Saikia

Saikia was a Paik officer of the Ahom militia under the Ahom Kingdom who led a hundred paiks. There was a similar office in the Koch kingdom as well. Today, this name is used by many as a surname, and this name does not indicate ethnic identity. The Saikia in the Paik system was higher in rank to the Bora (in charge of 20 paiks) but lower in rank to the Hazarika (in charge of a thousand paiks).

Etymology

The word Saikia, (Assamese: শইকীয়া Xôykiya) (Ahom language - Ru-Pak) (Template:IPA-as) is a derivative of the Assamese word - Xô, meaning 'one hundred - 100'. It was a military title given to the officials of the Ahom monarchy.

Historical Usage

The Ahom Kingdom of medieval Assam used the Paik system, a form of corvee labour In this system, a Paik (one soldier) was the tiniest unit of the Ahom military system. A Saikia was the commanding officer of 100 such paiks. The appointment of a Saikia was the responsibility of his Phukan (commander of 6000 paiks) or Rajkhowa (governor of a territory who could command 2000 to 3000 paiks). The paiks had the right to reject a Saikia and request another officer of their choice. Appointments were made irrespective of the paik's religion or ethnicity.

Current Usage

Over the years, the usage of this title has ceased to be a professional or military title. The surname is now common to Hindus in Assam. Among the Hindus, the surname is mostly written by Chutia, Kalita, Koch, Sonowal Kacharis and Thengal Kacharis.

Notable people

• Ankush Saikia - Novelist, editor, and former journalist
• Anupam Saikia - Mathematician
• Baneswar Saikia - Politician of Revolutionary Communist Party of India
• Bhabendra Nath Saikia - Physicist, Novelist, Film director.
• Hiteswar Saikia - Politician, Chief Minister of Assam from 1983 to 1985 and 1991–1996.
• Mrinal Saikia, Indian politician
• Nagen Saikia - Writer