. He was selected by the Ahom king from members of the Ahom nobility (''Satgharia Ahom''),who vowed not to fight for the position o ...
intercepted and threatened by saying that the man who would give him a dao would have even his son in the womb hacked and quartered. Saying so Chengmung
Burhagohain Buragohain ( Ahom language: ''Chao Phrung Mung'') was the first of the two original counsellors in the Ahom kingdom. He was selected by the Ahom king from members of the Ahom nobility (''Satgharia Ahom''),who vowed not to fight for the position o ...
then took out Charing Raja and his three brothers as well as the Tipam Raja, but they were confronted at the michang or ante-chamber by the bevy of household attendants. Chengmung
Burhagohain Buragohain ( Ahom language: ''Chao Phrung Mung'') was the first of the two original counsellors in the Ahom kingdom. He was selected by the Ahom king from members of the Ahom nobility (''Satgharia Ahom''),who vowed not to fight for the position o ...
then said to Rupchandra
Borbarua Borboruah ( Ahom language: ''Phu-Ke-Lung'') was one of the five (councillors) in the Ahom kingdom, a position created by the Ahom king Prataap Singha in 1621. The position included both executive and judicial powers, with jurisdiction of the A ...
: Just at that time Laidhan, who was a ''Changmai-ligira'' or an attendant of the royal cooked, gave the
Burhagohain Buragohain ( Ahom language: ''Chao Phrung Mung'') was the first of the two original counsellors in the Ahom kingdom. He was selected by the Ahom king from members of the Ahom nobility (''Satgharia Ahom''),who vowed not to fight for the position o ...
a sword which he pointed at the miscreants and they dispersed. The
Burhagohain Buragohain ( Ahom language: ''Chao Phrung Mung'') was the first of the two original counsellors in the Ahom kingdom. He was selected by the Ahom king from members of the Ahom nobility (''Satgharia Ahom''),who vowed not to fight for the position o ...
’s party then came out to the gate-house, and there also they were confronted by the rebels who were also dispersed after some altercation. The party then reached the courtyard of the palanquin-bearers. There, one Naga ''Ligira'', an attendant belonging to the Dihingia family, having placed himself at the head of forty shields men of the ''Lukhurasun'' clan, confronted the royalists on the way. He was also disbanded.


