“During the reign of the Ahom kings, there was never any conflict between Assam and Manipur. Neither there had any incident of attack by each other; rather, the two states had been living in harmony through marriage and other means. Manipur is a state in the northeastern part of India, with Nagaland to its north, Mizoram to its south, and the state of Assam to its west. To its east lies the Sagaing Region of Myanmar, and to its south lies the Chin State. The area of this state is approximately 8620.503 square miles. The main language spoken there is Meitei (Manipuri as per 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India).
In this article, I will discuss the cordial relationship between Assam and Manipur, particularly the story of Kuranganayani’s role in maintaining the harmonious relationship.
In 1751, during the reign of Ahom King Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha, his chief advisor was Gendhela Borbaruah, who had imprisoned Mohan Malak and exiled him to Namrup. Gendhela was very arrogant, ambitious, and stubborn. He was so stubborn that he had even conspired against his own father to become the Borbaruah. Due to his arrogance and ambition, there were many problems in the Ahom kingdom. As a result, the Moamoria rebellion began which lasted for about 20 years and it weakened the Ahom kingdom. Gendhela had become so powerful that he was disliked by the king’s officials and other nobles. Gendhela was aware of all the state’s affairs and politics. However, the king still respected him and by knowing this, Barbaruah’s servants disturb peoples in different ways by taking bribes from them. The time passed on.
That year, in the month of “Bhadra”, the king of Burma, ‘Alaungpaya’, invaded Manipur. After defeating the king of Manipur in a battle near ‘Pallel’, he captured the capital. Later, after hearing about the rebellion in “Maandesh”, that is, Myanmar, he left Manipur after staying for about 13 days. During this time, the king of Manipur, ‘Jai Singh’, had already sought the help of the East India Company, which had conquered India. Although the company’s soldiers came from Chittagong to Manipur, they returned due to political reasons. Jai Singh again captured the throne of Manipur. In 1765, the Burmese invaded Manipur again and captured it. King Jai Singh fled to Cachar. The Burmese tortured the Manipuris and installed a person named Iringba as the king and returned to their country. Meanwhile, Jai Singh returned and removed Iringba from the throne of Manipur and took over the responsibility of the kingdom himself again. Hearing that the Burmese were coming again; Jai Singh was defeated again in a battle at a place called ‘Langthabal’ and this time he fled to Assam. Meanwhile, the Burmese installed ‘Khairang’ as the king of Manipur and returned again. Immediately thereafter, Jai Singh, taking shelter with the king of Cachar, sought help from the Ahom king and sent a letter to him. After discussing with his ministers, Swargadeo Rajeswar Singh called Jai Singh to Rangpur. Jai Singh came to Rangpur with 4,000 Paik guards and was given a place to stay near the Dikhow River. After discussions, Swargadeo appointed Harnath Borbaruah, the grandson of Rangachila Borbaruah, as the commander and sent him to Manipur with 40,000 soldiers. The king of Manipur namely Jai Singh was also given the responsibility of showing the way to Manipur.
They decided to leave the old path of Nagaon Raha gate; so they had to take a different route via Diphu. This path was full of obstacles due to dense forest and creepers. It took sufficient time to clear the way, resulting in many soldiers falling ill and some of them died. Finally, on June 5, 1766, Harnath Borbaruah returned with a few soldiers. This was known as the ‘Lata Kata Ran’ in history. Meanwhile, the Ahom soldiers’ advance towards Manipur was reported to the “Maan”, who retreated from Manipur. Later on, when the Ahom soldiers retreated, the “Maan” king reoccupied Manipur, and Jai Singh had again sought help from the Ahom king. This time, Uma Khangia Phukan was appointed as the commander, and he was sent to Manipur via the usual route with 30,000 soldiers. He destroyed three forts, and the “Maan” king retreated again. Khangia Phukan did not trust the “Maan” king and sent Jai Singh with 10,000 Assamese soldiers, Nagas, and some Manipuri deserters to reoccupy the throne. He also instructed the Assamese soldiers not to return from Manipur until the timer Jai Singh settles there permanently. Meanwhile, Jai Singh drove away Kelemba, who had been made the king of Manipur by “Maan” and captured Manipur kingdom. Later, Jai Singh’s two sons, Madhusudan and Labanyachandra, were captured in war and taken to Manipur, but Jai Singh cleverly rescued them and expelled the “Maan” from Manipur. After this, the Ahom king ordered Phukans to gather information about Manipur. Phukan sent Monmath Borah to Manipur with 200 soldiers. The Manipur king Jai Sing treated Monmath Borah with respect and expressed gratitude to the Ahom king, saying that he had been able to regain his kingdom due to the Ahom king’s favor. Jai Singh