Jagi Chowki, an forgotten Ahom era military outpost in Morigaon, Assam

DIGANTA KUMAR GOGOI

It was in October, 2022. Both myself and my spouse cum travelling partner Priyam made a plan to visit Mayong Circle office at Jagi Bhakat Gaon for some personal works.

From our Hatigaon Residence, we ride out towards Narengi, and then travelled through Chandrapur, for our destination. I had one book of Assam History with me during our journey, and while reading, I found a mention of Jagi Chowki, a military outpost of Assamese soldiers during the Ahom era.

The present location of Jagi Chowki is at Dui khuti mukh at Jagi Bhakat Gaon.

Jagi Chowki, an forgotten Ahom era military outpost in Morigaon District — The present location of Jagi Chowki is at Dui khuti mukh at Jagi Bhakat Gaon.

After reaching Jagi Bhakat gaon , and completing our personal work at the Mayong Circle Office, we asked local people for routes to Jagi Chowki. As per their guidance, after some time, we reached the location of historic Jagi Chowki.Located approximately 62 KM from Guwahati, Jagi Chowki is situated at the confluence of Kapili and Kalong Rivers, two very important rivers of Brahmaputra Valley.

Presently the place is known as Dui Suti Mukh, which means mouth of two tributaries in Assamese language. We observed an institution Jagi M.V. Founded in 1944 CE, and Jagi Borchoki Namghar, a Vaishnavite prayer hall, established in 1921 CE. The sight at the river bank is very beautiful and the view of the setting sun has made it more attractive. Standing at the confluence, we observed the beautiful hills located southwards and a temple on the opposite bank.

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Jagi Chowki was an important strategic place for maintaining correspondence to neighbouring Jaintia Kingdom, and Khasi chiefs located in present day Meghalaya state. The military outpost was established during the reign of Ahom king Pratap Singha (1603 CE to 1641 CE) and it remained functional till the end of Ahom kingdom in 1826 CE.

The commander of the outpost is known as Jagiyal Gohain, who apart from hosting envoys from Jaintia kingdom and other Khasi chiefs of present day Meghalaya state, maintain administration at Jagi and play a crucial role in maintaining relations with the Seven kings of the seven tributary kingdoms, Tetelia , Shusnagok, Ghaguwa, Kachari Gaon, Kumoi, Boghora and Tarani Kalabari known as Sat Raja, presently located in Morigaon District.

The first mention of Jagi Chowki was found in reference in the folk lore of legendary king Jongalbalahu of Tiwa community. Jongalbalahu was the son of Arimatta, who is one of the most mentioned rulers in Assamese folklore. As per folklore, Arimatta is the son of mighty river Brahmaputra. While sources vary regarding the location of Arimatta’s kingdom, most of them indicate his kingdom’s location at Lower or Western Assam.

Some sources stated Arimatta’s capital is located at Baidargarh, near Betna in Kamrup. Another source indicates that Arimatta later became ruler of Kamata kingdom. As per sources, after Arimatta’s demise, one of his son Jongalbalahu established his regime in central Assam. It is claimed that the remnants of fortification located at Sahari Mouza, near Raha in Nagaon District, was part of Jongalbalahu’s capital and hence it is known as Jongalgarh.

As per folklore Jongalbalahu defeated neighbouring Kachari kingdom and therefore Kachari king Gajraj secretly planned to avenge his defeat. He married his daughter away to Jongalbalahu, with secret instruction to his daughter, to find the source of strength and weak spots of Jongalbalahu.

Kachari princess found that Jongalbalahu strength lies in his magical sword gifted by Lord Shiva ( according to some sources it was gifted by Brahmaputra) and him having a meal of Rice before any battle campaign. The princess requested her husband Jongalbalahu to catch a big Borali fish from Kolong river and to send it as a gift to her father.

Jongalbalahu set a fish trap and embankment at several places in Kolong river to catch a big Borali fish for his father in law. After a big Borali fish was caught,the princess secretly arranged to sent the magical sword of Jongalbalahu inside the fish belly, to her father Kachari King Gajraj.

