Sukhrungphaa

Map showing territories of Ahoms (c. 1708), in red lines including the annexed portions of Dimasa and Jaintia territories

The Dimasa Kingdom which has been virtually independent since the day Ahoms got engaged in Ahom–Mughal conflicts.[3] Tamardhwaj Narayan the king of Dimasa Kingdom boldly asserted his independence and claimed territory up to Mahang in a letter sent to Rudra Singha in 1704–05. Such demand by an ‘established and protected’ vassal of the Ahom crown infuriated the Ahom king. Rudra Singha decided to subjugate the Kacharis, also in order to immortalize his military legacy and power, in December 1706[4] he send two contingent of armies, one under Kamal Lochan Dihingia Deka Borbarua, son of Alun Dihingia Borbarua of Itakhuli fame, through the Dhansiri route, and another under the Pani Phukan, grandson of general Phul Barua of Saraighat fame, through the Kapili route.[5] The base of the expedition was made at Biswanath. Before the expedition, the Pani Phukan was honoured by the king with a silver encrusted hengdang.[6] The total force composed of 71,000 mens, where there were 3,304 hiloidaris (artillery men) under the Barbarua and 1,847 hiloidaris under the Paniphukan.[7]

The Borbarua with a contingent consisting of archers, baruwatis (shields man) and hiloidaris which numbered 37,000 men. The contingent of Pani Phukan contained 34,000 men, accompanied by a number of commanders along with the Chutia Konwar and the Rajas of Dimarua, Ghagua, Kumoi, Sojai, Panbari, Tiwa, Mikir and Topakuchi, were to march into Kachari country. The Ahom strategy was to attack from two sides so they could not concentrate their force on any one direction. The whole expedition was supervised by the king in Biswanath.

The Borbarua's route lay through Raha, Samaguting fort, Namira fort on Nomal Hill, Lathia Hill, Amlakhi, Tarang and Nadereng to Maibang and Mahur. In order to maintain communications and facilitate transmission of supplies, forts were constructed and garrisoned on the route. The Nagas gave trouble on the way but were effectively dealt by the Miri archers. Spies were employed to observe the movements of the enemy. The Kachari offered sporadic, though feeble resistance but could not prevent the Ahom advance. A large booty including a cannon and 700 guns was taken by the Ahoms at Maibong. The Pani Phukan's route lay through Raha, Salgaon, Lambur, Dharmapur, Demera and Nadereng to Maibong. As there was no regular road the army had to cut its way through dense jungle. A garrison of 3,000 men was left at Demera which was occupied; other places were sacked, 322 prisoners were taken. Meanwhile, the Pani Phukan came to know about the occupation of Maibang by the Barbarua and informed the king about the latter. The superior strength of the Ahom army overawed the Kacharis who could not repel the invasion. After the occupation of Maibang the king ordered further advance up to Khaspur to arrest the Kachari king. But at Maibong the troops suffered greatly because of the pestilential climate and many including the Borbarua fell ill. Supplies ran short. Inaction in place of vigour seized the camp. The Pani Phukan and other commanders were sent orders to march up to Khaspur, but could not march further as there was shortage of supply and many soldiers had died. The remaining soldiers too, were suffering from the pestilential climate of Maibang. But still accordingly, a contingent was sent to Khaspur and encamped at Mai-Lang-Dam. From there three messengers were sent to the Kachari raja to submit to Ahom king.[8]

On the other hand, the king ordered to bring the Borbaura along with the sick soldiers to Demera, the Borbarua, now seriously ill, died during the return journey to Demera[9] at Kelemu camp. At this point Rudra Singha decided upon to adandon the expedition and ordered the army to return.

In March 1707 the king recalled the Pani Phukan who brought back the whole force after demolishing the brick fort at Maibang, burning down houses there and erecting a thirteen feet high pillar to commemorate his success. Fortifications were made at Demera where a strong garrison was left, which had to be withdrawn by the king owing to sickness and mortality with the setting in of the rains. Terrified by the advancing Ahom armies, Tamradhvaj fled to Bikrampur and sent an urgent appeal for help to Ram Singh, King of Jaintia Kingdom.[10]

Ahom cavalry men armed with bows and spears

Tamradhvaj fled to Bikrampur and sent an urgent appeal for help to Ram Singh, Raja of Jaintia, on the withdrawal of the Ahom forces, he sent a second message to Ram Singh, saying that help was not necessary. Ram Singh now decided to take advantage of the dispersal of the Kachari troops by the Ahoms, hatched a treacherous plan to seize the person of the Kachari king with a view to gaining possession and control of the Kachari kingdom; under the pretext of a friendly meeting he seized Tamradhvaj along with his wife and carried him off to the Jaintia capital, Jaintipur.