also agreed to give his brother Gour Shyam’s daughter, Kuranganayani, in marriage to the Ahom king. The Ahom king agreed, and Kuranganayani was sent to Gargaon with great fanfare, accompanied by Sammath Borah, Manipuri Kotoki Shiramoni, and Nanangk, along with other gifts. Upon receiving the news, the Swargadeo sent his main officials to Tengabari to bring the princess with great respect. He himself also went ahead and waited at Sonari town. Although Kuranganayani was the daughter of Gour Shyam, it was said that she was adopted by Jai Singh. She was imbued with unparalleled beauty, courage, and political wisdom. She was extremely beautiful, brave, and knowledgeable in politics, and was an exceptionally intelligent princess. Meanwhile, 200 Munihs (man) and Tirutas (woman) came from Manipur with horses and elephants. Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha built a royal palace near Sonari town. This Sonari town was located on the banks of the Sonai River, 12 miles west of Gaurisagar, near the Dihing River. Here, the kingdom’s chief official, Kirtichandra, took on the role of Kuranganayani’s father and performed the ‘Chaklong’ ceremony, giving her to Swargadeo in marriage, along with golden clothes, ornaments, and other gifts. He also gave a ‘ghat’ on the banks of the Sonai River, naming it ‘Maglau Ghat’. ‘Maglau’ means Manipuri. Now, it is known as ‘Malau Ghat’. A pond was dug for drinking water and named ‘Maglau Pukhuri’. Kuranganayani was given the title of Queen (Rajmaharshi) by Swargadeo. This princess had quickly gained the trust of everyone in the kingdom and had become influential in the kingdom’s governance. At that time, the kingdom’s chief official, Kirtichandra Borbarua, had become very powerful due to his role in making Rajeswar Singh the Swargadeo and performing the Chaklong ceremony with the Manipuri princess. He had become disobedient to the kingdom’s officials and was doing whatever he wanted. He was a disciple of the ‘Kal Sanghiti Dihing Satra’ and had insulted the mahant of that satra by giving them a lower seat in the royal court and calling them ‘Mayamara Mahanta’. He had proposed to Swargadeo that all four satras should be given equal respect. But his proposition did not materialize due to the protest by ministers and officials who did not like Kirtichandra’s activities.
On the 20th day of the month of “Jeth” in 1769, being a Tuesday, Swargadeo died at Deragaon “Bahar”. His younger brother, 53-year-old Kalshiliya Gohain, was made the king of Assam at Deragaon by making temporary “Singori ghar”. During this Swargadeo’s time, the power of the Borbarua had increased. He had insulted Mayamara Mahanta again. After that, Mayamara Satra’s disciple and Moran leader Nahar Saikia and Raghav Moran were given punishment and humiliated when they come to give elephants. To take revenge for this humiliation, all the Goshains, Mahants, and others united. Astabhuj Gosain said, “This is not a logical decision. Earlier, Indrabansi king had come and caused great suffering in this country. We were established by those kings. Now, we will make Indrabansi’s descendant the king, and we will unite with our devotees and friends. We will take officials from both sides. No one will be killed in the war. If Indrabansi’s descendant becomes the king, it will be beneficial for the future. If you become the king, you will die, and we will be killed. You don’t know how to rule. Do not bring the wife of Bamun devotee. You will change the game and appoint new officials. If this decision leads to death along with your son, then so be it. In October 1769, this rebellion sparked, and the people revolted against the royal family. Hatichungi Raghav Moran took the lead in this rebellion.”
From Namrup, they stopped Chesat and built forth there, in Brahmaputra’s north and south banks everywhere rebellion started. The royal family’s condition worsened. The king went, and the news spread to the rebel leader Raghav Moran that the king had left his kingdom come immediately to capture the city. That night, at around 2 am, Raghav Moran entered the city and brought it to his control. Swargadeo was staying at Sonari, and Raghav Moran sent 400 Moran soldiers to capture him and bring him to Rangpur. Swargadeo was insulted and imprisoned at Joydoul. Kirtichandra was imprisoned in a boat and killed the next day. His son, Paramananda, was made the new king and named Ramakanta. This was not discussed with Saptabhuj-Ashtabhuj Gohain. Raghav Moran sat on the throne and ordered to kill Mohan Mala and his nephew.This was in 1769, Raghav Moran became the new Borbarua. As soon as he became Borbarua, he announced that he would marry 100 women, and he took Rupabati and Bhuvaneswari, the daughters of Lakshmi Singha, and other Gohain Phukan Baruas’ wives as his own. Kuranganayani, who was treated like a mother by Lakshmi Singha, was also taken as his wife. The old Mahanta had told Raghav that not to marry the wife of Bamun devotee; but Raghav disobeyed his Guru’s word. If Kuranganayani was not given a place in the borghor (main house), the pages of the Assam Buranji would have been torn apart.”
