Sukladhvaja, popularly known as Bir Chilarai was a Commander-in-Chief and Dewan (Prime Minister) of the Koch kingdom during the reign of Maharaja Naranarayana, the emperor of Kamata-Kamarupa (1533-1587). He was the third son of Viswa Singha, the founder of the Koch dynasty.
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| Real Name | Yuvaraj Sukladhvaja |
|---|---|
| Popular name | Chilarai |
| Born | 1510 |
| Died | 1571 |
| Children | Raghudev |
| Parents | Biswa Singha (father); Padmavati (mother) |
| Monarch | Naranarayana |
| Succeeded by | Viswa Singha |
| Profession | Commander-in-chief of Koch army and Prime Minister |
| Allegiance | Koch dynasty |
Of the 18 sons of Viswa Singha, only four have left a stamp in the history of Assam and Coch Bihar, namely, Narasimha, Naranarayana, Chilarai, and Gosain Kamal, according to seniority in age. Before Viswa Singha’s death, the different sons for different functions were discharged based on some kind of lottery by which Naranarayana would succeed him as king, with Sukladhvaja as the Commander-in-Chief and Dewan (Prime Minister).
Early life
Bir Chilarai was born on a fine full moon day. He was the great patron of learning and arts, which is borne out by many appreciative references by contemporary scholars and poets to the patronage extended by them. Sankaradeva and Madhavdeva, (the great Vaisnava poets and religious reformers), Ram Saraswati (the translator-in-chief of the Mahabharata), Pitambara, and a few other 16th-century poets have gratefully acknowledged the patronage of Sukladhvaja and his elder brother Naranarayana.
Chilarai reflects not only the heritage and tradition of ancient Kamarupa but also the inner personality and special character traits of Chilarai. The white dress is symbolic of the victory flag of Assam culture. In the great battle of Kurukshetra, the then king of Kamarupa Bhagadatta, demonstrated the glory of Kamarupa, riding a white elephant and carrying a white flag in his hand. In the same manner, Chilarai also displayed the glory of Kamarapura, through his many conquests by riding his favorite white horse, with a white flag in hand.
History of Bir Chilarai
Chilarai also built a fort at Narayanpur to facilitate his military and administrative works. At that time he faced a sudden attack by the Ahom king, Suklengmung. As a retaliatory measure, Chilarai launched a massive attack on the Ahom kingdom some years later. The invasion of the Ahom kingdom by Chilarai in 1562 was the second invasion of the Ahom kingdom by the Koches, the first having been launched in 1546, during the reign of Ahom king Suklenmung. Gait states the following events relating to the hostilities with the Koches.
Read Also: Veer Sambudhan Phonglo History
Also Read: About Ahom kingdom kings listIn the course of a single military expedition (1562-1564), he conquered all the kingdoms of the then Eastern Region of India, without facing a single defeat. He led a combined Army of 600000 men, comprising 532000 land forces and two Naval Divisions, which by any standard was a great achievement in itself. Even the great Napoleon commanded an army of a little more or less the same strength, 250 years later, in 1812, when he invaded Russia but with total disaster. It was because of the invincible Chilarai that during the reign of Nara Narayana, neither the Afghans nor the Mughals succeeded in making any inroads into eastern India, beyond the Korotowa. Even the great 17th-century warrior-hero, Shivaji couldn’t win so many laurels as Chilarai did. Then, unlike many legendary heroes, Chilarai was a person of great versatility which most people are not aware of.
In the course of Chilarai’s second military expedition against ‘Asama’, as the huge Koch Army arrive at Amingaon, the Chutia came there and welcomed Naranarayana and Chilarai. Thereafter, the Koch army made rapid advances through the Darrang district and then marched into Tezpur. On the way, Chilarai riding his famous horse, crossed the Bhoroli adjacent to the existing Maha Bhairabi temple by a single jump just like the ‘kite’ over its prey. So he earned his name Chilarai because of his sudden, speedy movement in attacking enemies like the kite.
Bir Chilarai Divas
Chilarai Divas is an annual regional public holiday observed all over Assam. According to the Hindu calendar, it falls in Phagun Maah (February) of Purnima on the fine full moon day. These divas are celebrated on the birth anniversary of Bir Chilarai which was declared by the Government of Assam in 2005.
Top Questions
Q.1 Who was Bir Chilarai?
Ans:- Chilarai was the legendary Koch generalissimo, who held the position of Commander-in-Chief and Prime Minister during the reign of Maharaja Naranarayana.
Q.2 Why do we celebrate Chilarai divas?
Ans:- Chilarai Divas is an annual regional public holiday observed all over Assam. According to the Hindu calendar, it falls in Phagun Maah (February) of Purnima on the fine full moon day. These divas are celebrated on the birth anniversary of Bir Chilarai and were declared by the Government of Assam in 2005.
Q.3 Who was the founder of the Koch dynasty?
Ans:- Viswa Singha was the founder of the Koch dynasty.
Q.4 What was the real name of Chilarai?
Ans:- The real name of Chilarai was Sukladhvaja.
Q.5 When was Chilarai born?
Ans:- Born in 1510.
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