# Suhitpangphaa

Ahom dynasty :
List of Ahom kings 1 Sukaphaa 1228–1268 2 Suteuphaa 1268–1281 3 Subinphaa 1281–1293 4 Sukhaangphaa 1293–1332 5 Sukhrangpha 1332–1364 Interregnum 1364–1369 6 Sutuphaa 1369–1376 Interregnum 1376–1380 7 Tyao Khamti 1380–1389 Interregnum 1389–1397 8 Sudangphaa 1397–1407 9 Sujangphaa 1407–1422 10 Suphakphaa 1422–1439 11 Susenphaa 1439–1488 12 Suhenphaa 1488–1493 13 Supimphaa 1493–1497 14 Suhungmung 1497–1539 15 Suklenmung 1539–1552 16 Sukhaamphaa 1552–1603 17 Susenghphaa 1603–1641 18 Suramphaa 1641–1644 19 Sutingphaa 1644–1648 20 Sutamla 1648–1663 21 Supangmung 1663–1670 22 Sunyatphaa 1670–1672 23 Suklamphaa 1672–1674 24 Suhung 1674–1675 25 Gobar Roja 1675–1675 26 Sujinphaa 1675–1677 27 Sudoiphaa 1677–1679 28 Sulikphaa 1679–1681 29 Supatphaa 1681–1696 30 Sukhrungphaa 1696–1714 31 Sutanphaa 1714–1744 32 Sunenphaa 1744–1751 33 Suremphaa 1751–1769 34 Sunyeophaa 1769–1780 35 Suhitpangphaa 1780–1795 36 Suklingphaa 1795–1811 37 Sudingphaa 1811–1818 38 Purandar Singha 1818–1819 39 Sudingphaa 1819–1821 40 Jogeswar Singha 1821–1822 41 Purandar Singha 1833–1838 :
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Suhitpangphaa also Gaurinath Singha (c. 1765 – 19 December 1794), was the 35th king of Ahom kingdom who reigned from 1780–1794. His reign is marked by the rise of the Moamoria rebellion and the decentralization of Ahom power. He was forced to flee from his capital owing to the rebels, he is characterized as weak, incapable, and a cruel ruler whenever intoxicated with opium where most of the power and influence remained over his nobles. He was the son of the previous reigning king Lakshmi Singha and the grandson of Rudra Singha, he was only fifteen years of age when he ascended to the throne, with no formal training or experience.

## Reign

Lokenath Gohain after the death of Lakshmi Singha, ascended to the throne in 1780 and assumed the Hindu name of Gaurinath Singha and Ahom name of Suhitpangphaa. His first act as king was the mutilation of various ex-Ahom princes, to secure his post. In April 1782, the Moamoria rebels made a bold attack on the dual capitals, eventually, they were repulsed by the royalist and the monarchy promulgated an indiscriminate massacre of all the Moamorias, which led to widespread depopulation, and the economy was on the verge of collapse. Four years of stability were marked by this massacre. The reassembled rebels raised their banner of rebellion from the north of Daphla Hills, and after prolonged struggles, defeated the royalist forces. In January 1786, the rebels surrounded the capital city and captured it. King Gaurinath away from his capital, made multiple attempts to usurp the authority of the rebels, but to no success. In 1790, the inhabitants of Nagaon under the leadership of one Sindhura Hazarika surrounded King's camp and complained about their miseries due to the prolonged stay of king there with his numerous camp-followers, and demanded the dismissal of his many officials, whom they held responsible for their oppression.

### Disturbances in Lower Assam

Lower Assam unaffected by the Moamoria rebellion, but the entry of refugees and their plundering activities caused irritation of the Darrangis. Same as this, the Deka and Burha Rajas of Darrang , joined with the hands of conspirators but were utterly defeated and executed. In 1791, integrating with discontented elements and deprivation of lawful succession, a Koch prince by the name of Krisnananryan, claimant to the throne of Deka rajaship of Darrang, rose to rebellion. Intercepted the services of Barkandazes (mercenary soldiers), took forcible possession of Darrang. He with Haradatta occupied North Guwahati. The Barkandazes or mercenary soldiers who belonged to all castes and religions, roamed free and perpetrated atrocious crimes upon the defenseless Assamese. The depredations committed by Barkandazes who were originally recruited from Company's territories, were repeatedly reported by the frontier officers to British officials. After having received reports of depredations by the Barkandazes from the Borphukan; the Collector of Rangpur issued a warrant for the Barkandazes to quit Assamese territories. Meanwhile, Gaurinath tried to come in terms with Krishnanaryan by granting him his right, but was prevented by the Barkandazes. Unable to get into settling terms, Gaurinath appealed for military aid to the Governor-General for the expulsion of Barkandazes from Assam.

### Welsh Expedition

Governor-General Cornwallis considering the situations and indirect responsibility of the British government, order were issued for the despatch of a contingent of troops under the command of Captain Welsh. The small expeditionary force under Captain Welsh showed great effectiveness in suppressing many rebellious activities, he captured Guwahati on 25 November without any resistance, the Barkandazes were expelled from North Guwahati on 6 December. On 26 December, Krishnanarayan's force was defeated and he fled to Bhutan. After having completed the primary objectives, Welsh was directed to the general restoration of peace in Assam. Captain Welsh complained about the weaknesses and villainy of Gaurinath's character and his diabolical ministers. In November 1792, a commercial agreement was set up between the two governments. Nevertheless, after having settled the affairs in lower Assam, the expedition was now directed towards the Moamorias with the general view of restoring peace in Assam. Captain Welsh moved to advance towards Rangpur and finally captured it on 18 March 1794. Welsh received orders of his recallment on 21 April. The process of complete submission of the Moamorias was only waiting, King Gaurinath aware of the dangers awaiting after the recallment of British troops, requested the Governor-General to let Welsh remain in Assam. However, no favorable response was received.
After Welsh departure, Gaurinath fled from Rangpur to Jorhat for his protection. Soon after Gaurinath Singha died prematurely in December 1794. His death was concealed for a few days by Purnananda Burhagohain, during this period he assassinated his powerful opposition, the Borbarua, and placed his own nominee on the throne, Kamaleswar Singha who was a mere toddler at that time. From this period the Burhagohain became the de facto ruler of the Ahom state.

## Character and legacy

Gaurinath Singha is usually regarded as a weak ruler. In a contemporary British document it is stated: "The Assam Raja was a very weak man on whom no dependence could be placed, he is generally intoxicated with opium and, when sober, totally incapable of all business, which was transacted by his ministers. This men were devoid of honesty, inimical to their master and rapacious to the country." Sir Edward Gait concludes him as the most incompetent, bloodthirsty and cowardly of Ahom kings. Gaurinath Singha was quite young at the time of his accession and inexperienced, this factor was quite exploited and he became a puppet in the hands of his ministers. The people had hitherto enjoyed a fair measure of happiness and prosperity but during his reign, they were plunged into the depths of misery and despair.