Matak rajya
| Matak Rajya | |
|---|---|
| 1805–1839 | |
| Capital | Bengmara (present-day Tinisukia) |
| Area | |
• | 4,661 km2 (1,800 sq mi) |
| Government | |
| Barsenapati | |
• 1791–1805 | Mejera |
• 1805–1839 | Matibar |
• 1839–1839 | Maju Gohain |
| History | |
• Foundation of the Matak Kingdom | 1805 |
• Annexed to British India | 12 November 1839 |
| Today part of | India |
Matak rajya or Matak kingdom was a 19th-century autonomous region within the Ahom kingdom in Assam. It was governed by the Barsenapati ("Great General").[1][2]
History
This autonomous region was established by an agreement in 1805 between the Purnanada Burhagohain and Sarbananda Singha, the leader of the Moamorias in Bengmara (present-day Tinsukia town), where it was agreed that the Ahom kingdom would recognise the region as Matak rajya ("Matak kingdom") under the leadership of the Barsenapati ("Great General") and Sarbananda Singha would pay an annual tribute.[3] The agreement was the result of the Moamoria rebellion and the dangers the weakened Ahom kingdom was facing from different directions—and the establishment of the autonomous region resulted in the end of the rebellion and Moamoria antagonisms against the Ahom state.[4] Sarbananda was followed by his son, Matibar, as the Barsenapati who in turn remained loyal to the Ahom kingdom.[5]
The Matak or Mayamara community comprised several social factions which retained distinct ethnic identities, including Ahom Mataks, Chutia Mataks, Kalita Mataks, Moran Mataks and Kaivarta Mataks. Historian Dambarudhar Nath notes that following the establishment of the autonomous territory, Sarbananda Singha identified himself as a Chutia of the Buruk branch. Nath interprets this assertion of Chutia identity as connected with the earlier Chutia resistance following the loss of their kingdom to the Ahoms. He further notes that after Sarbananda's assumption of power and assertion of a Chutia identity, the Morans, who had spearheaded the revolt, became politically sidelined and were concentrated in the forested areas away from the capital at Tinsukia.[6]
In 1826, when the Ahom kingdom fell to the Burmese Konbaung dynasty, the Matak rajya was the only one to maintain its independence.[7]
Later, it came under the protection of British rule, and finally the British took complete control in 1839.[8]
Government
The Barsenapati was the nominal head of this region, with the actual power resting with the council of village headmen ("Council of Elders"). The people paid no tax, but paid personal service—a prime cause of immigration from the region under Purandar Singha.[9]
Notes
- ↑ "The Burhagohain, therefore, entered into an agreement with Sarbananda Singha, the chief of the Moamariyas of Bengmara, by which he ceded to the latter the territory between the Brahmaputra and the Buri Dihing on an autonomous basis and recognised his title Barsenapati or the 'Great General' (Baruah 1986:353)
- ↑ Dutta 1985, p. 188.
- ↑ "Accordingly, an agreement was made in 1805 ... The Moamariya chief, in his turn, agreed to pay the Ahom Government an annual tribute, consisting of ivory, muga silk, and such other articles produced in his territory." (Baruah 1993:164)
- ↑ (Baruah 1993:164)
- ↑ "Sarbananda was succeeded by his son Matibar, who remained loyal to the Ahom Government." (Baruah 1993:164)
- ↑ Nath, Dambarudhar (2008). "The Mataks and their Revolt against the State in 18th Century Assam: Searching for Ethno-Religious Roots". In Ray, Jayanta Kumar; Roy, Arpita Basu (eds.). Political Roles of Religious Communities in India (PDF). Stockholm: Institute for Security and Development Policy. p. 120.
The assertion of the Chutiya identity on the part of Sarbananda Singha can thus be seen as having a link with the Chutiya revolt after they had lost their state to the Ahoms.
- ↑ (Nag 2018:14)
- ↑ Dutta 1985, p. 187.
- ↑ Baruah 1993, p. 165.
References
- Nag, Sajal (2018), Devour thy Neighbour: Foreign Invasions and the Decline of States in Eighteenth Century North East India
- Baruah, S L (1986), A Comprehensive History of Assam, Munshiram Manoharlal
- Baruah, S L (1993), Last Days of Ahom Monarchy, Munshiram Manoharlal
- Dutta, Sristidhar (1985), The Mataks and their Kingdom, Allahabad: Chugh Publications