Assam History – ADRE Preparation Notes
1. Ancient Period (Kamarupa Kingdom: 4th – 12th Century CE)
Varman Dynasty (c. 350 – 650 CE)
Founder: Pushyavarman (early 4th century CE)
Capital: Pragjyotishpura (modern Guwahati)
Important Rulers:
- Mahendravarman: Adopted the title Maharajadhiraja.
- Bhaskaravarman (c. 600–650 CE): Most illustrious ruler.
- Formed alliance with Harshavardhana of Kannauj.
- Hosted Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) in 643 CE.
- Participated in Harsha's Kanauj Assembly.
Note: Xuanzang’s accounts provide valuable insights into Kamarupa’s society and religion.
Mlechchha Dynasty (c. 650 – 900 CE)
Founder: Salastambha
Likely shifted the capital to Tezpur (Haruppeshwar)
Key Notes:
- Period of relative political continuity
- Promoted both Shaivism and Buddhism
Pala Dynasty (c. 900 – 1100 CE)
Founder: Brahmapala (not related to Bengal’s Pala dynasty)
Important Rulers:
- Ratnapala: Moved capital to Durjaya (near present-day Guwahati)
- Indrapala: Patron of Sanskrit learning
Note: Inscriptions like Bargaon and Guwahati copper plates are key sources.
2. Medieval Period (Ahom Rule: 13th – 19th Century)
Ahom Kingdom (1228 – 1826 CE)
Founder: Chaolung Sukaphaa, a Tai prince from present-day Myanmar
Crossed the Patkai Hills and established the Ahom kingdom in 1228 CE
Capitals of the Ahom Kingdom (Chronologically)
- Charaideo (Established 1253 CE by Sukaphaa) – First capital; spiritual and cultural hub
- Simaluguri / Tipam / Habung – Temporary administrative centers during expansion
- Garhgaon (Capital from 1540 CE under Suklenmung) – Main administrative center
- Rangpur (Developed by Rudra Singha) – Cultural and architectural hub
- Jorhat (Final capital; shifted during Gaurinath Singha's reign) – Until 1826, when British took over
Tip to Remember: CHeeSe GaRJo = Charaideo, Simaluguri, Gargaon, Rangpur, Jorhat
Notable Ahom Rulers and Events
- Suhungmung (Dihingia Raja) (1497–1539):
- First to assume Hindu title Swargadeo
- Introduced firearms and the Paik system census
- Pratap Singha (Burha Raja) (1603–1641):
- Formed the Council of Ministers (e.g., Borbarua, Borphukan)
- Strengthened Garhgaon and administration
- Battle of Saraighat (1671):
- Ahom general: Lachit Borphukan
- Mughals led by: Ram Singh I
- Decisive naval victory for the Ahoms
- Battle of Itakhuli (1682):
- Ahom commander: Gadadhar Singha
- Marked end of Mughal presence in Assam
- Gadadhar Singha (1681–1696): Reasserted Ahom control post-Mughal wars
- Rudra Singha (1696–1714): Patron of culture; built Rang Ghar, Talatal Ghar
Other Important Medieval Kingdoms
Kachari Kingdom
- Founder: Mythically Mahasur; historically consolidated by Bada Raja
- Capital: Dimapur → Maibang → Khaspur
- Notable Rulers: Detsung, Nirbhay Narayan
- Annexed by British: 1832
Chutiya Kingdom
- Founder: Birpal (late 12th century)
- Capital: Sadiya
- Important Rulers: Ratnadhwajpal, Dhirnarayan
- Annexed by Ahoms: 1524
Koch Kingdom
- Founder: Vishwa Singha (1515)
- Capital: Kamatapur, later Cooch Behar
- Important Rulers: Nara Narayan (Golden age), Chilarai (Sukladhwaj)
3. Colonial Period (1826 – 1947)
British Annexation and Administration
- Treaty of Yandaboo (1826): Ended First Anglo-Burmese War; British took Assam
- Initially part of Bengal Presidency, then made a **Chief Commissioner’s Province (1874)**
- Capital: Shillong
Economic Developments
- Tea: Indigenous tea discovered by Robert Bruce; first plantation at Chabua (1837); Assam Company formed (1839)
- Oil: First well at Digboi (1889); first refinery (1901)
- Coal: Mined at Makum coalfields
Freedom Movement in Assam
- Early Revolts: Gomdhar Konwar (1828); Maniram Dewan & Piyali Baruah executed (1858)
- Phulaguri Dhawa (1861): Peasant protest against tax on betel nut and paan
- Assam Association (1903): First political body; Manik Chandra Baruah first secretary; merged with Congress (1921)
4. Post-Independence Period (1947 – Present)
Reorganization of States
- Assam became a state in 1950
- Carved-out states: Nagaland (1963), Meghalaya (1972), Mizoram (1987), Arunachal Pradesh (1987)
The Assam Movement (1979–1985)
- Led by AASU and AAGSP; protest against illegal immigration
- Nellie Massacre (1983): Communal violence during elections
- Assam Accord (1985): Citizenship cut-off: March 24, 1971; led to formation of AGP
Insurgency Period
- ULFA formed in 1979; demanded sovereign Assam
- Govt responses: Operation Bajrang (1990), Operation Rhino (1991)
Practice Questions
1. The Chinese traveler Xuanzang visited the Kamarupa kingdom during the reign of which king?
2. Chaolung Sukaphaa established the first capital of the Ahom kingdom at which location?
3. The Battle of Itakhuli in 1682 marked the end of the Mughal presence in Assam. The Ahom commander was?
4. Which treaty resulted in Assam becoming a part of British India?
5. Who was the first secretary of the Assam Association, formed in 1903?
6. Which Varman dynasty king adopted the title 'Maharajadhiraja'?
7. The Mlechchha Dynasty promoted which two religions?
8. Which Pala dynasty king was a patron of Sanskrit learning?
9. During which ruler's reign was the first census (Paik system) introduced in the Ahom kingdom?
10. Who was the Mughal general defeated by Lachit Borphukan at the Battle of Saraighat?
11. Who was the younger brother of Nara Narayan and a brilliant military general known as 'Chilarai'?
12. The Kachari kingdom's capital was shifted from Dimapur to Maibang by which ruler?
13. In which year was the Chutiya kingdom annexed by the Ahom kingdom?
14. The British first made Assam a Chief Commissioner’s Province in which year?
15. Who was the first person to discover indigenous tea plants in Assam?
16. In which year was the first oil well drilled in Digboi?
17. The Phulaguri Dhawa uprising was a protest against which specific British policy?
18. What was the citizenship cut-off date decided in the Assam Accord of 1985?
19. Which state was carved out of Assam in 1963?
20. Which military operation was launched by the government in 1990 in response to ULFA insurgency?
21. The Ahom king Pratap Singha (Burha Raja) was known for forming what council?
22. Which Ahom ruler developed Rangpur as the cultural and architectural hub of the kingdom?
23. The Pala dynasty of Kamarupa was founded by Brahmapala and was not related to which other dynasty?
24. Which Ahom ruler built the Rang Ghar and Talatal Ghar?
25. The capital of the Koch kingdom was initially Kamatapur, and later shifted to where?
26. What was the name of the communal violence that occurred during the 1983 Assam elections?
27. In which year was Meghalaya carved out as a separate state from Assam?
