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{{Short description|Ahom king from 1696 to 1714}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{infobox royalty
| name = Rudra Singha Sukhrungphaa
| title = [[Ahom dynasty|Swargadeo]] [[Chao Pha|Chaopha]] Saumeswara
| image = File:Rudra_Singha_Jayata_in_court.jpg
| caption = Rudra Singha receiving the homage of the Dimasa and Jayantia kings in his court.
| succession = [[Ahom kingdom|30th King of Ahom Kingdom]]
| reign = 1696 – 27 August 1714
| spouse = Daughters of Sandikoi Borphukan Daughter of Pani Phukan Daughters of Borgohain
| issue = {{Plainlist|
*[[Siva Singha]]
*[[Pramatta Singha]]
*[[Mohanmala Gohain]]
*[[Rajeswar Singha]]
*[[Lakshmi Singha]]}}
| full name = Sri Swarganarayandeva Rudra Singha Nripati
| religion = [[Hinduism]]
| dynasty = [[Ahom dynasty]]
| birth_date = {{circa}}1665
| birth_place =
| death_date = 27 August 1714 (aged 49) <ref>"On the eighth day from the first attack of illness, the twice- Death glorious King Rudra Singha died just a prahar
before sunset on Sunday, the second day of the black moon on the thirteenth of Bhada, 1636, after a reign of eighteen years and six months" {{harvcol|Bhuyan|2006|p=39}}</ref>
| death_place = [[North Guwahati]], [[Ahom kingdom]] (present-day [[Assam]], [[India]])
| regnal name =
| house = [[Tungkhungia Ahom kings|Tungkhungia]]
| father = [[Gadadhar Singha]]
| mother = [[Joymoti Konwari]]
| predecessor = [[Gadadhar Singha]]
| successor = [[Siva Singha]]
}}

Swargadeo '''Rudra Singha''' ({{Circa|1665}}– 27 August 1714), with Tai name Sukhrungphaa, was the 30th [[Ahom kingdom|Ahom king]], reigning from 1696 to 1714 A.D . His father [[Gadadhar Singha]] freed [[Ahom kingdom|Assam]] from the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] disturbances and internal conspiracies, thereby Rudra Singha inherited a stable state and government and had the advantage of the solid foundations laid by his father. He devoted his time to transform Assam into a first-rate power in [[Indian subcontinent|India]]. He stopped the persecution of the [[Ekasarana Dharma|Neo-Vaisnava]] sect and built temples, several public works, and patronized art, literature, and culture. Rudra Singha is also famed for being the real father of Ahom architecture.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Das |first=Bhaijan |title=Historical Tourism: A case study of Sivasagar |url=https://www.academia.edu/33791525}}</ref> He giving up the isolationist policy of his predecessors forged diplomatic ties with various states of that time and established extensive trade with [[Bengal]].

He remodeled the administrative structure and [[Ahom Army|army]] and carried on aggressive warfare upon the neighboring chiefdoms and countries, the [[Jaintia Kingdom|Jaintias]] and [[Dimasa Kingdom|Dimasas]] submitted and became vassals. Rudra Singha strengthened by various factors built a coalition of rulers in the region and raised a vast composite army against the [[Mughal Empire]]. He died on the eve of his march west from [[Guwahati]], he was succeeded by his eldest son, [[Siva Singha]].

He is considered as the most illustrious of the [[Ahom dynasty|Ahom]] kings, under whom the kingdom reached its zenith of power and glory. During Rudra Singha's reign, the Ahom nobility was far better organized than ever and stood behind the king representing the cherished feudal values and aspirations.

