Sarbananada Singha

Statue of Matak King Sarbananda Singha in the middle of Tinkunia Pukhuri, Tinsukia.

Sarbananda Singha, originally known as Mejera, was a Moamoria leader and the first ruler of the autonomous Matak Rajya in eastern Assam. He was Buruk Chutia by ethnicity.

Sarbananda was selected as ruler by his followers after returning to his own area, and subsequently assumed the name Sarbananda Singha and the title of Swargadeo. His autonomous territory had its capital at Bengmara, in present-day Tinsukia district of the Indian state of Assam. He ruled the Matak polity from 1805 to 1839 and was succeeded by his eldest son, Matibor Borsenapoti.

Early life and background

Sarbananda Singha was the son of Merutnandan. He was originally known by the name Mejera. He was Buruk Chutia by ethnicity. According to an 1838 account, Sarbananda Singha and his father, Merutnandan, were natives of the district of Sadiya, while Sarbananda's son, Matibar Barsenapati, was born on the Upper Dibru.

According to Sristidhar Dutta, after Mejera returned to his own area, his followers chose him as their ruler. Following his selection, Mejera adopted the name Sarbananda Singha and assumed the royal title Swargadeo.

Ruler of Matak Rajya

Sarbananda Singha became the first ruler of the autonomous region known as Matak Rajya, which existed from 1805 to 1839 under his rule. The political centre of the territory was located at Bengmara, an area that forms part of the present-day Tinsukia district of Assam.

His rise took place in the wider context of the political disturbances associated with the Moamoria rebellion. As a Moamoria leader, Sarbananda emerged as an important authority among the groups opposing the Ahom government.

Coins issued in the name of Sarbananda Singha provide evidence of the royal authority claimed and exercised by him during the period of Matak autonomy.

Conflict with the Ahom government

During his struggle against the Ahom government, Sarbananda Singha received assistance from a group of Singphos. His position, however, came under pressure after the Ahom statesman Purnananda Burhagohain recovered Rangpur and subsequently sent an expedition against him.

Faced with the advancing Ahom expedition, Sarbananda was compelled to retreat to a Singpho village. While there, he sought outside assistance and dispatched envoys to the Burmese court, appealing for support against the Ahom government.

These events formed part of the prolonged contest for political authority in Upper Assam during the later stages of the Moamoria disturbances.

Succession

Sarbananda Singha was succeeded by his eldest son, Matibor Borsenapoti, who became the second ruler of the Matak Kingdom. The succession continued the ruling house established under Sarbananda in the autonomous Matak territory.

Legacy

Sarbananda Singha is remembered in the history of the Matak polity as its first ruler and as one of the prominent leaders associated with the Moamoria movement. His rule was centred on Bengmara, in the area of present-day Tinsukia. A statue commemorating Sarbananda Singha stands in the middle of Tinkunia Pukhuri in Tinsukia. Coins attributed to his reign have also been discussed in historical scholarship on the Matak Kingdom.