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

Sarbananda Singh or Mejera[1] was a Moamoria leader. He was Matak Chutia by ethnicity.[2][3] He was the first ruler of the autonomous region called Matak rajya (1805–1839), selected by his followers,[4] with its capital in Bengmara, in what is now Tinsukia district in the Indian state of Assam.[5][6] He was the son of Merutnandan. He was succeeded by his eldest son Matibor Borsenapoti as the second ruler of the Matak Kingdom.

He was assisted by a group of Singhpos against the Ahom government. Sarbananda Singha later has to retreat to a Singpho village when Purnananda Burhagohain after recovering Rangpur sent a expedition against him, for which he Sarbananda Singha sent envoys to Burmese court for assistance.[7]

Notes

  1. ^ "Mejera now assumed the name Sarbananda Singha and took the title 'Swargadeo"(Dutta 1985:190)
  2. ^ "The Buruk-Chutiyas, according to P. Saikia are the direct descendants of the Chutia royal family. Sarbananda Singha, the rulers of the Mataks is said to be a Buruk-Chutiya by caste."(Dutta 1985:31)
  3. ^ Journal of Asiatic Society of Bengal(1838), p.677., "The Bor Senapati is a Boorook Sooteah; his ancestors were natives of the district of Sadiya; but he was born on the Upper Dibroo."
  4. ^ "Mejera returned to his own area. His followers then selected him as their ruler (Dutta 1985:190)
  5. ^ Sristidhar Dutta (1996). The Mataks, the Morans, and the Moamaria rebellion. Omsons. p. 90. ISBN 978-8171171491.
  6. ^ "Coins of Swargadeo Sarbananda Singh". Journal of Indian History. 61–63: 124. 1983.
  7. ^ (Dutta 1985:191)

References

  • Dutta, Sristidhar (1985), The Mataks and their Kingdom, Allahabad: Chugh Publications


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