Hazarika

From Bharatpedia, an open encyclopedia


Hazarika was a Paik officer under the administration of the Ahom kingdom and Koch kingdom.[1] The commander over 1,000 (Hazar) paiks was known as a Hazarika. As it was a purely administrative position, the title holder could belong to diverse ethnic groups.

The surname mostly belongs to the Ahom, Chutia and Koch ethnic groups. Apart from the Ahom Hazarikas, there is also mention of Chutia Hazarikas in several instances of Buranjis. For example, during the reign of the Ahom king Susenphaa, the Banrukia Hazarika was of Chutia origins.[2] At the start of the Moamoria rebellion, Kirtichandra Barbarua first sent a force led by a Chutia Hazarika to fight the rebels, but was killed in the battle.[3] During the Dafala invasion of 1672 AD, a Chutia Hazarika was involved in the battle with the Dafalas.[4] After the fall of the Chutia kingdom, Hazarikas were appointed among Chutia blacksmiths and other guilds to look after the works.[5]

Hazarika was also an administrative position in the Koch army. There is mention of a Koch Hazarika in wars against the Ahoms.[6]

Previously, the surname was also written by some Sonowal Kacharis, but it was later replaced by the Sonowal surname. Some Kaibarta people have also started using the surname in recent times.

Notable Hazarika people[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Kakoty, Sanjeeb (2003). Technology, Production And Social Formation In The Evolution Of The Ahom State. Regency Publications. ISBN 9788187498735.
  2. Barua, Gopalchandra, Ahom Buranji, p. 29
  3. Barua, Gopalchandra, Ahom Buranji, p. 294.
  4. Barua, Gopalchandra, Ahom Buranji, pp. 219-220.
  5. (Sarma 1993:287) Dewanar Atla: "Suhungmung or Swarganarayan, after defeating Dhirnarayana and his minister Kasitora, received a number of Dola, Kali..Hiloi and gunpowder (Kalai-khar). Besides these, he also made a number of blacksmiths (Komar) prisoners, settled them either at Bosa (in present-day Jorhat district) or Ujjoni regions and ordered them to make iron implements and weapons (Dah, Katari, Hiloi, Bortop). A section of them were appointed as Saikias and Hazarikas to look after the works. It was only during the time of Suhungmung that the guild of blacksmiths and its trade started in Assam (Ahom kingdom). There were three thousand blacksmiths during this period."
  6. "The Koch Hazarika in charge of the fleet had watched as the Ahom boats pushed out into the river,"

Bibliography[edit]

  • Sarma, Benudhar (1993), Maniram Dewan, Guwahati: Manuh Prakashan
Information red.svg
Scan the QR code to donate via UPI
Dear reader, We kindly request your support in maintaining the independence of Bharatpedia. As a non-profit organization, we rely heavily on small donations to sustain our operations and provide free access to reliable information to the world. We would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to consider donating to our cause, as it would greatly aid us in our mission. Your contribution would demonstrate the importance of reliable and trustworthy knowledge to you and the world. Thank you.

Please select an option below or scan the QR code to donate
₹150 ₹500 ₹1,000 ₹2,000 ₹5,000 ₹10,000 Other