✒️:. Muhammad Talha Amin Baruah
The Goriya community is one of the largest indigenous Muslim groups in Assam. They played a significant role in the administrative fabric of the Ahom Kingdom. Within the Ahom administrative structure, the position of Katakis held particular importance. Katakis were envoys responsible for diplomatic relations with neighboring powers, making their role crucial in maintaining the kingdom’s external relations and security. Historical accounts and Buranjis (Ahom chronicles) indicate that the Assamese Muslims (or Goriya community), were appointed in this position. We could only trace three Goriya men from the Buranjis who served the Ahom Kings at Katakis. Their roles are discussed as fellows.
Suhum Goriya – He is perhaps the first known Muslim man serving as a Kataki for the Ahom King.¹ Suhum was in the service of Swargadeo Jayadhwaj Singha. During the time Ahoms surrendered to Mir Jumla II, the Buragohain sent Suhum Goriya as an envoy to Diler Khan at Tipam. The letter that Suhum carried was an agreement of the Ahoms to send Ramani Gabhuru for the Mughal harem.² This incident is recorded I Satsari Asam Buranji.
Sultan Goriya – Another important figure from the Buranjis. Sultan was in service of the Ahom King Chakradhwaj Singha. When Jayadhwaj Singha died, and his brother Chakradhwaj succeeded him, he sent Sultan Goriya along with Madhab Charan (a Hindu) as an envoy to the Mughals. The envoy was sent to inform that Jayadhwaj Singha had passed away and that the new King has ascended the throne. The Mughal commanders namely Rustam Beg and Sheikh Kamal had a consultation with Sultan and Madhab, forwarding the news to Rashid Khan, the Mughal Faujdar who was at Dibrugarh.³ The entire event can be found in Ahom Buranji. Another event regarding Sultan Goriya is that Chakrapani, the Gohain of Samuguri, conspired with several others in a treacherous plot against Ahom authority; yet, it was Sultan Goriya’s devoted service to the Ahom Monarch that he uncovered and thwarted these plots. He is said to have been a trusted bodyguard of the Ahom King.⁴
Likchow Goriya Baksh – Laluksola Borphukan wanted to gain absolute power in the Ahom kingdom. He secretly negotiated with Azamtara, offering to surrender the garrison of Guwahati to the Mughals in exchange for their support to him. His move was also motivated by his rivalry with the Prime minister ; Atan Burhagohain. Laluksola sent an envoy to Nawab Mansur Khan (the Faujdar of Rangamati) through two Katakis. One of them was Likchow Goriya Baksh.⁵ This event is noted in Satsari Asam Buranji.
References :
- Proceedings of North East India History Association, Volume 17 (1996). NEIHA. Pg. 148
- The Comprehensive history of Assam, Volume 2 (Reprint 2016) edited by Dr. H.K. Barpujari. Publication board of Assam. Pg. 188
- Ahom-Buranji : From the Earliest time to the end of Ahom Rule (1930) edited by Rai Saheb Golap Chandra Barua. Baptist Mission Press, Calcutta. Pg. 186
- Re-Imagining Northeast Writings and Narratives: Language, Culture and Border Identity (2024) edited by Kharingpam & Malik. SLC India Publishers. Pg. 193
- Atan Buragohain and his times (1957) by Suryya Kumar Bhuyan. Lawyer’s Book Stall. Pg. 148
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