The Kachari queen still in captivity, managed to send a message to Rudra Singh through a 'Bairagi', asking for forgiveness and begging for deliverance from his captor. Rudra Singh sent word to Ram Singh through - the Ahom officer in charge of the Ahom outpost at Jagi, demanding immediate release of Tamradhvaj. Ram Singh refused, Rudra Singh closed the market at Gobha on which the Hill Jaintias depended for their supplies. Rudra Singh made preparations for invasion of Jaintia territory. Rudra Singha established his headquarters at Misa for the expedition. He sent two divisions of the army, one under the Borbarua and other under the Borphukan.[11]

In December, 1707, Surath Singha Borbarua with a force of 43,000 men and number of commanders, was to march towards Jaintiapur via the Kopili valley and the Kachari country[12] And the other division under the Borphukan advanced from the Barkharoi camp by the Gobha route, he was accompanied by the king of Darrang and the Phukan under the Buragohain, a Dafla and a Miri contingent and two Deodhai pandits accompanied him. The Solal Gohain, Duwalia Phukan and the Duwalia Rajkhowas were stationed at Gobha for supply of provisions.

The Dimasa king Tamardhwaj Narayan and the Jaintia King Ram Singh prostrating before Rudra Singha. c. 1708.

The Borbarua reached Sampai easily and here a Kachari deputation assured that nothing was to be feared from the neighbouring Naga tribes . He proceeded to Bikrampur and during his march he sent messengers in advance to reassure the people who came and paid their respects and were glad that the forces needed no supplies of provisions from them. The Borbarua desisted his soldiers from ravaging Kachari villages and, assured the latter, and offered presents to help them against the Jaintias.[13]

After the Ahom force reached Mulagul, Ram Singh was called upon to surrender Tamradhvaj and his family and officers. Envoys were sent to Nawab of Sylhet informing the purpose of mission and reiterating friendship.

Ram Singh prepared for fight, but the nobles who tried to dissuade him from his present adventure would not allow him to escape scotfree. He therefore proceeded towards the Borbarua camp for making his submission, escorted by twenty elephants. Near the camp he was made to dismount and ride on horse-back, unattended. After the interview he was not allowed to return but was made a captive by the Borbarua[14] The Barphukan reached Gobha on 20 January 1708,[13] conciliated the Chiefs of Gobha by presents. His forces on the march were harassed by the Garos at several places. The Garos attacked his men, while they were clearing routes. However, they were dispersed with guns and arrows. His route from Jagi lay through Gobha, Athitbhaga Lachor Hill, Buritikar Hill, the Barpani River banks and Pavanai to Jaintipur. In certain engagements the Jaintias fared well but were ultimately worsted by the Ahoms who had the advantage of superior number and strength and reinforcernents at crucial moments. In another fierce battle the Ahoms killed a number of Jayantia commanders, captured 12 of them along with 20 soldiers and 20 elephants.[15]

After this battle the Jaintia king was compelled to surrender the Kachari king along with all his associates to Borbarua on 11 February 1708. After that both the Borbarua and Borphukan resumed their march towards the Jaintia king, then the Jaintia king along with his son submitted to Borbarua.

Rudra Singh ordered the captive kings to be brought to him along with the Jaintia King's garments, jewels, arms, elephants and horses and the Jaintia king's treasures to be divided amongst the troops. The Ahom subjects who had fled to Khaspur during Mir Jumlah's invasion were brought back and an army of occupation under the Borbarua and the Borphukan was stationed at Jaintiapur. Envoys were sent to the Muhammadan Faujdar of Sylhet to announce that the Kachari and Jaintia kingdoms had been annexed to the Ahom dominions.[16] Both the captive kings were presented before the Ahom king, and made to take made to take the oath of allegiance to him.[10]

These measures greatly irritated the Jaintia nobles who induced the Bar Dalai, the Raja of Khairam and the inhabitants of two hundred independent Khasi villages to join them in expelling the invaders. The Jaintias could not rescue their Raja as he was being taken to Gobha by a strong force, but they attacked eight forts with garrisons left by the Bar Phukan and took three of them. A detachment that was taking the copper image of the Goddess Jaintesvari to Rudra Singh was put to flight and the image was rescued. The Ahom soldiers, seized with panic, fled, pursued by the Jaintias. Rudra Singh sent up reinforcements including four thousand men under the Burhagohain. The Jaintia strategy of dispersing when attacked and of returning to the attack themselves thereafter made decisive victory impossible for the Ahoms. The Borbarua and Borphukan sent reinforcements from Jaintiapur, no doubt, but with the approach of the rains, it was thought unwise and dangerous to remain in hostile territory and retreat to Gobha was decided upon. Before departing, the Ahoms put to the sword a thousand inhabitants of Jaintipur and destroyed surrounding villages.[17]

