Sukhrungpha
Swargadeo Rudra Singha, with Tai name Sukhrungphaa, was the 30th Ahom king, reigning from 1696 to 1714 A.D. His father Gadadhar Singha freed Assam from the Mughal disturbances and internal conspiracies, thereby Rudra Singha inherited a stable state and government and had the advantage of the solid foundations laid by his father. He devoted his time to transform Assam into a first-rate power in India. He stopped the persecution of the Neo-Vaisnava sect and built temples, several public works, and patronized art, literature, and culture. Rudra Singha is also famed for being the real father of Ahom architecture. He giving up the isolationist policy of his predecessors forged diplomatic ties with various states of that time and established extensive trade with Bengal.
He remodeled the administrative structure and army and carried on aggressive warfare upon the neighboring chiefdoms and countries, the Jaintias and Dimasas submitted and became vassals. Rudra Singha strengthened by various factors built a coalition of rulers in the region and raised a vast composite army against the Mughal Empire. He died on the eve of his march west from Guwahati, he was succeeded by his eldest son, Siva Singha.
He is considered as the most illustrious of the Ahom kings, under whom the kingdom reached its zenith of power and glory. During Rudra Singha's reign, the Ahom nobility was far better organized than ever and stood behind the king representing the cherished feudal values and aspirations.
Military campaigns
Expedition of Dimasa Kingdom
Ahoms had long considered the Dimasas as their vassals. The Dimasa Kings became reluctant to accept the thapita-sanchita status; to recognize Ahom hegemony. When the Dimasa King Tamadhwaj boldly asserted his independence and claimed territory up to Mahang in a letter sent in 1704–05, this greatly infuriated the Ahom King. Ahoms on the other side launched an offensive. In December 1706, an expedition was launched in two divisions simultaneously; one under Dihingia Deka Borbarua with 37,000 men was to proceed through the Dhansiri route and another one under Pani Phukan with 34,000 men through the Kapili route. The Ahom strategy was to attack from two sides so they could not concentrate their force on any one direction. Rudra Singha personally supervised the whole expedition at the headquarters, Biswanath.March
Dihingia Deka Borbarua, in order to maintain communications and facilitate the transmission of supplies, forts were constructed and garrisoned on the route. In between the neighboring Nagas caused frequent plunder of the Ahom supply convoys. Miri Archers were effectively deployed at various forts to stop the Naga menace. The Babaura's men at Namirafort defeated the defenders and made them flee. Between Dijoa and Lenguria the Nagas joined the Dimasa's and killed a large number of Ahom rice-porters. Additional reinforcement was sent for the safeguard of food provisions and for strengthening the captured forts.
The Borbaura's force advanced with fresh vigor. From Lathee the Dimasas fled to Tarang and thence Hajo-Lalung fort. They fled after an encounter and the Borbaura's force occupied the empty fort. The Borbarua then advanced pursuing the enemies to Maibang and occupied the fort in mid-February 1707. At Maibang considerable war spoils were gained.
The Pani Phukan's route lay through Raha, Salgaon, Lambur, Dharmapur, Demera, and Nadereng to Maibang. As there was no regular road the army had to cut its way through dense jungle. A garrison of 3,000 men was left at Demera which was occupied; other places were sacked, and 322 prisoners were taken. Meanwhile, the Pani Phukan came to know about the occupation of Maibang by the Barbarua and informed the king about the latter. The superior strength of the Ahom army overawed the Kacharis who could not repel the invasion. After the occupation of Maibang the king ordered further advance up to Khaspur to arrest the Dimasa king. But at Maibang the troops suffered greatly because of the pestilential climate and many including the Borbarua fell ill. Supplies ran short. Inaction in place of vigor seized the camp. The Pani Phukan and other commanders were sent orders to march up to Khaspur, but could not march further as there was a shortage of supplies and many soldiers had died. The remaining soldiers too, were suffering from the pestilential climate of Maibang. But still, accordingly, a contingent was sent to Khaspur and encamped at Mai-Lang-Dam. From there three messengers were sent to the Dimasa raja to submit to the Ahom king.On the other hand, the king ordered to bring the Borbaura along with the sick soldiers to Demera, the Borbarua, now seriously ill, died during the return journey to Demera at Kelemu camp. At this point, Rudra Singha decided upon to abandon the expedition and ordered the army to return.