== Military campaigns ==
=== Expedition of Dimasa Kingdom ===
Ahoms had long considered the [[Dimasa Kingdom|Dimasas]] as their vassals. The Dimasa Kings became reluctant to accept the ''thapita-sanchita'' status; to recognize Ahom hegemony. When the Dimasa King Tamadhwaj boldly asserted his independence and claimed territory up to Mahang in a letter sent in 1704–05, this greatly infuriated the Ahom King. [[Ahom dynasty|Ahoms]] on the other side launched an offensive. In December 1706, an expedition was launched in two divisions simultaneously; one under Dihingia Deka [[Borbarua]] with 37,000 men was to proceed through the [[Dhansiri]] route and another one under Pani Phukan with 34,000 men through the Kapili route. The Ahom strategy was to attack from two sides so they could not concentrate their force on any one direction.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vernacular Historiography and North-East Literature: A Critical Reading of the Kachari Buranji – Rupkatha Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities |url=https://rupkatha.com/v14n2ne19/ |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=rupkatha.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Harvcol|Gogoi|2017|p=65}}</ref> Rudra Singha personally supervised the whole expedition at the headquarters, [[Biswanath district|Biswanath]].{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

==== March ====
Dihingia Deka [[Borbarua]], in order to maintain communications and facilitate the transmission of supplies, forts were constructed and garrisoned on the route. In between the neighboring [[Naga people|Nagas]] caused frequent plunder of the Ahom supply convoys. [[Mising people|Miri]] Archers were effectively deployed at various forts to stop the Naga menace. The Babaura's men at Namira

{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Ahom expedition of Dimasa Kingdom
| date = December 1706
| place = [[Assam]]
| result = Ahom victory
*Dimasa king accepts Ahom overlordship.
| territory = Territory up to Jamuna river ceded to Ahoms
| units1 = [[Ahom kingdom]]
| units2 = [[Dimasa kingdom]]
| commander1 = [[Rudra Singha]] Dihingia Deka [[Borbarua]] Pani Phukan
| commander2 = Tamardhwaj Narayan
| strength1 = '''Total:''' 71,000 
Bobarua's army: 37,000 
Paniphukan's army: 31,000
| strength2 = Unknown but much smaller
}}

fort defeated the defenders and made them flee. Between Dijoa and Lenguria the [[Naga people|Nagas]] joined the Dimasa's and killed a large number of Ahom rice-porters. Additional reinforcement was sent for the safeguard of food provisions and for strengthening the captured forts.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

The Borbaura's force advanced with fresh vigor. From Lathee the Dimasas fled to Tarang and thence Hajo-Lalung fort. They fled after an encounter and the Borbaura's force occupied the empty fort. The [[Borbarua]] then advanced pursuing the enemies to [[Maibang]] and occupied the fort in mid-February 1707. At [[Maibang]] considerable war spoils were gained.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

The Pani Phukan's route lay through [[Raha, Assam|Raha]], Salgaon, Lambur, Dharmapur, Demera, and Nadereng to [[Maibang]]. As there was no regular road the army had to cut its way through dense jungle. A garrison of 3,000 men was left at Demera which was occupied; other places were sacked, and 322 prisoners were taken. Meanwhile, the Pani Phukan came to know about the occupation of Maibang by the Barbarua and informed the king about the latter. The superior strength of the Ahom army overawed the Kacharis who could not repel the invasion. After the occupation of [[Maibang]] the king ordered further advance up to [[Silchar|Khaspur]] to arrest the Dimasa king. But at [[Maibang]] the troops suffered greatly because of the pestilential climate and many including the [[Borbarua]] fell ill. Supplies ran short. Inaction in place of vigor seized the camp. The [[Borphukan|Pani Phukan]] and other commanders were sent orders to march up to Khaspur, but could not march further as there was a shortage of supplies and many soldiers had died. The remaining soldiers too, were suffering from the pestilential climate of Maibang. But still, accordingly, a contingent was sent to Khaspur and encamped at Mai-Lang-Dam. From there three messengers were sent to the Dimasa raja to submit to the Ahom king.<ref>{{Harvcol|Gogoi|2017|pp=107–109}}</ref>[[File:Ahom cavalry charging.jpg|thumb|Ahom cavalry men armed with bows and spears.]]On the other hand, the king ordered to bring the Borbaura along with the sick soldiers to Demera, the [[Borbarua]], now seriously ill, died during the return journey to Demera<ref>{{Harvnb|Basu|1970|p=58}}</ref> at Kelemu camp. At this point, Rudra Singha decided upon to abandon the expedition and ordered the army to return.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