After obtaining the sword, Kachari King Gajraj attacked Jongalbalahu‘s capital Jongalgarh. Jongalbalahu then discovered the harsh betrayal committed by his wife , as he found that his magical sword was missing and instead of rice, his wife had boiled stones inside the cooking pan. As a last desperate attempt, Jongalbalahu jumped in Kolong river and tried to escape to River Brahmaputra, who happened to be his grandfather.

The Kachari soldiers chased him along the river. As per folklore, while swimming at Kolong river, he halted for sometime at Raha, and thereby the place Raha(ৰহা) derives its name from Assamese word “ rokha(ৰখা, ৰখিছিল ),” which means halting. Then he swimmed further and came out of water at a place called Jagi, in present day Morigaon district, and similarly the place derives its name from Assamese word “Jaga(জাগা)” , which means to come out.

then swims further and sat for a while in place which later known as Boha ( বহা ) , which mean “to sit” in Assamese, located near present day Morigaon town. Jongalbalahu finally met his end in Kajoli Chowki, at the hands of the chasing Kachari soldiers, who finally speared him to death by a pointed edge of bamboo.

Another source stated that the word Jagi derives from ancient Bodo Kachari word “Jagamo-huwa”, in which “Jagamo” denotes one tribal Goddess and “Huwa” means Prayer.

As per historical chronicles , it was Ahom king Pratap Singha (reign 1603-1641 CE) who realized the strategic importance of the location, established a military outpost at Jagi, to guard the confluence of Kolong and Kapili river, because both rivers serves as important communication route to interior of present day Morigaon- Nagaon district, upto Kaliabor and it was very important to take control of this important communication route.

20221017 162905 — It was in October, 2022. Both myself and my spouse cum travelling partner Priyam made a plan to visit …

The king appointed one member, from the Burhagohain family, as Jagiyal Gohain of Jagi Chowki, in order to monitor this strategic military outpost. An interesting event is mentioned in the chronicles regarding appointments from family members of three ministerial families, the Burhagohain, the Borgohain and the Borpatra Gohain.

The king found negligence of duties on the part of kins of the three Gohains, and as a form of punishment assigned them to clear termite hills at crown farmlands. The royal poultry keeper was appointed to monitor their task. After being taunted by the Poultry keeper for unsatisfactory performance in the assigned task, the kins of Gohains, assaulted the former, who then reported the matter to the monarch.

The king then exiled those kins of three Gohains to frontier military outpost at Kajoli and Jagi. One of the kin of Burhagohain family is appointed as Jagiyal Gohain, while the kins of Borgohain and Barpatragohain is jointly appointed as Kajali Mukhia Gohain at Kajali Chowki.

Jagi Chowki serves as an virtual military headquarter or administrative centre to monitor any movements at confluence of Kolong and Kapili River, also to monitor the activities of neighbouring kingdom of Jaintia and rulers of tributary kingdoms of Gobha, Neli, Khala and the aforementioned seven tributary kingdoms of present day Morigaon districts. Most of these chieftains are from Tiwa Community.

In the old Assamese chronicles, Jagi Chowki was mentioned several times , as the first base for receiving envoys from Jaintia kings.From there, they were mostly sent to Guwahati for an audience with the Barphukan, Ahom Viceroy of Western Assam and from there, they were sent to Ahom kingdom’s capital Garhgaon and Rangpur, located in present day Sivasagar District, Assam. It is observed that the Ahom Kings in their communication mentioned Jaintia Kings as “Lanta Sultan”.

During the reign of Ahom King Swargadeo Rudra Singha( reign 1696- 1714 CE), in 1708 CE, Jagi Chowki served as military bastions from where Assamese soldiers launched military offensive against Jaintia Kingdom. The expedition aimed to rescue Kachari King Tamradwaj from captivity of Jaintia king Ramsingh I. The expedition was successful and Assamese forces conquered Jaintiapur, the capital of Jaintia Kingdom, which is located at present day Shyllet district in Bangladesh.

The Assamese force captured both Kachari and Jaintia kings, and they were admitted in presence of Swargadeo Rudra Singha in the Durbar (Royal court) held at Biswanath Ghat, in present day Biswanath district, Assam. Both kings offered their submission to Rudra Singha, who in returns bestowed them with gifts.

