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").
11-691: 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. The agreement
22-512: A rebellion broke out led by common weaver Harihar Tanti. They took over Rangpur . Many failed attempts were made to recapture the city. Purnananda spent most of his premiership in suppressing rebellions, forging diplomatic ties and fighting over the Barkandazes. Gaurinath Singha died in August 1795 without male issue. Purnanada installed Kinaram, a minor son of Charing Raja Kadam Dighala Gohain, on
33-732: A uniform and armed with flint-lock guns, purchased in Calcutta . Later the strength of the army was increased, divided into 18 companies of 100 sepoys each, and stationed at both Guahati and Jorhat . Chandra Gohain, related to the Burhagohain, was appointed Captain. With the aid of this force, the Burhagohain quelled the Moamariyas and other forces. In 1803 under the command of Bhadari Barbarua, Burhagohain attacked Kachari king Krishna Chandra because he refused to send back some fugitives. Purnananda entered into an agreement with Sarbananda Singha ,
44-547: The Burmese into Assam. The Burmese army numbered 16,000 troops and arrived in Namrup in early 1817. On hearing of the enemy's advance, the premier sent 7 companies of sepoys to stop them. The two parties entered into an encounter at Ghiladhari, where the enemy overcame the resistance. Burhagohain learned that the enemy was accompanied by Badan Chandra Borphukan . This enraged the Burhagohain so much that he collapsed and died. Purnananda
55-595: The Burmese Konbaung dynasty , the Matak rajya was the only one to maintain its independence. Later, it came under the protection of the British rule and finally the British took complete control in 1839. 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
66-600: The chief of the Moamariyas of Bengmara (present-day Tinisukia ), by which he ceded to the latter territory between the Brahmaputra and the Burhi Dihing and accepted his title Barsenapati (Great General). This territory was called Matak rajya or the Matak Kingdom. In return Sarbananda agreed to pay the Ahom government an annual tribute. Purnananda had a rivalry with Badan Chandra Borphukan . In 1817 Badanchandra brought
77-621: The region under Purandar Singha . Purnanada Burhagohain Purnananda Burhagohain was the Burhagohain (prime minister) of the Ahom Kingdom from 1782 until his death in 1817. He was appointed as the Burhagohain in April 1782 after the death of his father Rajmantri Ghanashyam Burhagohain . As premier, he advised the king to follow a conciliatory policy towards the Moamariyas, but
88-572: The throne. At his accession, Kinaram was given the Hindu name Kamaleshwar Singha and the Ahom name of Suklengpha. Impressed by the Company army's discipline and organization during Captain Welsh's expedition, and finding it difficult to recruit soldiers through kheldars , Purnananda undertook measures to create a regular standing army. He retained Dina and Fakirchand, two Hindustani sepoys . The troops were given
99-540: Was overruled by the other nobles. However, at his recommendation, the king permitted the Moamariya's to have their Guru, as the Moamariya had been without one since Ashtabhujdeva and Deka Mahanta Bayan (alias Gagini) were executed by the Ahom government after the reinstallation of Lakshmi Singha in 1770. Accordingly, they made Pitambardeva, a member of the last Mahanta's line, the head of their Satra in February 1785. In 1786
110-651: Was succeeded by his son Ruchinath. Ruchinath lacked his father's qualities. Meanwhile, the invaders continued their advance, defeating the Assamese army. Ruchinath failed to induce Chandrakanta Singha to retreat and was left alone with his adherents for Guwahati . Badan Chandra reached the capital. He let Chandrakanta Singha remain as the king, but became the de facto ruler with the title of Mantri Phukan. Badan Chandra immediately satisfied his grudge by ruthlessly killing and plundering Purnananda's relatives and supporters. Badan Chandra Borphukan Badan Chandra Barphukan
121-461: 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. Sarbananda was followed by his son, Matibar, as the Barsenapati who in turn remained loyal to the Ahom kingdom. In 1826, when the Ahom kingdom fell to
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