Sukhrangpha

Ahom dynasty
1 Sukaphaa 1228–1268
2 Suteuphaa 1268–1281
3 Subinphaa 1281–1293
4 Sukhaangphaa 1293–1332
5 Sukhrangpha 1332–1364
Interregnum 1364–1369
6 Sutuphaa 1369–1376
Interregnum 1376–1380
7 Tyao Khamti 1380–1389
Interregnum 1389–1397
8 Sudangphaa 1397–1407
9 Sujangphaa 1407–1422
10 Suphakphaa 1422–1439
11 Susenphaa 1439–1488
12 Suhenphaa 1488–1493
13 Supimphaa 1493–1497
14 Suhungmung 1497–1539
15 Suklenmung 1539–1552
16 Sukhaamphaa 1552–1603
17 Susenghphaa 1603–1641
18 Suramphaa 1641–1644
19 Sutingphaa 1644–1648
20 Sutamla 1648–1663
21 Supangmung 1663–1670
22 Sunyatphaa 1670–1672
23 Suklamphaa 1672–1674
24 Suhung 1674–1675
25 Gobar Roja 1675–1675
26 Sujinphaa 1675–1677
27 Sudoiphaa 1677–1679
28 Sulikphaa 1679–1681
29 Supaatphaa 1681–1696
30 Sukhrungphaa 1696–1714
31 Sutanphaa 1714–1744
32 Sunenphaa 1744–1751
33 Suremphaa 1751–1769
34 Sunyeophaa 1769–1780
35 Suhitpangphaa 1780–1795
36 Suklingphaa 1795–1811
37 Sudingphaa 1811–1818
38 Purandar Singha 1818–1819
39 Sudingphaa 1819–1821
40 Jogeswar Singha 1821–1822
41 Purandar Singha 1833–1838

Sukhrangpha was the king of Ahom kingdom from 1332 CE to 1364 CE. He had to face the revolt led by his youngest brother Chao Pulai or Tai Sulai (there are confusion in Ahom historians whether Chao Pulai and Tai Sulai were same or different personality. Eventually he came in terms with Chao Pulai (or Tai Sulai) by appointing him as Charing Raja, a newly created official post to administer the region of Charing. Later the post of Charing Raja was usually conferred to the heir apparent to the throne. It can be compared with the title of Prince of Wales of England, where the heir apparent to the throne was conferred with this title.

Ancestry and Accession

Sukhranphaa was the eldest son of Ahom king Sukhaangphaa’s four sons. After the death of his father, Sukhrangpha ascended the throne as the king of Ahom kingdom.[1]

Reign

At the onset of his reign, Sukhrangpha faced a serious threat from his youngest brother Chao Pulai (or Tai Sulai). Chao Pulai hatched a conspiracy to overthrow the regime of Sukhrangpha. The plot was detected, and Chao Pulai, being the son of Kamata princess Bhajani[2] (some account says Rajani) fled to Kamata kingdom. The king of Kamata being the uncle of Chao Pulai came to his aid. Chao Pulai gathered his supporters and along with troops sent by his uncle, the king of Kamata, marched against Sukhranphaa. Sukhrangpha was alarmed with these developments. He already received intelligence that his regime was unpopular among certain sections of people and also he was not sure regarding the loyalty of his troops. Sukhrangpha, therefore, avoided confrontation and reconciled with Chao Pulai.[3] He appointed Chao Pula as the Charing Raja, a newly created post to administer Charing, the tract around Joypur on the right bank of the Burhidihing river.[4] During Ahom period in Assam, the heirs apparent to the throne were appointed as Charing Raja. The objective of this appointment was to let the prince gain some experience of administration, before finally ascending the throne.[5] According to some historical accounts, the conspiracy of Chao Pulai was instigated by Chaopang Banduk Borgohain, while others say that it was him, who had poisoned the king’s mind against Chao Pulai.[6] But all agree that Chaopang Banduk Borgohain was the one to suffer, as he was dismissed from his office. His ultimate fate differ in different account, as some stated that Sukhrangpha had him executed for his crime[7] while another account stated that Chaopang Banduk Borgohain escaped being put to death under the king’s orders by concealing himself until the affair had blown over and later he was subsequently forgiven and taken back into favour.[8] The remaining period of Sukhrangpha’s reign was peaceful and without any major events. Eminent Assamese historian Gunaviram Barua stated in his documents that Sukhranphaa expanded his kingdom towards the bank of Brahmaputra river by defeating the neighbouring tribal chieftains, who were unable to face his prowess.[9]

Death

Sukhrangpha died in 1364 CE after a reign of thirty two years. Accounts differ regarding the events followed by his death. While earlier accounts claimed that after the death of Sukhrangpha, his brother Sutuphaa ascended the throne,[10][11][12] later historians Padmeshwar Gogoi and S. L. Baruah claimed that Sukhrangpha’s death was followed by a period of interregnum from 1364 CE to 1369 CE, before the nobles finally installed Sukhrangpha’s brother Sutuphaa on the throne. Dr. Romesh Buragohain wrote about the reason for the first interregnum as Sukhrangpha died with leaving a male heir to succeed him, the nobles took advantage of it and instead of inviting Sutuphaa to the throne, they went for an interregnum.[13]

Notes

  1. ↑ Gait E.A. A History of Assam 2nd edition 1926 Thacker, Spink & Co Calcutta page 81
  2. ↑ Barbaruah Hiteswar Ahomar-Din or A History of Assam under the Ahoms 1st edition 1981 Publication Board of Assam Guwahati page 31
  3. ↑ Gait E.A. A History of Assam 2nd edition 1926 Thacker, Spink & Co Calcutta page 81
  4. ↑ Barbaruah Hiteswar Ahomar-Din or A History of Assam under the Ahoms 1st edition 1981 Publication Board of Assam Guwahati page 31
  5. ↑ It should be noted that even though the official post of Charing Raja was created by Sukhrangpha, the town of Charing or Charing nagar was established by Ahom king Suhungmung or Dihingia Raja. Therefore all the Charing Raja appointed during the reign of Sukhrangpha to Suhungmung, use to administer the Charing region, from the Capital. After establishment of Charing nagar, during the reign of Suhungmung, the Charing Raja’s headquarters moves from Capital to Charing nagar. Ahomar Din or History of Assam under the Ahoms, Hiteswar Barbaruah, 1st edition 1981, Assam Publication Board, page 31
  6. ↑ Gait E.A. A History of Assam 2nd edition 1926 Thacker, Spink & Co Calcutta page 81
  7. ↑ Barbaruah Hiteswar Ahomar-Din or A History of Assam under the Ahoms 1st edition 1981 Publication Board of Assam Guwahati page 31
  8. ↑ Gait E.A. A History of Assam 2nd edition 1926 Thacker, Spink & Co Calcutta page 81
  9. ↑ Barua Gunaviram Assam Buranji or A History of Assam 4th edition 2008 Publication Board of Assam Guwahati page 55
  10. ↑ Barbaruah Hiteswar Ahomar-Din or A History of Assam under the Ahoms 1st edition 1981 Publication Board of Assam Guwahati page 32
  11. ↑ Barua Gunaviram Assam Buranji or A History of Assam 4th edition 2008 Publication Board of Assam Guwahati page 55
  12. ↑ Gait E.A. A History of Assam 2nd edition 1926 Thacker, Spink & Co Calcutta page 81
  13. ↑ Buragohain Dr. Romesh AHOM STATE FORMATION IN MEDIAEVAL ASSAM (1228-1714) Kritagya Publication 1st Edition 2007 Guwahati page 139

References