Suhitpangphaa
Gaurinath Singha
Chaopha
Swargadeo
Gold Mohur of King Gaurinath Singha
35th king of the Ahom Kingdom
Reign13 December 1780 – 19 December 1794
Coronation21 April 1782
PredecessorLakshmi Singha
SuccessorKamaleswar Singha
BornLokenath Gohain
1765
Ahom kingdom
Died19 December 1794
Jorhat, Ahom kingdom
SpouseKamaleshwari devi
IssueJayanti Aideo
HouseTungkhungia
DynastyAhom Dynasty
FatherLakshmi Singha
MotherNaphuk (Step Mother)
ReligionHinduism

Suhitpangphaa also Gaurinath Singha (c. 1765 – 19 December 1794), was the 35th king of Ahom kingdom who reigned from 1780–1794. His reign is marked by the rise of the Moamoria rebellion and the decentralization of Ahom power. He was forced to flee from his capital owing to the rebels, he is characterized as weak, incapable, and a cruel ruler whenever intoxicated with opium where most of the power and influence remained over his nobles. He was the son of the previous reigning king Lakshmi Singha and the grandson of Rudra Singha, he was only fifteen years of age when he ascended to the throne, with no formal training or experience.

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

Brown Bess Musket used by the Company troops in their expedition to Assam

Governor-General Cornwallis considering the situations and indirect responsibility of the British government, order were issued for the despatch of a contingent of troops under the command of Captain Welsh.[11] The small expeditionary force under Captain Welsh showed great effectiveness in suppressing many rebellious activities, he captured Guwahati on 25 November without any resistance, the Barkandazes were expelled from North Guwahati on 6 December. On 26 December, Krishnanarayan's force was defeated and he fled to Bhutan.[12] After having completed the primary objectives, Welsh was directed to the general restoration of peace in Assam. Captain Welsh complained about the weaknesses and villainy of Gaurinath's character and his diabolical ministers. In November 1792, a commercial agreement was set up between the two governments.[13] Nevertheless, after having settled the affairs in lower Assam, the expedition was now directed towards the Moamorias with the general view of restoring peace in Assam. Captain Welsh moved to advance towards Rangpur and finally captured it on 18 March 1794. Welsh received orders of his recallment on 21 April.[14][15] The process of complete submission of the Moamorias was only waiting, King Gaurinath aware of the dangers awaiting after the recallment of British troops, requested the Governor-General to let Welsh remain in Assam. However, no favorable response was received.

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 Purnananda Burhagohain, during this period he assassinated his powerful opposition, the Borbarua, and placed his own nominee on the throne, Kamaleswar Singha who was a mere toddler at that time. From this period the Burhagohain became the de facto ruler of the Ahom state. [16]

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 opium and, when sober, totally incapable of all business, which was transacted by his ministers. This men were devoid of honesty, inimical to their master and rapacious to the country." Sir Edward Gait concludes him as the most incompetent, bloodthirsty and cowardly of Ahom kings. Gaurinath Singha was quite young at the time of his accession and inexperienced, this factor was quite exploited and he became a puppet in the hands of his ministers. The people had hitherto enjoyed a fair measure of happiness and prosperity but during his reign, they were plunged into the depths of misery and despair. [17]

See also

Notes

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.
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