==== Return ====
In March 1707 the king recalled the [[Borphukan|Pani Phukan]] who brought back the whole force after demolishing the brick fort at [[Maibang]], burning down houses there and erecting a thirteen feet high pillar to commemorate his success. Fortifications were made at Demera where a strong garrison was left, which had to be withdrawn by the king owing to sickness and mortality with the setting in of the rains. Terrified by the advancing Ahom armies, Tamradhvaj fled to Bikrampur and sent an urgent appeal for help to Ram Singh, [[Jaintia Kingdom|King of Jaintia Kingdom]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Basu|1970|p=59}}</ref>

=== Expedition of Jaintia Kingdom ===
Tamradhwaj fled to Bikrampur and sent an urgent appeal for help to Ram Singh, King of Jaintia, on the

{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Ahom expedition of Jaintia kingdom
| place = [[Assam]] [[Bangladesh]]
| combatant1 = [[Ahom Kingdom]]
| combatant2 = [[Jaintia Kingdom]]
| result = Inconclusive 
*Jaintias accept Ahom vassalship and agrees to pay annual tribute
| commander1 = Surath Singha [[Borbarua]] Patar [[Borphukan]]
| commander2 = Ram Singh
| strength1 = '''Total''': 44,000
| strength2 = Unknown but much smaller
}}

withdrawal of the Ahom forces, he sent a second message to Ram Singh, saying that help was not necessary. Ram Singh now decided to take advantage of the dispersal of the Dimasa troops by the Ahoms, hatched a treacherous plan to seize the person of the Dimasa king with a view to gaining possession and control of the Dimasa kingdom; under the pretext of a friendly meeting, he seized Tamradhwaj along with his wife and carried him off to the Jaintia capital, [[Jaintipur]].

The Kachari queen still in captivity, managed to send a message to Rudra Singha through a 'Bairagi', asking for forgiveness and begging for deliverance from his captor. Rudra Singh sent word to Ram Singh through - the Ahom officer in charge of the Ahom outpost at Jagi, demanding the immediate release of Tamradhvaj. Ram Singh refused, and Rudra Singh closed the market at Gobha on which the hill Jaintias depended for their supplies. Rudra Singha made preparations for the invasion of Jaintia territory. He established his headquarters at Misa for the expedition. He sent two divisions of the army, one under the [[Borbarua]] and the other under the [[Borphukan]].<ref>{{Harvcol|Gogoi|2017|p=109}}</ref>

==== March ====
In December 1707, Surath Singha [[Borbarua]] with a force of 43,000 men and number of commanders, was to march towards Jaintiapur via the Kopili valley and the Dimasa country<ref>{{Harvnb|Basu|1970|pp=59–60}}</ref> And the other division under the [[Borphukan]] advanced from the Barkharoi camp by the Gobha route, he was accompanied by the king of [[Darrang district|Darrang]] and the [[Phukan]] under the Buragohain, a [[Dafla]] and a [[Mising people|Miri]] contingent accompanied him. The Solal Gohain, Duwalia Phukan, and the Duwalia Rajkhowas were stationed at Gobha for the supply of provisions.
[[File:Rudra Singha Jayata in court.jpg|left|thumb|[[Dimasa Kingdom|Dimasa king]] Tamardhwaj and the [[Jaintia Kingdom|Jaintia King]] Ram Singh paying their homage to Rudra Singha.]]
The [[Borbarua]] reached Sampai easily and here a Dimasa deputation assured that nothing was to be feared from the neighboring [[Naga tribes]]. He proceeded to Bikrampur and during his march, he sent messengers in advance to reassure the people who came and paid their respects and were glad that the forces needed no supplies of provisions from them. The [[Borbarua]] desisted his soldiers from ravaging Dimasa villages, assured the latter, and offered presents to help them against the Jaintias.

After the Ahom force reached Mulagul, Ram Singh was called upon to surrender Tamradhwaj and his family and officers. Envoys were sent to [[Bengal Subah|Nawab of Sylhet]] informing the purpose of the mission and reiterating friendship.

