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.
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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
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