Accession

After neutralizing the supporters of Ugra Singha Tipam Raja, son of Swargadeo
Siva Singha Sutanphaa also Siva Singha was a king of Assam who reigned from 1714 to 1744 A.D. He was the eldest son of Rudra Singha. Siva Singha was with his dying father at Guwahati, who then proceeded to the capital Rangpur where he ascended to the th ...
, in the royal palace, Prime-minister Chengmung
Burhagohain Buragohain ( Ahom language: ''Chao Phrung Mung'') was the first of the two original counsellors in the Ahom kingdom. He was selected by the Ahom king from members of the Ahom nobility (''Satgharia Ahom''),who vowed not to fight for the position o ...
and Rupchandra
Borbarua Borboruah ( Ahom language: ''Phu-Ke-Lung'') was one of the five (councillors) in the Ahom kingdom, a position created by the Ahom king Prataap Singha in 1621. The position included both executive and judicial powers, with jurisdiction of the A ...
received the Charing Raja at the principal court-chamber and said; "Charing Raja, we hereby appoint you king." The
Burhagohain Buragohain ( Ahom language: ''Chao Phrung Mung'') was the first of the two original counsellors in the Ahom kingdom. He was selected by the Ahom king from members of the Ahom nobility (''Satgharia Ahom''),who vowed not to fight for the position o ...
then led the new king to the elevated platform and announced as follows: Then the people assembled knelt down before the newly appointed monarch. The
Burhagohain Buragohain ( Ahom language: ''Chao Phrung Mung'') was the first of the two original counsellors in the Ahom kingdom. He was selected by the Ahom king from members of the Ahom nobility (''Satgharia Ahom''),who vowed not to fight for the position o ...
then counseled the new monarch as follows: After saying so the
Burhagohain Buragohain ( Ahom language: ''Chao Phrung Mung'') was the first of the two original counsellors in the Ahom kingdom. He was selected by the Ahom king from members of the Ahom nobility (''Satgharia Ahom''),who vowed not to fight for the position o ...
bathed the body of the deceased king and ascended the royal chamber for laying on the winding sheet. After few days, the
Burhagohain Buragohain ( Ahom language: ''Chao Phrung Mung'') was the first of the two original counsellors in the Ahom kingdom. He was selected by the Ahom king from members of the Ahom nobility (''Satgharia Ahom''),who vowed not to fight for the position o ...
removed the body of Swargadeo
Siva Singha Sutanphaa also Siva Singha was a king of Assam who reigned from 1714 to 1744 A.D. He was the eldest son of Rudra Singha. Siva Singha was with his dying father at Guwahati, who then proceeded to the capital Rangpur where he ascended to the th ...
to
Charaideo Charaideo or Che-Rai-Doi (Literally: ''the shining city on the hills'' in Ahom language) is a town in Charaideo district, Assam, India and was also the first capital of the Ahom kingdom established by the first Ahom king Chao Lung Siu-Ka-Pha ...
and buried it there. The
Singarigharutha ceremony Singarigharutha was the traditional coronation ceremony of the king of the Ahom kingdom, a medieval kingdom in Assam. During the period of Ahom supremacy in Assam, the Singarigharutha ceremony had important constitutional significance. It was bel ...
or the coronation ceremony of the new king continued for eight days. The Tai-Ahom priests, the ''Deodhais'' and the ''Bailungs'' conferred on him the title Sunenphaa, while the Hindu Brahmins bestowed him the title Pramatta Singha. Envoys from
Kachari kingdom The Dimasa Kingdom (also Kachari kingdom) was a late medieval/early modern kingdom in Assam, Northeast India ruled by Dimasa kings. The Dimasa kingdom and others (Kamata, Chutiya) that developed in the wake of the Kamarupa kingdom were examp ...
and
Jaintia kingdom The Jaintia Kingdom was a matrilineal kingdom in present-day Bangladesh's Sylhet Division and India's Meghalaya state. It was partitioned into three in 630 AD by Raja Guhak for his three sons, into the Jaintia Kingdom, Gour Kingdom and Laur K ...
attended the
Singarigharutha ceremony Singarigharutha was the traditional coronation ceremony of the king of the Ahom kingdom, a medieval kingdom in Assam. During the period of Ahom supremacy in Assam, the Singarigharutha ceremony had important constitutional significance. It was bel ...
or the coronation ceremony of Pramatta Singha.


Reign


Punishment of the rebels

On the ground of the supporting Tipam Raja's coup against the accession of Pramatta Singha to the throne, the Kalugayan
Borpatrogohain Borpatragohain was the third of the three great ''Gohains'' (counsellors) in the Ahom kingdom. This position was created by Suhungmung Dihingia Raja in the year 1527 when Koncheng was made the first Borpatrogohain. The designation was borrowed fro ...
was dismissed and Mrittunjay Gohain from Kenduguria family was appointed as the
Borpatrogohain Borpatragohain was the third of the three great ''Gohains'' (counsellors) in the Ahom kingdom. This position was created by Suhungmung Dihingia Raja in the year 1527 when Koncheng was made the first Borpatrogohain. The designation was borrowed fro ...
; and similarly Khamcheng Gohain, son of Laithepena
Borgohain Borgohain (Ahom language: ''Chao Thao Lung'') was the second of the two original counselors in the Ahom kingdom. He was selected by the Ahom king from members of the Ahom nobility (''Satgharia Ahom''), who vowed not to fight for the position of Ah ...
, was appointed
Borgohain Borgohain (Ahom language: ''Chao Thao Lung'') was the second of the two original counselors in the Ahom kingdom. He was selected by the Ahom king from members of the Ahom nobility (''Satgharia Ahom''), who vowed not to fight for the position of Ah ...
in place of Dihingia
Borgohain Borgohain (Ahom language: ''Chao Thao Lung'') was the second of the two original counselors in the Ahom kingdom. He was selected by the Ahom king from members of the Ahom nobility (''Satgharia Ahom''), who vowed not to fight for the position of Ah ...
who had been dismissed. In addition to the above punishments the following were also chained and imprisoned in the elephant-stall, the Dhekial Barua, and his son the Lari Gohain, the Tipamia Phukan and the attendants Birah and Naga, and a few other shieldsmen. In the month of Phagun of Hindu-calendar (February–March), the ''Sraddha'' ceremony of the deceased king was performed to which all the religious preachers were invited. They sang hymns to the glory of
Hari Hari ( sa, हरि) is among the primary epithets of the Hindu preserver deity Vishnu, meaning 'the one who takes away' (sins). It refers to the one who removes darkness and illusion, the one who removes all obstacles to spiritual progress ...
, and alms and presents were distributed to them. In the month of Chaitra of Hindu-calendar (March–April) the trial of the rebels was taken up; those against whom the charges were light were let off with slight punishment and sent home. The Tipamia Phukan, the Dhekial Barua, his son Naga, and a few other miscreants had their ears and noses clipped and deported to Teji.