Ram Singh prepared for a fight, but the nobles who tried to dissuade him from his present adventure would not allow him to escape scot-free. He therefore proceeded towards the Borbarua camp for making his submission, escorted by twenty elephants. Near the camp, he was made to dismount and ride on horseback, unattended. After the interview, he was not allowed to return but was made a captive by the Borbarua. The [[Borphukan]] reached Gobha on 20 January 1708,<ref>{{Harvcol|Gogoi|2017|p=110}}</ref> and conciliated the Chiefs of [[Tiwa (Lalung)|Gobha]] by presents. His forces on the march were harassed by the [[Garos]] at several places. The Garos attacked his men, while they were clearing routes. However, they were dispersed with guns and arrows. His route from Jagi lay through Gobha, Athitbhaga Lachor Hill, Buritikar Hill, the Barpani River banks, and Pavanai to [[Jaintipur]]. In certain engagements, the Jaintias fared well but were ultimately worsted by the Ahoms who had the advantage of superior numbers and strength and reinforcements at crucial moments. In another fierce battle, the Ahoms killed a number of Jayantia commanders and captured 12 of them along with 20 soldiers and 20 elephants.<ref>{{Harvcol|Gogoi|2017|p=111}}</ref>

After this battle, the Jaintia king was compelled to surrender the Dimasa king along with all his associates to [[Borbarua]] on 11 February 1708. After that both the [[Borbarua]] and [[Borphukan]] resumed their march towards the Jaintia king, then the Jaintia king along with his son submitted to Borbarua.

==== Annexation of Jaintia and Dimasa territories ====
Rudra Singha ordered the captive kings to be brought to him along with the Jaintia King's garments, jewels, arms, elephants, and horses and the Jaintia king's treasures to be divided among the troops. The Ahom subjects who had fled to Khaspur during [[Mir Jumla II]] invasion were brought back and an army of occupation under the [[Borbarua]] and the [[Borphukan]] was stationed at Jaintiapur. Envoys were sent to the Muhammadan Faujdar of [[Sylhet Division|Sylhet]] to announce that the Kachari and Jaintia kingdoms had been annexed to the Ahom dominions.<ref name="Basu 1970 61">{{Harvnb|Basu|1970|p=61}}</ref> Both the captive kings were presented before the Ahom king, and made to take the oath of allegiance to him.

==== Expulsion and return ====
These measures greatly irritated the Jaintia nobles who induced the Bar Dalai, the Raja of Khairam, and the inhabitants of two hundred independent [[Khasi people|Khasi]] villages to join them in expelling the invaders. The Jaintias could not rescue their Raja as he was being taken to Gobha by a strong force, but they attacked eight forts with garrisons left by the [[Borphukan]] and took three of them. A detachment that was taking the copper image of the Goddess Jaintesvari to Rudra Singha was put to flight and the image was rescued. The Ahom soldiers seized with panic, fled, and were pursued by the Jaintias. Rudra Singh sent up reinforcements including four thousand men under the [[Burhagohain]]. The Jaintia strategy of dispersing when attacked and of returning to the attack themselves thereafter made decisive victory impossible for the Ahoms. The Borbarua and [[Borphukan]] sent reinforcements from [[Jaintipur]], no doubt, but with the approach of the rains, it was thought unwise and dangerous to remain in hostile territory, and retreat to Gobha was decided upon. Before departing, the Ahoms put to the sword a thousand inhabitants of [[Jaintipur]] and destroyed surrounding villages.<ref name="Basu 1970 61"/>

==== Foils and casualties of the campaign ====
For the ultimate failure of the expedition, Rudra Singha thought of punishing the Borbarua and the Barphukan but pardoned them on the intercession of other nobles. Rudra Singha severely punished those commanders who expressed unwillingness to march forward against the Jaintias.<ref>{{Harvcol|Gogoi|2017|p=51}}</ref>

In the course of the Jaintia rising, the Ahoms lost 2,366 men including 12 high-ranking officers. About 1,600 persons, chiefly [[Assamese people|Assamese]] refugees were brought from Khaspur and 600 from [[Jaintipur]]. During the expedition, 3 cannons, 2,273 guns, 109 elephants, 12,000 pieces of silver from the Muhammadaman, [[Ahom coinage|Ahom]], [[Koch coinage|Koch]], and Jaintia mints, and numerous utensils of gold, silver, and other metals were taken. Certain articles of jewelry misappropriated by some officers had to be disgorged by them on detection.<ref>{{Harvnb|Basu|1970|p=62}}</ref>