For the ultimate failure of the expedition, Rudra Singh thought of punishing the Borbarua and the Barphukan but pardoned them on the intercession of other nobles. Rudra Singha severely punished those commanders who expressed unwillingness to march forward against the Jaintias. One ear Dayangia Hazarika and, one eye and ear of one Namatial Hazarika were cut and struck out. One Saikias, both ears, nose were cut off and, eye extracted. One Rajkhowa was also ordered to be beaten up, but upon the intercession of Borphukan, spared but was ordered to patrol with a load of sand by the side of rampart.[18]

In the course of the Jaintia rising, the Ahoms lost 2,366 men including 12 high-ranking officers. About 1,600 persons, chiefly Assamese refugees were brought from Khaspur and 600 from Jaintiapur. During the expedition 3 cannons, 2,273 guns, 109 elephants, 12,000 pieces of silver of the Muhammadan, Ahom, Koch and Jaintia mints and numerous utensils of gold, silver and other metals were taken. Certain articles of jewellery misappropriated by some officers had to be disgorged by them on detection.[19]

Rudra Singha subjugated the Kacharis and Jaintiyas. Who had become virtually independent during the period of the Mughal war in the 17th century.[20]

Royal hunting scene

Rudra Singha had deputed his agents, disguised as itinerant hermits, had visited different parts of India and collected information about the affairs of the Mughals. Rudra Singha was also informed of the plight to which Hindus had been rendered. He himself was humiliated by Murshid Quli Khan who sent to him robes as presents which were ment for the vassal chiefs.[21]

Another objective for the expedition to Bengal was, As said by Surya Kumar Bhuyan was- Assamese pilgrims also received obstruction from the Mughal officers in there visits to the Hindu shrines in India, specifically in connection with the pilgrimages to the Ganga. The humiliating overtures of Murshid Quli Khan urged Rudra Singha to check the tide of Mughal affronts, received not only by himself but also by his co-religionist.[22]

Rudra Singha was also motivated and inspired by the military achievements of his predecessors and other Assamese rulers. Leaving aside the victorious achievements of Kumar Bhaskarvarman and king Harshadeva of Kamarupa, the Ahoms had, during the reign of Swarganarayan Suhungmung Dihingia Roja (1497-1539) had conquered Bengal, wholly or partly and, then in the reign of Swargadeo Jayadhwaj Singha (1648-1663).

He then began to make elaborate preparations for a fresh war against Mughals with two ends in view namely, to oust them from their sovereign power in eastern India and to expand their territory to the Ahom kingdom as far as the Karatoya river to the west. Conveying a meeting with nobles and officers, the king expressed his desires thus Rudra Singha said:

"Well, I intend to invade the territories of lying between the boundaries of Dacca and Rangamati. What is your opinion"?"

The Borpatrogohain supported the king proposal and said:

"The king's proposal is reasonable.The territories bordering on the karatoya are ours. The enemies have got possession of them only on account of our indifference and inaction. The duty of the king is to destroy the enemy and to recover the lost possession with a view to preserving the ancient boundaries of his kingdom. We have a large fleet and naval soldiers and an abundance of war materials. If the king orders, the enemy will be crushed and destroyed"

The Borpatrogohain was supported by Burhagohain. But the king, who perhaps expected more inspiring words from the ministers was not satisfied with their tacit approval words from the minister and got angry and dismissed them. At this the Phukans and the Baruas came to support and said,

Oh king, you can dispense with the Gohains; command us and we shall attack the territories up to the boundaries of Decca

Rudra Singha was also was not to be discouraged.He carefully thought of his plan to create an opinion among the Hindu Rajah outside Assam. He invited scholars and artist, musicians and artisans and religious men and medicants with due honour and sent monetary presents to those scholars and Brahmans, who couldn't come so far to Assam. He also attempted to organise a confederacy of the Rajas of Hindustan and sent messages to several Rajas and Zamindars, this included Twipra (and Morang, Bana-Vishnupur, Nadiya, Cooch Behar, Burdwan, and Barahanagar) kingdoms to remove the Mughals from Bengal[23] He appealed to their religious sentiments, which is evident from the letters sent to the king of Tripura Ratna Manikya II, where he wrote:[24]