Embassy from Rani

It was customary for the tributary rulers under
Ahom Ahom may refer to: *Ahom people, an ethnic community in Assam * Ahom language, a language associated with the Ahom people *Ahom religion, an ethnic folk religion of Tai-Ahom people *Ahom alphabet, a script used to write the Ahom language * Ahom kin ...
rule, to offer their submission with gifts and presents to the new king, during or after the coronation ceremony. The Ahom monarchs always maintained very friendly relationships with their tributary kingdoms. One of such tributary kingdoms was Rani, a place in southern part of
Kamrup District Kamrup Rural district, or simply Kamrup district (Pron: ˈkæmˌrəp or ˈkæmˌru:p), is an administrative district in the state of Assam in India formed by dividing the old Kamrup district into two in the year 2003; other being Kamrup Metrop ...
, mostly inhabited by Karbis and
Garos Garos is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territo ...
. Its rulers had a long association with the Ahoms since the days of Ahom-Mughal conflicts. Swargadeo
Gadadhar Singha Supaatpha also, Gadadhar Singha (reign 1681–1696) established the rule of the Tungkhungia clan of the Ahom kings that ruled the Ahom kingdom till its climactic end. He was the son of Gobar Roja, a descendant of Suhungmung, and who had becom ...
, grandfather of Swargadeo Pramatta Singha, during his princely days, was hiding in Rani at a house of a
Garo Garo may refer to: People and languages * Garo people, a tribal people in India ** Garo language, the language spoken by the Garo tribe Places * Kingdom of Garo, a former kingdom in southern Ethiopia * Garo, Colorado * Garo Hills, part of the Ga ...
woman, during the notorious reign of Lora Raja. On the occasion of the accession of Pramatta Singha, the ruler of Rani sent his envoy Rup offering his submissions and greetings to the new king. Chengmung
Burhagohain Buragohain ( Ahom language: ''Chao Phrung Mung'') was the first of the two original counsellors in the Ahom kingdom. He was selected by the Ahom king from members of the Ahom nobility (''Satgharia Ahom''),who vowed not to fight for the position o ...
received the ambassador deputed by the ruler of Rani. Vidyanivas Kataki introduced the representative of Rani. The
Burhagohain Buragohain ( Ahom language: ''Chao Phrung Mung'') was the first of the two original counsellors in the Ahom kingdom. He was selected by the Ahom king from members of the Ahom nobility (''Satgharia Ahom''),who vowed not to fight for the position o ...
then said: On being thus interrogated by Vidyanivas the Rani ambassador said: The
Burhagohain Buragohain ( Ahom language: ''Chao Phrung Mung'') was the first of the two original counsellors in the Ahom kingdom. He was selected by the Ahom king from members of the Ahom nobility (''Satgharia Ahom''),who vowed not to fight for the position o ...
again added: The ambassador of Rani then replied: The
Burhagohain Buragohain ( Ahom language: ''Chao Phrung Mung'') was the first of the two original counsellors in the Ahom kingdom. He was selected by the Ahom king from members of the Ahom nobility (''Satgharia Ahom''),who vowed not to fight for the position o ...
then replied: Gifts and presents for the ruler of Rani were sent along with Rup, the ambassador of Rani, on his return journey.