=== Second & third Jaintia expeditions ===
Meanwhile, the Jaintia King Ram Singh, who is still in Ahom captivity died in August 1708. Later that month, Rudra Singha despatched Ram Singh's son, Barkonwar (crown-prince) to be sent to [[Jaintia Kingdom|Jaintia]], but as a pre-requisite, he insisted on the personal attendance and submission of the Jaintia nobles but the latter refrained. Rudra Singha lost his patience and launched another expedition to [[Jaintia Kingdom]], by dispatching two divisions along the routes of Gobha and [[Kopili River|Kopili]]. The Ahoms advanced by devastating several villages and acquiring [[War booty|booty]]. On this scene the Barkonwar appeared, pleading to stop the depredations and assuring the submission of his nobles. At long last two years, Rudra Singha agreed to come on terms and declared Barkonwar king of [[Jaintia Kingdom|Jaintia]] as ''thapita-sanchita'' vassal and the latter acknowledged the overlordship of Ahoms and agreed to pay tributes. But later on, the Barkonwar refrained from accepting Ahom vassalship and refused to pay tribute, leading Rudra Singha to undertake a third expedition. Barkonwar was defeated and was imprisoned for 14 years and an economic blockade was imposed on the Jaintias.<ref name=":2">{{harvnb|Sarkar|1992|p=282}}</ref>

== Proposed invasion of Bengal ==
Historian [[Surya Kumar Bhuyan]] sought to explain the objectives of this proposed invasion of [[Bengal]] by the following points– i) Rudra Singha was informed of the plight to which Hindus had been rendered; ii) He himself was humiliated by [[Murshid Quli Khan]] who sent to him robes as presents which were meant for the vassal chiefs;<ref>"In the Persian chronicle of Bengal, Riyazu-s-Salatin- ''The Rajahs of Twipura'', Kuch Bihar, and Assam called themselves and ruling chiefs, and did not bend their heads in submission to the Emperor of the Hindustan, and minted coins after their own names. On hearing, however, of the vigorous administration of the Khan, the Rajah of Assam presented to the Khan chairs and palkis of ivory, musk, musical instruments, feathers, fan of peacock feathers, etc., and offered his submission. However, nothing of this can be found in contemporary Assamese records, indicating at least the way in which Murshid Kuli Khan wanted the Assamese to behave." {{harvcol|Bhuyan|1938|p=200}}</ref> iii) Assamese pilgrims also received obstruction from the Mughal officers in their visits to the Hindu shrines in India, specifically in connection with the pilgrimages to the [[Ganges]].<ref>{{harvnb|Bhuyan|1956|p=201}}</ref><ref>"King Rudra Singha was extremely annoyed with the Governor of Bengal, Nawab Murshid Kuli Khan who used to send ''Khelats'' to Sargadeo Rudra Singh 'insinuating' thereby that the Ahom Monarch was subordinate to the government of Moghuls. Rudra Singh was 'therefore' keen on organizing a formidable confederacy against the Moghuls whom he described as 'enemies of Hinduism'. He despatched his envoys to the Rajas of Morang, Bana-Vishnupur, Nadiya, Cooch Behar, Burdwan, Barahanagar and Tripura seeking their support and cooperation in the fight against the invaders." {{harvcol|Chaudhuri|2016|p=26}}</ref>

He then began to make elaborate preparations for a fresh war against [[Mughals]] with two ends in view namely, to oust them from their sovereign power in eastern India and to expand their territory to the Ahom kingdom as far as the [[Karatoya River|Karatoya river]] to the west. In a general meeting conveyed in [[Rangpur, Assam|Rangpur]] in 1713, Rudra Singha expressed his intention of invading "the territories lying between the boundaries of [[Dhaka|Dacca]] and [[Rangamati|Rangajara]]", to recapture the territories under the possession of his predecessors.<ref name=":2" />

