Habung

The earliest reference to Habung comes in the 10th century copper plate grant of Ratnapala of the Pala dynasty, when it was a principality of the Kamarupa Kingdom settled by Brahmins.[7][8] After the downfall of the Kamarupa Kingdom it became a part of the Chutiya kingdom.

The copper plate of Chutia king Dharmanarayan dated 1428 A.D. mentions Sri Vrihat-patra as Habung-aadhipati(lord of Habung). The plate records land grants of 400 puti given to a Brahmin named Purandar Vipra. This shows that Vrihat-patra was a Chutia chief under whose presence a plot of land was donated to the Brahmin in Habung proving Habung to be a Chutia principality.[9] Besides this, several other copper plates have been found in the region, the last recording a grant made by Dhirnarayan in 1520 A.D. after which the region was finally annexed by the Ahom king Suhungmung in 1523 A.D.[10]

The land grant reads,

“Purandharai Viprai Bhuputinang Saturkhatam
Nripadeshata Samagatya Dadadi-Sashana Dadou-Habung-adhipati”

— Copper plate found in Chapakhowa, Sadiya(Scribe: Swarnakara Krishna Sadhu(1428 A.D.)

A list of other inscriptions found in the region are:

Although Sukaphaa spent around four years at a place in Habung, he had to later shift along with all his followers to the south bank due to floods. He finally settled at Charaideo and set up the first capital of Ahom kingdom.[11] In around 1240 A.D., the Chutia king Ratnadhwajpal annexed the state of another Chutia king Bhadrasen and carved out a capital in Ratnapur,Majuli. This indicates that the Habung region also xam under his rule during that period. King Suhungmung annexed the Habung region from Chutias in the year 1523 A.D. The fortification area known as Tai Bheti (তাঈ ভেটি) marks the settlement of Tai people by the king.[12] There are also a historical Maidam and a corpse washing pond in between the fortification.[13] It is said that the Maidam was of a Ahom priest came with Sukaphaa who died at that region.[14]Manuscripts and Chronicles found in villages near Habung mark this settlement. The most complicated one is known as Ban-Chyengwhich includes all name of all the Ahom families migrated to Habung.[15]

The fortification area is known as Tai Bheti (তাঈ ভেটি) by locals as there are fortification of migrated Tai people today known as Ahom people. There are also a historical Maidam and a corpse washing pond in between the fortification. It is said that the Maidam was of a Ahom priest came with Sukaphaa who died at that region.[16] Many manuscripts have been found in villages near Habung including Ajoha Village which is the nearest village to the fortification area. They were written in Ahom language. The most complicated one is known as Ban-Chyeng. The scripts include all name of all the Ahom families who migrated to Habung during Suhungmung's rule.[17]

• Khun Tai
• Khun Lung
• Khun Lai Tai Owe
• Khun Chipsi
• Khun Tungjou
• Khun Khun Klang
• Khun Kam Ko'
• Khun Khrip Pha
• Khun Lang Nyim
• Khun Keo Phrang
• Khun Pheb Ban
• Khun kab Pho'
• Khun Khnyeo'
• Khun Mang Rai
• Khun Tang Mounn etc.[18]