Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday attended the celebrations marking the 516th Biswa Mahabir Chilarai Divas at Pipora Dookan in Darrang district. The programme was organised by the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Government of Assam, in collaboration with the Darrang district administration, the Koch Rajbongshi Development Council and the All Assam Koch Rajbongshi Sanmilani.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister unveiled the statue of Maharaja Krishnanarayan of the Darrang kingdom and virtually inaugurated the newly constructed Chilarai Bhawans at Mangaldoi and Golaghat. He also paid rich tributes to Mahabir Chilarai on behalf of the people of Assam.
Speaking at the event, Sarma described Mahabir Chilarai as not only a courageous military commander but also a key architect of Assam’s golden era. “The model he established in language, literature, culture, spirituality and social reform remains an invaluable legacy,” the Chief Minister said. He added that Chilarai’s scholarship, pursuit of knowledge, and patronage of the arts gave a new dimension to Assam’s social life, and that the legacy of the Koch empire continues to shine through his achievements.
Highlighting the heritage of the Koch Rajbongshi dynasty, Sarma noted that historical records trace the rise of the Koch people in ancient Kamarupa from early times. During the 7th century, Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang observed that they lived in harmony with the Chutiyas. After overcoming the Pal dynasty in the 10th century, the Koch re-emerged as a significant regional power. Biswa Singha later laid the foundation of the Koch kingdom, which reached its peak under Maharaja Naranarayan, with Chilarai playing an indispensable role.
The Chief Minister also explained the origin of Chilarai’s name. Sukladhwaj earned the title ‘Chila’ for his lightning-fast and decisive strikes on the battlefield, later receiving the honorific ‘Rai’ to become Chilarai. Sarma praised Chilarai’s military organisation, describing it as remarkable even by modern standards, with the army divided into naval and land forces, and the land army further organised into infantry, cavalry and elephant corps.
Referring to Chilarai’s campaigns against the Ahoms, the Chief Minister said the general never lost resolve after setbacks. To overcome challenges posed by difficult terrain and poor communication, Chilarai initiated the construction of the historic Gohain Kamal Ali road from Koch Behar to Narayanpur under the leadership of his brother Gohain Kamal. Leading an army of 60,000, Chilarai captured the Ahom capital Gargaon and later extended his victories across the Kachari, Jaintia, Tripura and Sylhet regions, cementing his place as one of Assam’s most celebrated military leaders.
Sarma also highlighted the royal contributions of Maharaja Naranarayan and Chilarai in reviving spiritual traditions, including the reconstruction of the Kamakhya Temple and the Hayagriva Madhav Temple at Hajo after their destruction by Kalapahar. He emphasised Chilarai’s patronage of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev, which sparked a renaissance in Assamese culture, notably through the creation of the ‘Vrindavani Vastra’.
Describing Mahabir Chilarai and Lachit Barphukan as enduring symbols of courage and valour, Sarma urged the Assamese community to draw strength from their legacy. He also expressed concern over cultural and demographic challenges, noting that aggressive encroachment has pushed the Assamese community towards an identity crisis in areas once ruled by Chilarai and Naranarayan. He highlighted that Koch Rajbongshis in undivided Goalpara district are striving to preserve their identity amid immigration from Bangladesh.
The Chief Minister announced a grant of Rs 50 crore to preserve the heritage of the Darrang kings and develop it as a tourism centre. He directed the Darrang district administration and Public Works Department to implement the project immediately. In addition, he announced allotment of land and construction of an office for the All Assam Koch Rajbongshi Sanmilani at Amingaon.
Minister of Cultural Affairs Bimal Bora, MLAs Basanta Das, Parmananda Rajbongshi, Chairman of the Koch Rajbongshi Development Council Kumar Pranab Narayan Dev, Chairman of the Assam State Fisheries Development Corporation Gurujyoti Das, Darrang Zila Parishad President Sewali Goswami Kalita, District Commissioner Pubali Gohain, Director of Cultural Affairs Rahul Das and several other dignitaries attended the programme.