The Jaintia King Ram Singh I later died of illness as peace negotiations was in progress. His son known as Borkonwar ( which means Elder Prince in Assamese),gave his two sisters in marriage to Swargadeo Rudra Singha, and the Ahom King arranged coronation of the prince as new king of Jaintia Kingdom.

The body of deceased Jaintia King, Ram Singh I was cremated and his son was sent with his father’s ashes to Guwahati, where the kings’s ashes were immersed in Brahmaputra River, at Ashwakranta, North Guwahati. The Jaintia Prince was then stationed at Jagi Chowki for his return to Jaintia kingdom. The prince acknowledged the supremacy of Ahom King and promised to send regular tributes after he reached Jayantiapur, the capital of Jayantia Kingdom.

After the death of Rudra Singha, his son and successor Swargadeo Siva Singha (reign 1714 -1744 CE) instructed Bijoy Duara Borphukan, viceroy of Ahom regime at Guwahati, to invade and capture the three frontier kingdoms of Gobha, Neli and Khala, and close the trade routes to Jaintia Kingdom, as punishment to Jaintias for their non compliance of promises made to his father Rudra Singha of sending regular tributes and offer submission.

The Assamese forces led by Borphukan marched from Jagi Chowki and sucessfuly subdued these three kingdoms, and closed trade facilities at Phuloguri in present day Nagaon district, to Jaintia Kingdom .

Jongal Balahu Tiwa King 2 — Jongalbalahu statue at Jongalbahalu garh, Raha, Nagaon District

The military expedition has desired effects The three chieftains of Gobha, Neli and Khala sent messengers to Ahom commander at Jagi chowki, to offer their submission and agreed to send regular tributes to Ahom King, like the seven chieftains (Sat raja) of present day Morigaon district.

The Jaintias also requested for resuming trade facilities at Phuloguri. Swargadeo Siva Singha also desired friendly relations with neighbouring kingdoms and instructed the officials at Guwahati and Jagi Chowki to proceed for peace negotiation.

During the reign of Swargadeo Kamaleswar Singha (reign 1794-1811CE), in 1803 CE, there was outbreak of rebellion in present day Nagaon Morigaon district by Moamorias, supported in secret by Kachari King Krishna Chandra. The Kachari forces were led by Tularam Senapati. The grandson of Ahom King Rajeswar Singha(1751-1769 CE) Barmura Gohain also joined the ranks of the rebels.

The royal forces chased the rebel forces, and crossed the Kolong river. But the combined Kachari- Moamoria forces lay ambushed to royal forces across Kolong river and inflicted crushing defeat to royal forces. The Royal forces retreat with loss of 540 men. The victorious Kachari – Moamoria forces compelled the people to offer submission to them in the area bounded by the Kajali, the Brahmaputra and the mouth of the Micha river. Some of the triburatary kingdoms of Morigaon and Nagaon District also joined the ranks of rebels.

The Ahom Royal authority immediately send fresh reinforcement under Haripad Deka Phukan and Captain Gohain of Buragohain family from the capital Jorhat. Royal orders were issued for transfer of Royal troops stationed at Guwahati and Western Assam to main theatre of war at Nagaon -Morigaon.

The forces from Guwahati consist of Dekaphukan of Guwahati, Lakhinarayan Brahmachari Duariya Barua from Hadirachowki and the two Raja of Darrang – Senior Raja Krishna Narayan and Junior Raja Hoi Narayan. The combined forces from Guwahati assembled at Jagi Chowki. The forces from Jorhat assembled at Raha Chowki. The Royal forces defeated the coaltion of Kachari – Moamoria coalition forces.

The defeated Kachari- Moamoria fugitives entered territory of Kachari Kingdom and once again began to regroup. Haripad Deka Phukan led the royal forces inside Kachari Kingdom and routed them. The rebels attacked Deka Phukan at Chang chowki, but were repelled with losses. Haripad Deka Phukan continued chasing rebels in Kachari kingdom territory and finally returned to Raha Chowki with great numbers of prisoners.

