Bir Chilarai: An Indigenous War Hero

By Nava Thakuria, New Age Islam 1 March 2024 The makeshift platform, erected on the bank of mighty river Brahmaputra, was readied to narrate the inspiring story of Bir Chilarai, the younger brother of Maharaj Narnarayan, the 16th century great Koch king of eastern India, who astonished everyone with his bravery, clever diplomacy, patriotism and scholarly personality. The illuminating stage under the soothing full moon started unfolding the events where Shukladhwaj emerged as Sangram Singha and later Chilarai as he was as swift as a majestic kite (Chila or Chilani in Assamese language), while leading his troops to strike down enemies and so was named by his soldiers. Dramatic journey of the brilliant strategist, a passionate art connoisseur and a Sanskrit scholar ended with his demise on the bank of Ganges. Presented by Pragya Foundation on the 514th birth anniversary of Chilarai, the play was staged on 24 & 25 February 2024 highlighting the unique qualities of the supreme-commander of Koch armed forces. Based on a novel penned by Nayanjyoti Bhattacharya and directed by Purnima Pathak Saikia, the action-packed play created some golden moments from the pages of eastern India’s history. Chilarai in a real sense materialised the dream of Bor Asom, once nurtured by his father Biswa Singha along with his trusted brother Shiva Singha. Needless to mention that the birth anniversary of Chilarai (1510–1571) is observed in both the government and community levels with fanfare. With an aim to honour his courage, valour and patriotism, Assam government observes Bir Chilarai Divas annually on the full moon day of Magh in the Assamese calendar year (which changes within the month of February). Declared it as a State holiday, the day also witnesses an important award conferred by the government on an NCC Cadet of Assam every year. Both the Koch royal brothers are always adored by the people of Assam for their enormous contribution to rebuild Kamakhya temple (one of the major Shakti Peeths of Bharat) atop Nilachal hills in Guwahati and much needed patronage to Srimanta Sankaradev, who shaped Assamese art, culture and literature. The 15th century Vaishnavite saint, philosopher, scholar, artiste, singer, poet, who preached Ek Saran Naam Dharma in this part of the country. Chilarai (who incidentally married the niece of Sankaradev) not only safeguarded Sankaradev, but also supported the Vaishnavite movement. Later Naranarayan also preached Vaishnavism. With sustained royal patronage, Sankaradev could engage himself in creative exercises and composed many prose & poems on Vaishnavism. They also erected Modhupur Satra (Vaishnavite monastery) near present day Cooch Behar in West Bengal in honour of Sankaradev. Historians say, Sankaradev was chased by the then Ahom king and he had to move towards the west for survival. Without the protection of Narnarayan –Chilarai, Sankaradev would not have even lived for long. Often some intellectuals interpret this fact as a hate speech against Ahom rulers, without realizing that if Lachit Barphukan could not defeat the Mughal invaders in the battle of Saraighat, the socio-cultural fabrics of this part of the world would have been changed forever. The indigenous populace will continue admiring both Chilarai and Lachit for decades to come. Recently, while a senior Assamese editor-journalist put a comment on social media with ill motives over the issue (of harassment to Sankaradev by Ahom rulers), many came out opposing his inherent intention to make both the Koch and Ahom communities fight each other. The editor of an Assamese daily newspaper and also a satellite news channel, cleverly meant the Ahoms as cruel, which was strongly rejected by the conscious citizens of Assam. Initially they opposed his comment on social media, but soon it reached the streets of Guwahati as many agitators arrived in the office of his news channel and demanded an apology. They also threatened to boycott the said newspaper if the editor does not respond to their annoyances. Some social media users posted long video pieces denouncing the editor’s mentality and conspiracy to break the greater Assamese society and many of them even write articles in newspapers. Of course, a few tried to defuse the tension saying that the editor made only a brief comment and he even did not mention the name of Ahom. So the reaction against him was out of proportion and should be minimized as early as possible. There is logic that the editor has been targeted for a personal comment with misinterpretation. He has not penned any media column over the issue and his news channel remains silent over it. So both the media outlets should not be targeted by any organisation or individual for the prolific writer’s views. However, one may definitely question him if it was right to play with the words only to spread venom on a particular community! Was it an intentional attempt to malign the Ahoms, who ruled this region for six centuries till the brutal aggression of Maan (from present day Myanmar) that led to the signing of Yandabo Treaty in 1826! Moreover, we need to take out all positive qualities of our heroes in the bygone eras and redefine their personalities to inspire the new generation. It’s not the time for quarrels or conflicts among ourselves, rather an era of patriotism with great wisdom. We must rise above the parochial mentalities and join hands to contribute for the nation, as legendary music maestro Bhupen Hazarika rightly said each Asomiya is a good Bharatiya and we have to live with that spirit always. Otherwise, Assam will only go to hell only, which we cannot accept at any cost. ------ Nava Thakuria is a northeast India-based professional journalist who is an engineering graduate. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/bir-chilarai-indigenous-war-hero/d/131823 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism