The Fugitive Ahom King- Jayadhwaj Singha

The kingdom of the Ahoms is famous for being the longest-ruling dynasty in North East India. While the mighty Ahoms fought back the Mughals under many circumstances, there were definitely times when even the kings had to take stern measures to save their kingdom. But, in this case, King Jayadhwaj Singha became famous for a very wrong reason- for deserting his kingdom.

The motif in Ahom flag. Image Source: Pinterest.

The period after the rule of Shah Jahan was not smooth. The war of succession was quite brutal. But, in the end, Aurangzeb turned out to be the successful one. After he acceded to the Mughal throne, Aurangzeb made sure to reward every noble who helped him succeed to the throne. One among them was Mir Jumla. He was rewarded with the rank of governor in Bengal in 1660.

When the capital of the Mughal empire was busy with the war of succession, the kings of border kingdoms took advantage of it. The Koch kingdom regained its lost territories. Taking notice of the example set by the Koches, the Ahoms under King Jayadhwaj Singha also reoccupied their lost territories. Once when Aurangzeb sat on the throne, he ordered Mir Jumla to regain the lost territories in the eastern frontiers. Mir Jumla was also to crush the ruling powers who dared to challenge the Mughals.

Mir Jumla was a strong administrator. Many historians and chroniclers have mentioned that Aurangzeb sent him towards Assam to keep him busy with expansions. Had he been in the Mughal capital, he could enter internal politics. Aurangzeb did not want to risk his throne for sure.

Assam under Jayadhwaj Singha was enjoying. They have regained their lost territories after all (and that too from the Mughals!). The situation tured grim when they received the news of Mir Jumla’s advancement towards the east. Jayadhwaj Singha now needed to make arrangements to thwart the Mughal army. He also needed time or, if by any chance it was possible, to avert a war.

But fate did not help him. Mir Jumla along with the Mughal army entered the Ahom kingdom. One after another, the Mughals took over Ahom territories and reached Gauhati (presently Guwahati). Even the titular kings of the Ahom suzerainty joined the Mughal force.  Jayadhwaj Singha kept on sending forces to assist the Ahom army. But, Mir Jumla kept on winning against them and finally reached the Ahom capital Gargaon.

Jayadhwaj Singha took to flight. He had to save himself. By no means, the Ahoms were going to surrender. He left the capital city and went at first to Charaideo and then later to Namrup. For this reason, he is popularly assigned the title of “Bhagania Raja” or the fugitive king by many early historians. But Jayadhwaj tried to send a peace proposal to Mir Jumla but to no results.

But soon, the Gods probably came to Ahom’s rescue. An epidemic spread in the Mughal camp. The Mughal army was falling prey to fever and dysentery while slowly taking their lives. According to sources, in a unit of 1500 soldiers, only 450 survived. Even among the ones who survived, they missed home. The northeastern weather did not favour them. They were losing their wealth. Only coarse red rice was available for them. The prices of other commodities rose.

Assam was turning costly for the Mughal army. One 'chilim' or pipe of tobacco was sold at Rs. 3. One tolah of opium was available at one gold 'muhar' and a seer of salt would cost Rs. 30.

Under all these circumstances, Mir Jumla decided to agree to the peace proposal given by the Ahom king. Therefore, the treaty of Ghilazharighat was signed. The Ahom king lost one of his daughters to the Mughal harem and became a tributary king of the Mughals. But, he could retain the Ahom throne.

Jayadhwaj Singha might be famous for abandoning the Ahom throne when the Mughals attacked them. But he was far-sighted. He did not have a male heir to the throne. On his deathbed, he summoned his ministers and ordered them to appoint their paramount lord and rule the kingdom as per the traditions. They could avoid brutal murders for the throne within the Ahom family and thus appointed an able king Chakradhwaj Singha to the throne.

History has turned him into mockery with the pseudo name dedicated to him. But Jayadhwaj Singha was much more than that. His far-sightedness and zeal to win back the Ahom throne are definitely applaudable. Although he had to abandon the throne for his safety and protection of the Ahom lineage, he made sure to get back into the Ahom throne.