He carefully thought of his plan to create an opinion among the Hindu [[Raja]]s outside Assam and also attempted to organize a confederacy of the Rajas of Hindustan and sent messages to several Rajas and Zamindars, this included [[Twipra Kingdom|Twipra]] (and Morang, Bana-Vishnupur, Nadiya, Cooch Behar, Burdwan, and Barahanagar) kingdoms to remove the [[Mughal Empire|Mughals]] from [[Bengal Subah|Bengal]]. He appealed to their religious sentiments, which is evident from the letters sent to the king of Tripura [[Ratna Manikya II]], where he wrote:<ref>"Let us take for example the confidential letter of Sargadeo Rudra Singha Ruler of Assam had sent to the Tripura King Ratna Manikya which will show the highest standard of protocol being maintained in sending diplomatic missions at a time when the rules of international law were just taking shape and the work of Hugo Grotius was to receive the wide publicity that it afterwards came to have." {{harvcol|Chaudhuri|2016|p=27}}</ref>
{{blockquote|'' This has become very widely current among the people that owing to the hostile actions of the [[Mughal Empire|Mughals]], the religion as inculcated in the Vedas does not get any protection. For this, if it appears to you to be the right thing to put a stop to this situation by some action, then please write to me in detail about your strength and aptitude after discussing with the big personage with whom you have friendship...''}}<ref>{{harvcol|Bhuyan|1938|p=15}}</ref>

Thus he took the initiative to form a Hindu union against the Mughals.

The subjugated [[Jaintia Kingdom|Jaintias]] and [[Dimasa Kingdom|Dimasa.]]<ref>{{Harvnb|Baruah|1985|p=290}}</ref> promised to render military assistance, some rulers of India like the rulers of [[Amber Kingdom|Amber]] and [[Cooch Behar State|Cooch Behar]] also assured assistance upon the scheme of Rudra Singha.

Rudra Singha then augmented his army, his artillery, and his navy. The local levies were trained on up-to-date lines. He raised numerous cavalry and trained the elephants to withstand fights. During these preparations, he adopted measures to obtain the goodwill of the inhabitants of Bengal in order to render his supremacy acceptable to them.<ref>{{harvcol|Bhuyan|1938|p=5}}</ref> He then advanced towards [[Guwahati]] and mobilized an army composed of four lakhs men with all cannons available. But the sudden death of the monarch on 27 August 1714, accounted for nothing and this project was given by the successor king [[Siva Singha]].<ref name=":2" />

== Hindu proclivities ==
Rudra Singha reversed the persecution of the [[Satras]] as advised by [[Gadadhar Singha]] in his death-bed, and reinstated the satra preceptors, including Chaturbhujdeva the ''satradhikar'' of Mayamara Satra, in their former seats.<ref>{{harvcol|Baruah|1993|p=55}}</ref> He received the initiation from the Auniati Satra, Haridev, who was the most influential Brahmana Satradhikar. However, he soon created dissension in the Vaisnava camp by promulgating a synod, which debarred the Shudra Mahantas from initiating Brahmins, and which was completely against the principles of creed propagated by [[Sankardev]]a.<ref>{{harvcol|Baruah|1993|p=8}}</ref><ref>{{harvcol|Baruah|1993|p=56}}</ref>

Rudra Singha during his reign recognized the four [[Satras]]: [[Auniati]], [[Dakhinpat Satra|Dakhinpat]], Garamur, and Kuruabahi as ''Rajasatra'', bestowed preferential treatments and seniority.<ref>{{harvcol|Gogoi|1986|p=100}}</ref>

=== Inclination towards Shaktism ===
Later in his life he inclined towards [[Shaktism]] and thought of becoming an orthodox [[Hindus|Hindu]], and invited Krishnaram Bhattacharya Nyayavagish <ref name=":0">{{harvcol|Baruah|1985|p=294}}</ref> from [[Nabadwip]], [[Bengal]] to take him as his religious guide, and desired to take his initiation after having promised to give the management of [[Kamakhya Temple]]. But sent him back him back after his arrival, Krishnaram Bhattacharya went back with a fury, when several earthquakes occurred, noticing Rudra Singha thought of him as a favorite of God, re-called Krishnaram, but died before he could arrive. But, he on his death-bed injunction advised his sons to take his initiation.