Return
In March 1707 the king recalled the Pani Phukan who brought back the whole force after demolishing the brick fort at Maibang, burning down houses there and erecting a thirteen feet high pillar to commemorate his success. Fortifications were made at Demera where a strong garrison was left, which had to be withdrawn by the king owing to sickness and mortality with the setting in of the rains. Terrified by the advancing Ahom armies, Tamradhvaj fled to Bikrampur and sent an urgent appeal for help to Ram Singh, King of Jaintia Kingdom.Expedition of Jaintia Kingdom
Tamradhwaj fled to Bikrampur and sent an urgent appeal for help to Ram Singh, King of Jaintia, on thewithdrawal of the Ahom forces, he sent a second message to Ram Singh, saying that help was not necessary. Ram Singh now decided to take advantage of the dispersal of the Dimasa troops by the Ahoms, hatched a treacherous plan to seize the person of the Dimasa king with a view to gaining possession and control of the Dimasa kingdom; under the pretext of a friendly meeting, he seized Tamradhwaj along with his wife and carried him off to the Jaintia capital, Jaintipur.
The Kachari queen still in captivity, managed to send a message to Rudra Singha through a 'Bairagi', asking for forgiveness and begging for deliverance from his captor. Rudra Singh sent word to Ram Singh through - the Ahom officer in charge of the Ahom outpost at Jagi, demanding the immediate release of Tamradhvaj. Ram Singh refused, and Rudra Singh closed the market at Gobha on which the hill Jaintias depended for their supplies. Rudra Singha made preparations for the invasion of Jaintia territory. He established his headquarters at Misa for the expedition. He sent two divisions of the army, one under the Borbarua and the other under the Borphukan.
March
In December 1707, Surath Singha Borbarua with a force of 43,000 men and number of commanders, was to march towards Jaintiapur via the Kopili valley and the Dimasa country And the other division under the Borphukan advanced from the Barkharoi camp by the Gobha route, he was accompanied by the king of Darrang and the Phukan under the Buragohain, a Dafla and a Miri contingent accompanied him. The Solal Gohain, Duwalia Phukan, and the Duwalia Rajkhowas were stationed at Gobha for the supply of provisions.File:Rudra Singha Jayata in court.jpg|left|thumb|Dimasa king Tamardhwaj and the Jaintia King Ram Singh paying their homage to Rudra Singha.
The Borbarua reached Sampai easily and here a Dimasa deputation assured that nothing was to be feared from the neighboring Naga tribes. He proceeded to Bikrampur and during his march, he sent messengers in advance to reassure the people who came and paid their respects and were glad that the forces needed no supplies of provisions from them. The Borbarua desisted his soldiers from ravaging Dimasa villages, assured the latter, and offered presents to help them against the Jaintias.
After the Ahom force reached Mulagul, Ram Singh was called upon to surrender Tamradhwaj and his family and officers. Envoys were sent to Nawab of Sylhet informing the purpose of the mission and reiterating friendship.
Ram Singh prepared for a fight, but the nobles who tried to dissuade him from his present adventure would not allow him to escape scot-free. He therefore proceeded towards the Borbarua camp for making his submission, escorted by twenty elephants. Near the camp, he was made to dismount and ride on horseback, unattended. After the interview, he was not allowed to return but was made a captive by the Borbarua. The Borphukan reached Gobha on 20 January 1708, and conciliated the Chiefs of Gobha by presents. His forces on the march were harassed by the Garos at several places. The Garos attacked his men, while they were clearing routes. However, they were dispersed with guns and arrows. His route from Jagi lay through Gobha, Athitbhaga Lachor Hill, Buritikar Hill, the Barpani River banks, and Pavanai to Jaintipur. In certain engagements, the Jaintias fared well but were ultimately worsted by the Ahoms who had the advantage of superior numbers and strength and reinforcements at crucial moments. In another fierce battle, the Ahoms killed a number of Jayantia commanders and captured 12 of them along with 20 soldiers and 20 elephants.
After this battle, the Jaintia king was compelled to surrender the Dimasa king along with all his associates to Borbarua on 11 February 1708. After that both the Borbarua and Borphukan resumed their march towards the Jaintia king, then the Jaintia king along with his son submitted to Borbarua.