Recently, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways led a vibrant celebration of Assam Day, paying rich tributes to Chaolung Sukapha. This event highlighted the importance of his contributions to Assamese history.
Chaolung Sukapha was a visionary 13th-century ruler who founded the Ahom kingdom, which governed Assam for six centuries. He is often celebrated as the architect of “Bor Asom” or “greater Assam.” In Charaideo, he established his first small principality, laying the groundwork for the expansive Ahom kingdom.
Sukapha implemented a structured administration by dividing the kingdom into territorial units known as khels or phoids. Each unit was managed by an officer responsible for providing a set number of paiks. The paiks were able-bodied males required to perform labor and military service for the state. Every adult male aged between sixteen and fifty was registered as a paik, contributing to agriculture, construction, or warfare for part of the year. In return, they received land for personal cultivation.
Sukapha’s military strategies included guerrilla tactics tailored to the diverse terrain consisting of rivers, jungles, and hills, which proved effective during his reign.
The importance of Chaolung Sukapha, particularly in contemporary Assam, stems from his successful strategies for the assimilation of various communities and tribes. Rather than adopting an approach of annihilation, he focused on conciliation and integration. Sukapha fostered friendly relationships with tribal communities, notably the Sutias, Morans, and Kacharis, promoting unity and coexistence.
His legacy continues to influence the cultural and social fabric of Assam today, making him a pivotal figure in Assamese history.
Q1. Who was Chaolung Sukapha?
Answer: Chaolung Sukapha was a 13th-century ruler who founded the Ahom kingdom in Assam and is recognized for his contributions to Assamese culture and governance.
Q2. What is the significance of Assam Day?
Answer: Assam Day celebrates the rich cultural heritage and historical figures of Assam, including Chaolung Sukapha, emphasizing unity among diverse communities.
Q3. How did Sukapha govern the Ahom kingdom?
Answer: Sukapha divided his kingdom into territorial units called khels, managing resources efficiently through a structured system involving paiks for labor and military service.
Q4. What was the military strategy of Chaolung Sukapha?
Answer: Sukapha employed guerrilla tactics that suited the varied terrain of Assam, enhancing the military effectiveness of the Ahom forces against adversaries.
Q5. How did Sukapha promote community integration?
Answer: He adopted policies of conciliation and assimilation, fostering amicable relations with various tribes, which contributed to a cohesive Assamese identity.
Question 1: Who founded the Ahom kingdom in Assam?
A) Chaolung Sukapha
B) Rudra Singha
C) Sukha Singha
D) Gaurinath Singha
Correct Answer: A
Question 2: What was the primary military strategy used by Chaolung Sukapha?
A) Open battle
B) Naval warfare
C) Guerrilla tactics
D) Fortification
Correct Answer: C
Question 3: Which community did Chaolung Sukapha successfully integrate into the Ahom kingdom?
A) Bodos
B) Sutias
C) Kacharis
D) Both B and C
Correct Answer: D
Question 4: What was a paik in the context of Sukapha's governance?
A) A tribal leader
B) A soldier
C) An able-bodied male
D) A landowner
Correct Answer: C
Question 5: What was the significance of the Charaideo region for Sukapha?
A) It was his birthplace
B) It was where he established his first principality
C) It was a trade hub
D) It was a religious site
Correct Answer: B
Question 6: What does "Bor Asom" refer to in the context of Chaolung Sukapha?
A) Greater Assam
B) The capital city
C) A military strategy
D) A cultural festival
Correct Answer: A
Question 7: What approach did Sukapha take towards tribal communities?
A) Annihilation
B) Isolation
C) Conciliation
D) Assimilation
Correct Answer: C
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