ASSAM THROUGH THE AGES- AN
OVERVIEW
1. Who was the founder of the Ahom kingdom and when did he establish it?
Answer: Sukapha, a Shan prince from Mong Mao, was the founder of the Ahom kingdom.
He established it in 1228 AD.
2. What was the original homeland of the Ahoms?
Answer: The original homeland of the Ahoms was Mong Mao, a region in present-day
Yunnan province of China and Upper Burma (Myanmar).
3. What were the administrative units of the Ahom kingdom?
Answer: The Ahom kingdom was divided into several administrative units:
● Mel: The basic unit, comprising a few villages.
● Paik System: A labor system where individuals (paiks) rendered service to the state.
● Khel: Groups of paiks organized for specific tasks.
● Rajkhowas and Baruahs: High-ranking officials who administered large regions.
4. Explain the Paik system under the Ahom rule.
Answer: The Paik system was a form of forced labor under the Ahom kingdom. Every adult
male (paik) had to render service to the state for a certain period each year. Paiks were
organized into khels and were assigned tasks such as cultivation, construction, and military
service.
5. What was the role of the Borphukan in the Ahom administration?
Answer: The Borphukan was a high-ranking official appointed by the Ahom king to
administer the region west of Kaliabor (Lower Assam). He was responsible for maintaining
law and order, collecting revenue, and defending the kingdom against invasions from the
west.
6. Who were the Koch and what was their contribution to Assam's history?
Answer: The Koch were a powerful kingdom that rose to prominence in the 16th century in
western Assam and parts of Bengal. Their contribution includes:
● Expansion: They expanded their kingdom under Biswa Singha and Naranarayana.
● Administration: They developed an efficient administrative system.
● Culture: They promoted Assamese language and culture and patronized Hinduism.
7. Who was Chilarai and why is he famous in Assam's history?
Answer: Chilarai was the younger brother and commander-in-chief of the Koch king
Naranarayana. He is famous for his military prowess and conquests. He played a crucial role
in expanding the Koch kingdom and defeating many rival rulers.
8. What was the Battle of Saraighat and why is it significant?
Answer: The Battle of Saraighat was a naval battle fought in 1671 between the Ahoms and
the Mughals on the Brahmaputra River near Guwahati. It is significant because the Ahoms,
OVERVIEW
1. Who was the founder of the Ahom kingdom and when did he establish it?
Answer: Sukapha, a Shan prince from Mong Mao, was the founder of the Ahom kingdom.
He established it in 1228 AD.
2. What was the original homeland of the Ahoms?
Answer: The original homeland of the Ahoms was Mong Mao, a region in present-day
Yunnan province of China and Upper Burma (Myanmar).
3. What were the administrative units of the Ahom kingdom?
Answer: The Ahom kingdom was divided into several administrative units:
● Mel: The basic unit, comprising a few villages.
● Paik System: A labor system where individuals (paiks) rendered service to the state.
● Khel: Groups of paiks organized for specific tasks.
● Rajkhowas and Baruahs: High-ranking officials who administered large regions.
4. Explain the Paik system under the Ahom rule.
Answer: The Paik system was a form of forced labor under the Ahom kingdom. Every adult
male (paik) had to render service to the state for a certain period each year. Paiks were
organized into khels and were assigned tasks such as cultivation, construction, and military
service.
5. What was the role of the Borphukan in the Ahom administration?
Answer: The Borphukan was a high-ranking official appointed by the Ahom king to
administer the region west of Kaliabor (Lower Assam). He was responsible for maintaining
law and order, collecting revenue, and defending the kingdom against invasions from the
west.
6. Who were the Koch and what was their contribution to Assam's history?
Answer: The Koch were a powerful kingdom that rose to prominence in the 16th century in
western Assam and parts of Bengal. Their contribution includes:
● Expansion: They expanded their kingdom under Biswa Singha and Naranarayana.
● Administration: They developed an efficient administrative system.
● Culture: They promoted Assamese language and culture and patronized Hinduism.
7. Who was Chilarai and why is he famous in Assam's history?
Answer: Chilarai was the younger brother and commander-in-chief of the Koch king
Naranarayana. He is famous for his military prowess and conquests. He played a crucial role
in expanding the Koch kingdom and defeating many rival rulers.
8. What was the Battle of Saraighat and why is it significant?
Answer: The Battle of Saraighat was a naval battle fought in 1671 between the Ahoms and
the Mughals on the Brahmaputra River near Guwahati. It is significant because the Ahoms,