==Patronage of cultural activities==
[[File:Copper inscription of Rudra Singha (1701).jpg|thumb|Rudra Singha's Lepeta Kata copper inscription.]]
Since the days of [[Sudangphaa]], [[Sanskritisation]] or Indianization of the gained momentum and reached its peak during the regime of Rudra Singha and [[Siva Singha]].

Rudra Singha, being helped by the material conditions of the time, acted more vigorously in line with his tradition. Now, in order to consolidate the Ahom monarchy in the force of growing feudal forces leading the Neo-Vaishnavite movement, Rudra Singha had to look up to friends among feudal rulers elsewhere in India and to secure a place of confederacy them, thereby integrating the Ahom ruling class with the Indian ruling classes, including the Mughals.<ref>{{harvcol|Baruah|1985|p=292}}</ref>[[File:Rudra Singha Rupee Coin (Lion & Deer).jpg|thumb|Rajmohuree of Rudra Singha,( issue date [[Saka calendar|Saka]] 1619= 1697 CE)|left]]
[[File:Ghanashyam house.jpg|thumb|[[Ghanashyam House]]]]
He introduced Mughal dress to Ahom court and sent Brahman boys to study at great centers of learning in Bengal and Bihar. He did not fail to patronize local art and culture. He encouraged the culture of local folk music and dance and for this, he appointed officers like Gayan Barua. It is said that it was he,who for the first time had the [[Bihu]] celebrated in the palace courtyard and organised varied performances for full seven days including competitions of many kinds or sports and games and cultural shows<ref>{{cite book |title=L.Gogoi, Ahom Jati aru Asamiya Sanskriti |pages=16}}</ref> For the promotion of sports and games he created offices like those of Sen-Chowa Barua, who was in charge of training of hawks and Kukura-Chowa Barua, in charge of training of cocks. Rudra Singha had created a new clan called khound consisting of some selected Sanyasis, for the duty of immersion of the ashes of the kings in the Ganges, they were employed as spies.

There were numbers of poets and scholars in his court. Of them the most notable was Kabiraj Chakravarty, who composed the famous drama Sankha-Chura-Bandha, and had translated the Abhiyana Sukuntalam and the Brahma-Vaivrata Purana into [[Assamese language|Assamese]].<ref>{{harvcol|Baruah|1985|p=293}}</ref> He encouraged exchanges with other kingdoms and sent ambassadors to other royal houses in various parts of India. He created ''khels'' or official positions specifically for diplomacy, like ''Khaund, Kotoki, Bairagi, Doloi, Kakoti''. He sent men to Delhi to learn music and Brahman boys to [[Gurukuls]] for Vedic and Sanskrit studies. He brought architects from outside for constructing the palace and other buildings in the new capital city, [[Rangpur (Ahom capital)|Rangpur]]. He introduced Mughal style dresses in the Ahom court.

=== Civil works ===
* In honour of the memory of his mother [[Joymoti Konwari]], he dug the [[Joysagar Tank]], India's largest man-made tank covering an area of {{convert|318|acre|km2}}, including its four banks.[[File:Joysagar.jpg|thumb|200px|Joysagar Lake in Sibsagar]]
* In 1703, he built the [[Rangnath Dol]] near the Borduar, or main gateway, on the way from the Joysagar Tank to the Talatal Ghar - for the offering of prayers to Shiva.
* Before the [[Ranganath Dol]], a pyramid-shaped temple named Fakuwa Dol was constructed in 1703–04, for the celebration of Holi
* Numerous other architectural monuments and structures are credited to him, including the [[Namdang stone bridge]] of Gaurisagar, and the Kharikatia Ali (''ali'' meaning road in [[Assamese language|Assamese]]) - leading from Kharikatia to Titabor. The Namdang bridge, a stone bridge 60m long, 6.5m wide, and 1.7m thick was built over the [[Namdang River]] in 1703. It is one of the best examples of the engineering workmanship and skill of the Ahom era. This bridge, on National Highway no.37, has been proudly providing service for the last 300 years.