Temples and edifices

The reign of Swargadeo Pramatta Singha was marked with peace and prosperity of the Ahom Kingdom. He utilized his peaceful reign in the construction of temples and buildings. He constructed the famous
Rang Ghar The Rang Ghar (), ( Assamese: ৰংঘৰ, ''rong ghor'' meaning "House of Entertainment") is a two-storeyed building which once served as the royal sports-pavilion where Ahom kings and nobles were spectators at games like buffalo fights a ...
, an amphitheater made of bricks and had two roofs, for the purpose of animal fights and other amusements during the festivals like
Bihu Bihu is a set of three important Assamese festivals in the Indian state of Assam – 'Rongali' or 'Bohag Bihu' observed in April, 'Kongali' or 'Kati Bihu' observed in October, and 'Bhogali' or 'Magh Bihu' observed in January. The Rongali Bihu i ...
. Even though his father Swargadeo
Rudra Singha Sukhrungphaa (reigned 1696–1714), or Swargadeo Rudra Singha, was a Tungkhungia ahom king and 30th king of the Ahom kingdom under whom the kingdom reached its zenith of power and glory, he is considered as the most illustrious of the Ah ...
constructed an amphitheater during his reign, it was made of wood and bamboo. The
Rang Ghar The Rang Ghar (), ( Assamese: ৰংঘৰ, ''rong ghor'' meaning "House of Entertainment") is a two-storeyed building which once served as the royal sports-pavilion where Ahom kings and nobles were spectators at games like buffalo fights a ...
is reputed as the oldest existing amphitheater in
Asia Asia (, ) is one of the world's most notable geographical regions, which is either considered a continent in its own right or a subcontinent of Eurasia, which shares the continental landmass of Afro-Eurasia with Africa. Asia covers an area ...
. Pramatta Singha also caused the gatehouses of
Garhgaon Gargaon (Pron:/gɑ:ˈgɑ̃ʊ/) is a town in Assam, India and was the capital of the Ahom kingdom for many years. It was built by the Ahom king Suklenmung (Gargoyaan Rojaa) in 1540. It is said that the capital was built at the suggestion of ...
to be built in bricks. He also erected the temples of Sukreswar and Janardan in
Guwahati Guwahati (, ; formerly rendered Gauhati, ) is the biggest city of the Indian state of Assam and also the largest metropolis in northeastern India. Dispur, the capital of Assam, is in the circuit city region located within Guwahati and is the ...
. In 1749 CE, he raised a temple at North Guwahati at the place where his father Swargadeo
Rudra Singha Sukhrungphaa (reigned 1696–1714), or Swargadeo Rudra Singha, was a Tungkhungia ahom king and 30th king of the Ahom kingdom under whom the kingdom reached its zenith of power and glory, he is considered as the most illustrious of the Ah ...
had breathed his last; an image of
Shiva Shiva (; sa, शिव, lit=The Auspicious One, Śiva ), also known as Mahadeva (; ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐ, or Hara, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hindu ...
named Rudreswar was placed in the temple, and lands and paiks were endowed for the maintenance of the temple. The temple is known as Rudreswar Temple and hence the village was named Rudreswar. He also constructed several buildings in
Hajo Hajo is a historic town set in the hills northwest of Guwahati, Assam, India. It is a meeting point of Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims due to the various pilgrimage sites on the different hills of Hajo. To the Hindus, the Manikut Parbat of Hajo ...
, which includes one
Ganesh Ganesha ( sa, गणेश, ), also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the best-known and most worshipped Deva_(Hinduism), deities in the Hindu deities, Hindu pantheon and is the Supreme God in Ganapatya sect. His image is ...
temple and the Fakuwa Dol, located near the
Hayagriva Madhava Temple Hayagriva Madhava Temple is situated on the Monikut hill. The hill is situated in Hajo of Kamrup District in Assam, India. Which is around 30 km to west of Guwahati. The Kalika Purana composed in the 11th century CE in Kamarupa talks ...
, where every year the festival of
Holi Holi (), also known as the Festival of Colours, the Festival of Spring, and the Festival of Love,The New Oxford Dictionary of English (1998) p. 874 "Holi /'həʊli:/ noun a Hindu spring festival ...". is an ancient Hindu religious festival ...
is celebrated. The boundary wall around
Hayagriva Madhava Temple Hayagriva Madhava Temple is situated on the Monikut hill. The hill is situated in Hajo of Kamrup District in Assam, India. Which is around 30 km to west of Guwahati. The Kalika Purana composed in the 11th century CE in Kamarupa talks ...
, also around the steps leading to the temple premises were also constructed during his reign.