Borbarua Raghav Moran took the officials like Burah Gohain, Borpatra Gohain, and others from Morans. He made “Ligiri Kaari” as the Bar Phukan. He took all the officials like Soi Phukan, Chaidhara Rajkhowa from Morans. Then, Ramakanta went to the house of the jutia Pota Gohain. From there, he went to Auni Aati, Daksinpat, Garamur, and Karuabahi Satra and gave 8000 and 4000 rupees to the Goshains. After that, he killed Burah Gohain, Bor Gohain, Kirti Chandra Borbarua, his son Chandrahas Deka Borbarua, Deka Phukan, and Kathkatiya Borbarua. Ahom king Lakshmi Singha was also beaten with Chamata (hunter) and also imprisoned in Joydoul. Astabhuj Gohain cursed Raghav Moran for this act. After some days, Raghav Borbarua told Ramakanta, “I will fight a war and capture the city. I had captured the king and imprisoned him. Now I am all in all in this kingdom so give “Kekurakhula” to me, he asked the king. The king immediately replied, “I won’t give it to you. This is meant only for kings, not for Borbaruas. Raghav got annoyed and rushed to Sepon. Later on, Ramakanta called him. Raghav Borbarua was also sad to know that the Gagini Deka was also ignored; he just told this. Saptabhuj Gohain claimed that organizing paiks, convincing the Gaonburah and fighting with the aid of Morans, I conquered the kingdom. Inspite of that depriving me you have made Ramakanta, the king. Raghav Barbaruah and his supporters asserted that uttered in one tone that under no circumstances we would make you the king. Then Saptabhuj Gohain acclaimed “let me see what can I do”? This time the confusion and dissention cropped up among Raghav and other supporters. Then Buragohain cursed Raghav, saying, “You won’t be able to enjoy Bihu this year.
In 1691, Ramakanta brought out a nine cornered silver coin with the royal seal. The rule of Raghav Borbarua and Ramakanta was not liked by the Goshains and the common people. This was known to Kurangnayani, the Manipuri princess living in Raghav’s royal house. The special officials who had fled away from the kingdom also knew about it.
Lakshmi Singha’s trusted servant ‘Sonai’ sent a message to Swargadeo through Ligiri, with the help of Bar Kowari and Parbatiya Kowari, of the effort to free the king. Kuranganayani took the lead. One day, some Deodhais and others who were tortured by Raghav entered the Jerenga field and decided to capture Raghav. Bailung said, “Those who ate the king’s salt should either join with the rebels or stay away.Be it as it may, Ghanshyam Gohain, Bhulukha Thenga Deka Phukan, and Moran Bari Hazarika should also be called to join the expedition.
Kekeru kalita was given the responsibility to advice and convince Kuranganayani. He was a wise man from Borgohain Bilat.
Raghav had given the beautiful Manipuri princess Kuranganayani a place in the king’s royal house, but he was not aware about her intention. They planned to capture Raghav during the Bohag Bihu. As planned, Ghanshyam Bora Gohain and Bailung Bor Gohain pretended as the main Bihua taking Chekoni and Tangun with them. They wore traditional Bihu attire, with a takun in their hands.
Meanwhile, Bohag Bihu arrived, and most of the rebel soldiers left the capital to celebrate the bihu. Only Ramakanta, Raghav Moran, and a few guards remained in the capital. On the very day of Bohag bihu, Kuranganayani told Raghav that it is a tradition to stay in Bajghar at day and night after prostrating before the king. All the paiks were came to offer the “bihuwan” with reverence to the Barboruah.
After returning from the king’s palace, Raghav Moran was told by Kuranganayani convincingly “you are not only my husband but also the king of the country and after Bokotial you are the guardian of this kingdom”. She further said, “I have sent messengers in all directions to gather information, and I have come to know that “Bokotial” is the enemy of the country. You have more sympathy on your devotees, but your own devotees are also not having mutual understanding. You should settle the matter with your devotees and make the country prosperous. You will enjoy the benefits of the kingdom generation after generation. Today, on the occasion of Bihu, everyone will serve you. You will stay in the royal palace”.