The royal army detachment which had proceeded through Jagi Chowki returned with four Raja Powali or tributary kings as captives, and other prisoners and halted at Jagi Chowki. Haripad Deka Phukan on behalf of Royal Authority charged the four Raja Powali and seven officers of Saikia rank (commander of 100 men) from present day Nagaon and Morigaon district, in league with Moamoria rebels, and were put to death.

Some of the Moamoria rebels fled to Khaspur (Capital of Kachari Kingdom) and Jaintiapur (Capital of Jaintia Kingdom). Prince Barmura Gohain and his supporters fled to British administered Bengal. The Ahom authority was re established in Nagaon and Morigaon district, and war with Moamoria Kachari Coalition finally ended in 1805 CE.

Kachari king Krishna Chandra pleaded ignorance regarding involvement of Kachari soldiers in creating disturbance inside Ahom Kingdom and whereabouts of prince Barmura Gohain, and requested restoration of friendly relations with Ahom Kingdom.

In his book “An Account of Assam” first compiled during 1807- 1814 CE, British officer Francsis Hamilton, mentioned Jagiyal Gohain and its role. The information for this book was gathered from Assamese fugitives, prominently from prince Brajanath Gohain, son of Barmura Gohain, who were living in exile at Bengal due to unrest caused by Moamoria rebellion.

From 1817 to 1826 CE, Assam witnessed three times invasion from neighbouring country Myanmar and later Anglo Burmese War(1824-1826 CE), which resulted in fall of Ahom regime in Assam and subsequent occupation by British. During this period of turmoil, adminstration in Jagi Chowki also ceased to exist.

During this period of terror caused by Burmese invaders, Khuman alias Naranath Jagiyal Gohain, fled to Jaintia Kingdom and took refuge there. His two younger brothers Taburi Gohain and Gerela Gohain actively participated in resistance against Burmese invaders under the leadership of Ahom king Swargadeo Chandra Kanta Singha ( reign 1811-1818 CE, 1819-1821 CE). After British defeated and expeled the Burmese invaders, Taburi Gohain and Gerela Gohain went to Jaintia Kingdom in search of their brother Naranath Jagiyal Gohain and brought him back to Jagi. The three brothers with their families then settled in present day Morigaon.

One of the noteworthy descendant of Gerela Gohain was Anandaram Gohain. Born in 1899 CE, as second son of Sanjay Gohain (Manjay Gohain as per another source) of Mori Gohain gaon, Anandaram Gohain after passing Matriculation from Nagaon Government High School, got admitted in Cotton College, from where he graduated in Bachelor of Arts with honours in subject of History.

His enthusiasm for history was observed by emminent historian cum Professor Dr Surya Kumar Bhuyan, and the latter enrolled him as active member of Kamrup Anusandhan Samity, and entrusted him the task to recover old historical manuscripts, for their preservation and compilation. Anandaram joined Govt Service as School Inspector and was posted at Golaghat and later at Majuli.

During that time, he collected several historical manuscript and shared them with Dr Surya Kumar Bhuyan. It is noteworthy to mention during those days orthodox Ahom families allowed only person from Ahom community to see their manuscript. Later Anandaram Gohain resigned his job of school inspector and join teaching profession at Mangaldoi, and later at Shillong.

In 1941CE, he authored two text book “The Indian Administrative System” and ” Indian History for beginners”. Unfortunately in 1945 CE, this energetic person passed away at Shillong. The writer owes personal relation with the family of Anandaram Gohain, as Surendra Gohain, younger brother of Anandaram Gohain, married Subhadra Gohain, eldest daughter of our paternal grandfather Freedom Fighter Late Hari Chandra Gogoi of Raja Mayong and eldest sister of our father Late Jadab Chandra Gogoi.

As water flows in the confluence of Kalong and Kapili, the memories of once strategic Military bastion, Jagi Chowki also began to fade. Time has come to take concrete steps in this direction to preserve the glorious history of Jagi Chowki for future generations.

“Its getting dark”, Priyam’s voice brings my mind back to present. One can hear the sound of drum from nearby Naamghar (Prayer hall) . ” Lets go home” , i stated. We get back to our vehicle, and bid aideo to historical Jagi Chowki.

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