FYUG Even Semester Exam, 2025
History of Assam (1228 to 1826 CE)
Course No.: HISDSC-252

Define the term 'Buranji'.

'Buranji' is a class of historical chronicles associated with the Ahom kingdom, written initially in the Ahom language and later in Assamese. The word is derived from the Tai word 'Bu' (ignorant), 'Ran' (teach), and 'Ji' (store), meaning "a store of knowledge that teaches the ignorant."

Mention two archaeological sources of the history of medieval Assam.

• Stone Inscriptions: Such as the Kanai-boroxiboa rock inscription.
• Architecture: Monuments like the Kareng Ghar (Gargaon) and Rang Ghar (Sibsagar).

Name two ethnic groups of medieval Assam.

• The Ahoms
• The Kacharis

Discuss the literary sources for the history of Assam from 1228 to 1826.

Literary sources provide the backbone for reconstructing the medieval history of Assam. They can be categorized as follows:

• Buranjis: These are the official chronicles of the Ahom court. They recorded political events, diplomatic relations, and administrative orders with high chronological accuracy.
• Vamsavalis: These were family genealogies, primarily maintained by the Koch and Kachari dynasties, providing insights into royal lineages.
• Biographies (Charit-Puthis): These documents, centered around the lives of Vaishnava saints like Srimanta Sankardev, offer vital information on the social, cultural, and religious life of the period.
• Foreign Accounts: Accounts by Persian historians (like Shihab-ud-din Talish’s Fathiyya-i-Ibriyya) and later British records provide an external perspective on Ahom-Mughal conflicts and the socio-economic state of Assam.

Explain the significance of Buranji in the traditional historical writing of the Ahoms.

Buranjis represent a unique tradition of historiography in India. Their significance includes:

• Secular Nature: Unlike many medieval texts, Buranjis were largely secular, focusing on statecraft, warfare, and administration rather than religious mythology.
• Administrative Utility: They served as reference manuals for future kings and officials to understand past treaties, boundaries, and precedents.
• Chronological Precision: The Ahoms maintained a rigorous system of dating using the Lakni (60-year cycle) or Saka era, making Buranjis highly reliable historical records.
• Linguistic Evolution: They document the shift from the Tai-Ahom language to the development of early Assamese prose.

Who were the Ahoms?

Who was Sukapha?

Chaolung Sukapha was the founder of the Ahom kingdom in Assam. He is revered as the architect of "Bor Asom" (Greater Assam) for his policy of integrating various local tribes.

Discuss the political conditions of Assam at the beginning of the 13th century.

At the dawn of the 13th century, Assam was a fragmented political landscape with several small and competing powers:

• Kamrupa/Kamata Kingdom: Occupying the western part of the Brahmaputra valley, it was the largest entity but faced internal instability and external threats from Bengal.
• The Kachari Kingdom: Located in central Assam and parts of the south bank, they were a powerful indigenous group.
• The Chutiya Kingdom: They ruled the northeastern region (Sadiya) and were known for their military strength and advanced metalworking.
• Bhuiyans: Small independent local landlords (Bhuyan chiefs) ruled pockets of territory in middle Assam.
• Tribal Chiefdoms: Various tribes like the Morans and Borahis held sway in the easternmost regions where Sukapha first entered.

Discuss the Ahom conquest and its foundation under Sukapha.

The foundation of the Ahom kingdom was a result of Sukapha's military discipline and diplomatic sagacity:

• The Migration (1228 CE): Sukapha crossed the Patkai hills with a small band of followers, including soldiers and administrative staff.
• Conquest of Local Tribes: He initially subdued the Moran and Borahi tribes. Instead of exterminating them, he treated them as equals and encouraged intermarriage.
• Settlement and Agriculture: Sukapha introduced wet rice cultivation, which provided the economic surplus necessary to sustain a standing army and a growing state.
• Establishment of Charaideo: In 1253 CE, he established Charaideo as the permanent capital, symbolizing the formal birth of the Ahom state.

Who was Bir Chilarai?

Bir Chilarai (Sukladhwaj) was the brother and commander-in-chief of the Koch King Nara Narayan. He was a legendary military genius known for his lightning-fast attacks.

Who was Mir Jumla?

Who was Lachit Barphukan?

Discuss the Ahom resistance against the Mughals under Lachit Barphukan, focusing on the Battle of Saraighat.

The Battle of Saraighat (1671) remains the most glorious chapter of Ahom military history:

• Context: After the humiliating Treaty of Ghilajharighat, King Chakradhwaj Singha resolved to expel the Mughals and appointed Lachit as the Barphukan (Commander).
• Strategic Planning: Knowing the Mughals were superior on land (cavalry), Lachit chose Saraighat, where the Brahmaputra is narrowest, to force a naval confrontation.
• The Fortification: Overnight earthen walls (Lachit Garh) were raised. Legend says Lachit beheaded his own uncle for negligence during this work, stating "My uncle is not greater than my country."
• The Battle: Despite being ill, Lachit personally led the naval charge. The Ahom fleet used superior maneuvering to devastate the Mughal navy led by Ram Singh.
• Outcome: The Mughals suffered a total defeat and retreated to the Manas river, ensuring Ahom sovereignty for decades.

When and between whom was the Battle of Ghiladhari fought?

State two causes of the downfall of the Ahom dynasty.

• Moamoria Rebellion: Civil wars that devastated the socio-economic structure.
• Burmese Invasions: Brutal foreign invasions that led to the Treaty of Yandabo (1826).

Critically analyse the rule of the Ahom dynasty under Rudra Singha.

Rudra Singha (1696–1714) is often regarded as the greatest Ahom monarch. His rule was marked by:

• Expansionism: He subdued the Kachari and Jaintia kingdoms, bringing them under Ahom suzerainty.
• Cultural Synthesis: He encouraged the study of Sanskrit and imported artists, architects, and scholars from mainland India (Bengal).
• Economic Growth: He established new markets (Hats) and encouraged trade with neighboring regions.
• Pan-Hindu Alliance: He attempted to form a confederacy of Hindu kings against the Mughal Empire, showcasing his grand political vision.
• Criticism: While he was a visionary, his shift toward Sanskritization began the slow alienation of traditional Ahom priestly classes.

What is Paik system?

Who introduced the Posa system in Assam, and when?

Discuss the Vaishnava reform movement in Assam led by Srimanta Sankardev.

Srimanta Sankardev (1449–1568) led the Neo-Vaishnavite movement, which transformed Assamese society:

• Eka Sarana Nama Dharma: He preached devotion to a single God (Krishna/Vishnu) through 'Nama' (chanting) rather than complex rituals or sacrifices.
• Social Equality: The movement was democratic and egalitarian, rejecting the caste system and inviting people from all tribes and backgrounds to the fold.
• Institutions (Sattras and Namghars): He established Sattras (monasteries) and Namghars (prayer halls) which served as the epicenter of social, cultural, and judicial life.
• Cultural Contribution: He introduced 'Borgeets' (devotional songs), 'Ankiya Naat' (one-act plays), and 'Sattriya Dance' (now a Classical dance of India).
• Impact: The movement unified the diverse ethnic groups of Assam under a common cultural and religious umbrella, creating a lasting identity.