Assam GK Topic

Who Was Appointed King Of The Ahom Kingdom By The Burmese In 1821?

In 1821 CE, during the Third Burmese Invasion of Assam, the Burmese forces installed Jogeswar Singha, also known as Punyadhar, as the king of the Ahom kingdom. He was appointed by Burmese General Mingimaha Tilwa after the reigning king Chandrakanta Singha was forced to flee. This appointment marked the beginning of direct Burmese domination over Assam, as Jogeswar Singha held only nominal authority and functioned primarily as a puppet ruler.
Who Was Appointed King Of The Ahom Kingdom By The Burmese In 1821? illustration

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Detailed Notes

Although officially crowned king, Jogeswar Singha had no real control over governance. The Burmese administration exercised complete authority, and his reign witnessed widespread atrocities and oppression against the people of Assam. During this period, both Chandrakanta Singha and Purandar Singha made repeated attempts to expel the Burmese forces and restore Assamese rule, but these efforts initially failed.

Historians differ regarding the exact end of Jogeswar Singha's reign. Some sources state that he was removed from the throne by the Burmese in 1822 CE, after they defeated Chandrakanta Singha's resistance. Other historical accounts suggest that he continued as a symbolic ruler until the Burmese were driven out by the British East India Company in 1825 CE during the First Anglo-Burmese War.

Jogeswar Singha belonged to the Ahom royal lineage. He was the eldest son of Baga Konwar, who held the title of Tipam Raja and was a descendant of Jambar Gohain, Charing Raja, the younger brother of Swargadeo Gadadhar Singha. His family included three sisters, Taravati Aideo, Sarupahi Aideo, and Hemo Aideo, and three brothers, Mantan Charing Raja, Bihuram (also known as Biswanath), Tipam Raja, and Dhaniram Gohain.

Jogeswar Singha's reign represents one of the darkest phases of Assam's medieval history, as it marked the collapse of Ahom sovereignty and the beginning of foreign domination. His appointment symbolized the erosion of royal authority and set the stage for the eventual transition from Burmese occupation to British colonial rule.

Main Highlights

  • King appointed by Burmese in 1821: Jogeswar Singha (Punyadhar)

  • Installed by: General Mingimaha Tilwa

  • Previous king forced to flee: Chandrakanta Singha

  • Nature of rule: Puppet monarchy under Burmese control

  • Period of turmoil: Third Burmese Invasion of Assam

  • End of reign: 1822 CE or 1825 CE (historical debate)

  • Father: Baga Konwar, Tipam Raja

  • Royal ancestry: Descendant of Jambar Gohain, brother of Swargadeo Gadadhar Singha

  • Siblings: Mantan Charing Raja, Bihuram (Biswanath), Tipam Raja, Dhaniram Gohain, Taravati Aideo, Sarupahi Aideo, Hemo Aideo