In the meantime, Kuranganayani secretly sent a message to Swargadeo, who was imprisoned in Jaydoul, through Ligiri and Sonai. After that both Raghav Moran and Kuranganayani went to the royal palace and Raghav was respectfully requested to sit on Tamulipira (a decorated wooden tool for only royal personalities) and offered him pitha (a kind of cake), paraman (a rice cooked in meal and sugar), dai-chira (curd and flattened rice), sandah-hurum (dry grinded rice- swollen rice prepared over heated sands on a fried pan), gur-gakhir (molasses- milk), and “maihang” and other kinds of food to eat. The people served him, considering it a Bihu day, and offered him clothes, goods, and other gifts. Seeing so much respect and gifts, Raghav Moran was very pleased. At that time, Kekeru kalita came to see the queen and on seeing this, Raghav asked, “Who is the person to whom you have given to the bihu jalpan (traditional tiffin)?” The queen replied, “this is my adopted son, I had bought my son when he was small. Bhaga Raja had tried to cut him, but he was hidden and now it has come to the king’s notice.” The queen smiled and said, Keep the boy inside the house. When the time comes, I will use him for my work, Raghav Moran said. Alright-“The boy is loyal but very smart and expert in all work”, Kuranganayani said.
Already all the rajagharia (royal personalities) gathered at Mesagarh Juktoli field and at night sang together aligning with Tukonor giriponi geet i.e. “raij o jorou rua” and reach at Rangpur’s “borduar” entrance. By then, Barbaruah after taking the meals in the yard of the Royal palace and went to bed.
This time, the Huchori (bihu performers) group went out of the living room. Then they went from the outer courtyard to the inner courtyard and started singing the Huchori. There was a son of Daulbandhabar Gohain in the Huchori group they are the sons of Bailung, Koigayan Buragohain, Faidia Hazarika, Hazarika of Maran Patar clan, two brothers and two grandfathers of Bhadra Sen of Baktial clan, Baghmua – Buragohain Paria Deobilia of Lahan clan, Ramnath Dafla Duwaria, Gharar Mohan, Kahan Hazarika etc. Kekeru Kalita was already inside the Raj Hauli. By hearing the hue and cry of huchori Raghav asked Kuranganayani about it and Kurnganayani replied with a smile- headed by Govinda the Gaonburah of Hogun Murir has come to bless you by performing Huchori. Now get up. Raghav asked-‘What is the best thing to do now?’
The Queen Kuranganayani, who had already taken care of it, had four hundred rupees in one plate and two gamochas with clothes in the other and took Raghav by the hand and said, ‘Give it to the devotees and the people will love it and the devotees will bless you. There are four horais (a plate made of brass with long tool) in the hands of the two Maran ligiras and they went out. They also put some few banana leaves, a few feet away from the door and kept the money on the leaves. Meanwhile, Raghav also came out with a knife in his hand followed by Kuranganayani and Kekeru Kalita.
Kuranganayani took the knife from Raghav’s hand and said with a smile- “if you go to serve the devotee with a knife in your hand, the devotees will misunderstand it and the village headman will condemn it”.
By hearing the sweet words of love from Kuranganayani, Raghav replied with a smile- “you are absolutely right and Raghav in the tamuli chara (outer courtyard of the royal palace) began to pray the devotees”. Kuranganayani said- “go to courtyard, the devotees are there”.
This time Raghav went forward and rested on his right knee in the courtyard, raised his left foot and looked at the devotees and began to pray. Then the ‘Kekeru Kalita’ who was next to Raghav gestured with his eyes to the queen, Kuranganayani. Taking the opportunity, the queen used all her strength to stab Raghav in the legs with the knife. Raghav fell to the ground, unable to catch anything in the sudden attack. At that time, one hundred of Raghav’s wives in Raj Hauli came out with expressing extreme anger jumped on Raghav. They have killed Raghav with knives and sticks.
Immediately, Kahan and Apatate, struck the Nahar Ghura of the Ranganam Daul with a stick. They also killed Ranchandi Radha. Ramakant ran away. He too had already been captured and killed. When the news of Raghav’s death reached the royal family, they surrounded the entire capital. Many were either cut down or captured by the members of the royal family.
Kuranganayani ordered Ghanashyam Buragohain to release King Lakshmi Singha. On the very day Lakshmi Singha was rethroned at the kingdom. Lakshmi Singh appointed new officers to strengthen the administration of the kingdom. Raghav, to fulfill his revenge, murdered Kirtichandra and taken away hundred women to fulfill his desires. Helper Mohan Malak and his two sons were killed by giving poison. Later, he himself was betrayed for his politics. In this way Raghav was betrayed by Kuranganayani and killed in his own palace and immediately the Kishok Bidruh or First Moyamoriah Bidruh ended. It was Tuesday the day of Bohag Bihu. The courage, cleverness, intelligence and political wisdom of Kuranganayani were recalled by every Assamese people.
The writer is a Tai Ahom from Tingkhong, Dibrugarh District and Doctor by profession. He is the author of seven books i.e. “Lachit Borphokon”, “Etihasor pom khadi dudhor ali adee” in Assamese etc. He is a writer cum historian, a sportsman cum organizer and social worker.