==Death==
Rudra Singha was seized with a dangerous illness during his stay at Guwahati camp. He died after eight days of his first attack of illness on 27 August 1714. From his death bed he injuncted, that all of his five sons should become kings in a consecutive manner.<ref name=":0" />

== Character and legacy ==
The most striking events of his reign, which extended over seventeen eventful years, were the war against the [[Kachari Kingdom|Kachari]] and [[Jaintia Kingdom|Jaintia]] kings. Although illiterate, Rudra Singha was possessed with of retentive memory and of exceptional intelligence. He is regarded as the greatest Ahom King. It is also said that he received the submission of all the tribes, and to have established extensive trade with [[Tibet]], abandoning the policy of isolation of his predecessor to some extent, he encouraged intercourse between the different countries and sent envoys to them of [[India]]. He studied foreign customs and adopted those he thought were good. He imported many artificers from Bengal, and also established many schools for Brahmans.<ref>{{harvcol|Gait|1906|p=181}}</ref>

==Issues and descendants==

{{Tree list}}
* [[Rudra Singha]]
** [[Siva Singha]]
***Ugra Singha Tipam Raja
** [[Pramatta Singha]]
*** Molou Gohain Tipam Raja
*** Madhab Gohain Charing Raja
****Kana Gohain
*****Bano Gohain
** Barjana Gohian alias [[Mohanmala Gohain]]
***Nal Santa
****Lerilla Santa
****Molia Santa
** [[Rajeswar Singha]]
*** Ratneswar
**** Bijoy Bormura
***** Brajanath Gohain
****** [[Purandar Singha]]
** [[Lakshmi Singha]]
*** [[Gaurinath Singha]]
****Jayanti Aideo
*****Narayani Aideo<ref>{{harvcol|Baruah|1993|pp=286–287}}</ref>
{{Tree list/end}}

== See also ==
* [[Ahom Dynasty]]
* [[Joy dol]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibiolography ==
*{{cite book |last1=Gogoi |first1=Lila |title=The Buranjis, Historical Literature of Assam |date=1986 |publisher=Omsons Publications |location=the University of Michigan}}
*{{cite book |last1=Bhuyan |first1=Suryya Kumar |title=Studies in the Literature of Assam |date=1956 |publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall}}
* {{Citation |last=Chaudhuri |first = Bikach |contribution = Tripura: A Peep into the Past| year = 2016| title = History of Tripura: As Reflected in the Manuscripts |editor-last=Poddar |editor-first=Satyadeo | pages = 26–28| place = New Delhi| publisher = National Mission for Manuscripts}}
*{{Citation| first = S.L. | last = Baruah| title = A Comprehensive History of Assam| year = 1985| publisher = Munshiram Manoharlal}}
* {{Citation |last=Sarkar |first=J. N. |contribution=THE MONARCHY AT ITS ZENITH|editor-last=Barpujari |editor-first=H. K. |title=The Comprehensive History of Assam |volume=2 |pages=257–85 |publisher=Assam Publication Board |place=Guwahati |year=1992}}
*{{Cite book |last1=Devi |first1=Lakshmi |title=Ahom-tribal Relations- A Political Study |date=1968 |location=Lawyer's Book Stall |pages=210–261}}
* {{Citation |last=Baruah |first=S. L. |title=Last Days of Ahom Monarchy |place=New Delhi |year=1993}}
*{{cite book |last1= Gait |first1= Sir Edward (1906)|title= A History of Assam|date=1906| publisher= LBS Publications|location=Gauhati University}}
*{{cite book |last1=Gogoi |first1=Khagen |title=Ahom warfare evolution nature and strategy |date=2017 |location=Gauhati University}}
* {{cite book |last=Bhuyan |first=S K |contribution=Introduction |title=Tripura Buranji |year=1938 |publisher=Govt of Assam |location=Gauhati, Assam |url=https://archive.org/details/TripuraBuranjiedSuryyaKumarBhuiyan1938}}
*{{cite book |last1=Basu |first1=NK |title= Assam in the Ahom Age, 1228-1826: Being Politico-economic and Socio-cultural Studies |date=1970 |publisher=Sanskrit Pustak Bhandar}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sukhrungphaa}}
[[Category:Ahom kings]]
[[Category:1660s births]]
[[Category:1714 deaths]]
[[Category:Hindu monarchs]]

Sukhrungpha - Revision history

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