Sunyeopha also Lakshmi Singha (c. 1713 – 13 December 1780), was the 34th Ahomking, who reigned from 1769 to 1780. After the death of Suremphaa, he married the Queen Kuranganayani and became the king of the Ahom kingdom. Shortly after he was installed he became a captive of the rebels of the Moamoria rebellion for a few months but soon managed to regained his kingdom. With the help of Kuranganayani, after destroying all the Moamoria rebels including Borbaruah Ragho, Lakshmi Singha was once again crowned as king of Ahom kingdom.
Despite his alleged illegitimacy, Kalsiliya Gohain at the age of 53, was made king by Kirti Chandra Borbarua in 1769. After his accession, he took the Hindu name of Lakshmi Singha and Ahom name of Sunyeopha, soon after he took measures to exile the sons of Rajeswar Singha to Namrup. His reign witnessed the first challenge to the Ahom government in the form of Moamoria rebellion.
The Moamorias started their rebellion towards the close of October 1769, allied themselves with banished princes and nobles (Mohanmala Gohain and two sons of Rajeswar Singha.) [2]
Through their help they managed to gain the support even of the royalist. The Moamorias managed to captured Rangpur, and captured the king along with most of his nobles and executed many of them. But Lakshmi Singha was spared at the intercession of Mayamara Mahanta.
In 1770, the surviving royalists striked back, killed the chief Moamoria leaders, restored the monarchy and initiated a general massacre of the rebels and their associates. After his restoration, Lakshmi Singha ordered fresh settlement in Darrang, by increasing the rate of assesement. This created dissension among the Darrangis, accordingly four thousand inhabitants of Darrang marched in a body and forcibly appeared in front of the palace, protested and yeiled their demand. King Lakshmi Singha, having no way out, ordered suspension of the settlement of Darrang.[3]
The remaining years of Lakshmi Singha reign were spent suppressing various minor rebellions and conspiracies, many of them organised by exiled Ahom princes. Kekura Kalita Phukan, who had previously obtained high favour of the Ahom king, after being driven away at the suggestion of the Patra Mantris (council ministers), organised a rebellion and procalimed himself as the king. But he was executed at time. A group of Muslims under the leadership of one Hazari Dewan, attempted to place an acclaimed son of Mohanmala Gohain to the throne, however they were unsuccessful and were let go with a light punishment. In 1779, the Chutias of Sadiya under a chief of Nara raised a rebellion and killed the Sadiya–Khowa Gohain, but were subdued.
Lakshmi Singha died on 13 December 1780, and was succeeded by his son Gaurinath Singha, who was already declared Juvaraj (hier–apparent) in 1777.[4] He's body was cremated according to Hindu rituals and his ashes and bones were then entombed in a Maidam, after being taken to Charaideo.[5]
Religious Policies
After being refused the initiation of Parvatiya Gosain on the grounds of his based illegitimacy, Lakshmi Singha took initiation of one Assamese Brahman named Ramananda Acharya and established him at Pahumara.[6] Parvatiya Gosain with the view of deposing Lakshmi Singha supported the claims of other Ahom princes like Bhudar Singha and Malau Gohain, when revealed, King Lakshmi Singha expelled the Parvatiya Gosain. Eventually, the order of expulsion was withdrawn, but the schism once created couldn't be wiped out.[7]
Civil works
Lakshmi Singha is credited with the construction of–
Bogi Dol, currently exists in ruins.
Rudrasagarar Dol, last temple built during the Ahom era which represents grandeur before its overall decline in temple building and architectural building.
Hajor Jay Durga Mandir
Janardan Mandir
Bogi Dolor Pukhuri
Gauri Ballabh Dol, constructed by the son of Na–Gosain and currently exists in Jaysagar.
Iswaneswar, lies in ruins near Talatal Ghar campus.
^"King Laksmi Singha was born at the royal camp at
Kalsila during Rudra Singha's time." (Gogoi 1994:404)
^"The Moamariyas then made alliance with the three exiled Ahom princes–Mohanmala Gohain, the third son of Rudra Singha, and Charu Singha and Ratneswar, both sons of Rajeswar Singha, assuring them in case they won success, they would place one of them to the throne.The rebels calculated that such a declaration could create confusion in the royalist camp, fore these princes. Especially Mohanmala Gohain were extremely popular and their banishment was considered as an act of grave injustice on the part of Ahom government".(Baruah 1985:309)
^"They communicated to the king that if their grievances were not listened to and readdressed, they were resolved to die on the spot". (Baruah 1985:316)
^"Swargadeo Lakshmi Singha died on December 13, 1780, leaving a son named Lokenath Gohain and two daughters. To ensure the succession of his son, King Lakshmi Singha, with the concurrence of the nobles, had appointed Lokenath Gohain as Juvaraj or heir-apparent in 1777. There had been several conspiracies during the life-time of Lakshmi Singha to kill him and his son. They lived and moved very cautiously, and the conspirators once regretted that all their designs had been frustrated as the royal pair refrained from taking any medicine."(Bhuyan 1949:217)