This has become very widely current among the people that owing to the hostile actions of the Mughals, the religion as inculcated in the Vedas does not get any protection. For this, if it appears to you to be the right thing to put a stop to this situation by some action, then please write to me in detail about your strength and aptitude after discussing with the big personage with whom you have friendship...[25]

Rudra Singha then augmented his army, his artillery and his navy. The local levies were trained on up-to-date lines. He raised a numerous cavalry and trained the elephants to withstand fights. During this preparations he adopted mesausres to obtain good will of the inhabitants of Bengal in order to render his supremacy acceptable to them.[26]

Fakuwa Doul, constructed near the Bor Duar (Main-Gate) one of the most unique temples constructed during that time

Rudra Singha held a council of three days with the three Great Gohains, Baruas, Phukans, and the Rajkhowas, in which an exact register was taken of the various Corps which formed the army. The Upper province including the natives of Assam furnished 3,60,000 men and the vassal chiefs with 40,000 men. Out of which 2,60,000 men were effective .[27] The king however desired more reduction in the army, and only wanted the ablest of soldiers in the expedition, and sent the ineffective men back for cultivation.

The army of Rudra Singha was joined by the armies of Kachari and the Jayantia Rajas along with the vassal chieftains and the Daflas[28] of the north hills of the Darrang, total mobilised a strong army which total numbered 4,000,00 of whom 16,000 were sent back as being inefficient for the expedition, there were further talks of reduction in army, was assembled at Guwahati . An advance contingent was sent to the Kandahar Chokey ( Western border) to erect encampments for the armies of the Swargadeo and the princes on the banks of Manas River, and to provide six boats with provisions for every Crops of one thousand men and two hundred thousand rupees for the purchase of salt, oil, and other alimentary articles.[29]

The whole expedition of Bengal was thought to start in November 1714 after the autumn harvest which would provide an abundant supply for the army, and that might be proper to consult the Pundits, Ganaks and, the Bailungs to appoint a fortunate day for the march.[29] Just before the expedition could start the Swargadeo Rudra Singha was seized by a dangerous malady, died on August 27, 1714.[30] His immediate successor gave up on his plan.[31]

Later towards his life he inclined towards Shaktism and thought of becoming an orthodx Hindu, and invited Krishnaram Bhattacharya from Nabadwip, Bengal to take him as his religious guide, and desired to take his initiation, after having promised to given the management of Kamakhya Temple. But sent him back him back after arriving, Krishnaram Bhattacharya went back with fury, and when several earthquakes occurred, noticing this Rudra Singha thought him as a favourite of God, re-called Krishnaram back to take his initiation, but died before he could arrive. But, he on his death-bed injunction advised his sons to take his initiation.

• In honour of the memory of his mother Joymoti Konwari, he dug the Joysagar Tank, India's largest man-made tank covering an area of 318 acres (1.29 km²), including its four banks.
  

  Joysagar Lake in Sibsagar
• In 1703, he built the Rangnath Dol near the Borduar, or main gateway, on the way from the Joysagar Tank to the Talatal Ghar - for the offering of prayers to Shiva.
• Before the Ranganath Dol, a pyramid-shaped temple named Fakuwa Dol was constructed in 1703–04, for the celebration of Holi
• Numerous other architectural monuments and structures are credited to him, including the Namdang stone bridge of Gaurisagar, and the Kharikatia Ali (ali meaning road in Assamese) - leading from Kharikatia to Titabor. The Namdang bridge, a stone bridge 60m long, 6.5m wide, and 1.7m thick was built over the Namdang River in 1703. It is one of the best examples of the engineering workmanship and skill of the Ahom era. This bridge, on National Highway no.37, has been proudly providing service for the last 300 years.

Take your seats, remain in friendship; You will thus all become Monarchs in your turns. Nothing will succeed if you are inimical to one another. If any attempts are made to place you at variance and many will be made, listen not to suggestion of that kind, but remain united. I had formerly two brothers, but listening to the suggestion of enemies, I drove away the younger. I now perceive my error; continue therefore in friendship, and all your pursuits will succeed; if you prove enemies, nothing. Old and young, you shall all be Kings successively. I have subdued the countries that surrounded my dominions; I proposed the reduction of the provinces contiguous to the Karatoya river: but my design must perish with me, for who will be found capable to pursue my plans?[41]"