Land Survey at Kamrup

In 1754 CE Swargadeo Pramatta Singha initiated a fresh settlement operation in Kamrup and
Lower Assam Lower Assam division is one of the 5 administrative divisions of Assam. It was formed in 1874, comprising Undivided Kamrup district of Western Assam, undivided Darrang and Nagoan districts of Central Assam and Khasi & Jaintia hills of Meghalaya ...
. Arrangements were made for the maintenance of records of land rights.


Death

Swargadeo Pramatta Singha died in 1751 CE. An interesting story circulates around the death of Swargadeo Pramatta Singha. The king used to complain about severe headache from time to time. It was said that he had a vision in his dream that if he offers prayers in the holy shrine of
Islam Islam (; ar, ۘالِإسلَام, , ) is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic Monotheism#Islam, monotheistic religion centred primarily around the Quran, a religious text considered by Muslims to be the direct word of God in Islam, God (or ...
, his headache would get cure. Therefore, one Muslim cleric was selected and arrangements were made for his journey to
Mecca Mecca (; officially Makkah al-Mukarramah, commonly shortened to Makkah ()) is a city and administrative center of the Mecca Province of Saudi Arabia, and the Holiest sites in Islam, holiest city in Islam. It is inland from Jeddah on the Red ...
. The cleric was instructed to offer prayers for the king's well-being and good health. As instructed, the cleric went to
Mecca Mecca (; officially Makkah al-Mukarramah, commonly shortened to Makkah ()) is a city and administrative center of the Mecca Province of Saudi Arabia, and the Holiest sites in Islam, holiest city in Islam. It is inland from Jeddah on the Red ...
and prayed for the king's good health and long life. He returned to the capital Rangpur after a gap of two and a half years, but before he reached the capital, the king died due to illness.


Family and issues

Swargadeo Pramatta Singha was survived by two sons, named Molou Gohain and Madhab Gohain. None of them could succeed him as king, since the nobles led by Kirti Chandra
Borbarua Borboruah ( Ahom language: ''Phu-Ke-Lung'') was one of the five (councillors) in the Ahom kingdom, a position created by the Ahom king Prataap Singha in 1621. The position included both executive and judicial powers, with jurisdiction of the A ...
installed Bonda Gohain alias Romanath Gohain, the younger brother of the late king, on the throne, who was proclaimed as Swargadeo
Rajeswar Singha Suremphaa (reign 1751–1769), or Rajeswar Singha, the fourth son of Rudra Singha, became the king of the Ahom kingdom after the death of his brother King Pramatta Singha. Rudra Singha's third son, Mohanmala Maladev Gohain, was considered ...
after the coronation ceremony. Molou Gohain was appointed as Tipam Raja by his uncle Swargadeo
Lakshmi Singha Sunyeophaa also Lakshmi Singha (1769–1780), previously known as Kalsiliya Gohain, was an Ahom king. After Rajeswar Singha's death, he married Queen Kuranganayani and became the king of the Ahom kingdom. Shortly after he was installed he bec ...
. Later he conspired against his uncle to usurp the throne, only to be caught and executed by royal henchmen.


Legacy

In
Hajo Hajo is a historic town set in the hills northwest of Guwahati, Assam, India. It is a meeting point of Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims due to the various pilgrimage sites on the different hills of Hajo. To the Hindus, the Manikut Parbat of Hajo ...
, there is local lore that Swargadeo Pramatta Singha, while on his visit to the
Hayagriva Madhava Temple Hayagriva Madhava Temple is situated on the Monikut hill. The hill is situated in Hajo of Kamrup District in Assam, India. Which is around 30 km to west of Guwahati. The Kalika Purana composed in the 11th century CE in Kamarupa talks ...
, witnessed a pair of
Bulbul The bulbuls are members of a family, Pycnonotidae, of medium-sized passerine songbirds, which also includes greenbuls, brownbuls, leafloves, and bristlebills. The family is distributed across most of Africa and into the Middle East, tropical As ...
birds fighting in the temple premises. Therefore, he ordered to hold
Bulbul The bulbuls are members of a family, Pycnonotidae, of medium-sized passerine songbirds, which also includes greenbuls, brownbuls, leafloves, and bristlebills. The family is distributed across most of Africa and into the Middle East, tropical As ...
bird fights every year in
Magh Bihu Magh Bihu (মাঘ বিহু) (also called Bhogali Bihu (ভোগালী বিহু) (of eating Bhog i.e. enjoyment) or Maghar Domahi (মাঘৰ দোমাহী) is a harvest festival celebrated in Assam, North-East India, whi ...
, a tradition which the people of
Hajo Hajo is a historic town set in the hills northwest of Guwahati, Assam, India. It is a meeting point of Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims due to the various pilgrimage sites on the different hills of Hajo. To the Hindus, the Manikut Parbat of Hajo ...
continued till recent years (banned by the supreme court recently). According to historical chronicles, there are no records of Swargadeo Pramatta Singha visiting the temple of Hayagriva Madhava; rather it was his younger brother Swargadeo
Rajeswar Singha Suremphaa (reign 1751–1769), or Rajeswar Singha, the fourth son of Rudra Singha, became the king of the Ahom kingdom after the death of his brother King Pramatta Singha. Rudra Singha's third son, Mohanmala Maladev Gohain, was considered ...
who had paid a visit to the temple during a royal tour in 1756 CE. Maybe it was Swargadeo
Rajeswar Singha Suremphaa (reign 1751–1769), or Rajeswar Singha, the fourth son of Rudra Singha, became the king of the Ahom kingdom after the death of his brother King Pramatta Singha. Rudra Singha's third son, Mohanmala Maladev Gohain, was considered ...
who had witnessed the
Bulbul The bulbuls are members of a family, Pycnonotidae, of medium-sized passerine songbirds, which also includes greenbuls, brownbuls, leafloves, and bristlebills. The family is distributed across most of Africa and into the Middle East, tropical As ...
birds fighting in the temple premises, and the tradition of
Hajo Hajo is a historic town set in the hills northwest of Guwahati, Assam, India. It is a meeting point of Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims due to the various pilgrimage sites on the different hills of Hajo. To the Hindus, the Manikut Parbat of Hajo ...
’s famous
Bulbul The bulbuls are members of a family, Pycnonotidae, of medium-sized passerine songbirds, which also includes greenbuls, brownbuls, leafloves, and bristlebills. The family is distributed across most of Africa and into the Middle East, tropical As ...
birds fighting started since then, but since there are several buildings and temples constructed in
Hajo Hajo is a historic town set in the hills northwest of Guwahati, Assam, India. It is a meeting point of Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims due to the various pilgrimage sites on the different hills of Hajo. To the Hindus, the Manikut Parbat of Hajo ...
during Pramatta Singha's reign, local people might have confused the name of these two kings. Swargadeo Pramatta Singha was known as a kind and lenient ruler. His seven years long reign, though uneventful, was peaceful and prosperous.Gait E.A. A History of Assam 2nd edition 1926 Thacker, Spink & Co Calcutta page 185 The buildings and temples built by him still bear witness of his prosperous reign. The Ahom kingdom was at its apex of glory, which had already begun from the Tungkhungia restoration initiated by Swargadeo
Gadadhar Singha Supaatpha also, Gadadhar Singha (reign 1681–1696) established the rule of the Tungkhungia clan of the Ahom kings that ruled the Ahom kingdom till its climactic end. He was the son of Gobar Roja, a descendant of Suhungmung, and who had becom ...
and continued till the reign of Swargadeo
Rajeswar Singha Suremphaa (reign 1751–1769), or Rajeswar Singha, the fourth son of Rudra Singha, became the king of the Ahom kingdom after the death of his brother King Pramatta Singha. Rudra Singha's third son, Mohanmala Maladev Gohain, was considered ...
.


References

* Bhuyan Dr. S.K. Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha first edition 1975 Publication Board of Assam Guwahati * Bhuyan Dr. S.K. Tunkhungia Buranji or A History of Assam (1681-1826) second edition 1968 Department of HISTORICAL AND ANTIQUARIAN STUDIES IN ASSAM Guwahati * Barbaruah Hiteswar Ahomar-Din or A History of Assam under the Ahoms first edition 1981 Publication Board of Assam Guwahati * Gait E.A. A History of Assam second edition 1926 Thacker, Spink & Co Calcutta * Bhuyan Dr. S.K. Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha first edition 1975 Publication Board of Assam Guwahati * Neog Dr. Maheswar Pavitra Asam or The Sacred Assam 4th edition 2008 Kiran Prakashan, Dhemaji on behalf of Assam Sahitya Sabha


Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sunenphaa 18th-century Indian monarchs Ahom kings Ahom kingdom 1751 deaths Year of birth unknown Hindu monarchs