Sudangpha (1397-1407): The Initiator of Hinduism in the Ahom Court
Sudangpha, also known as Bamuni Konwar, was raised in the household of a Brahmin, hence his deep connection to Hindu traditions. His reign as the Ahom king saw significant religious and ceremonial developments.
He pioneered the Singari Gharat Utha Utsab, the coronation ceremony of Ahom kings, marking the first official entrance of Hinduism into the Ahom court. Despite financial constraints during the reigns of Kamaleswar Singha and Chandrakanta Singha, this tradition persisted.
Upon ascending the throne, Sudangpha brought his Brahmana foster father to the palace, where he was allowed to reside as part of the royal entourage. This gesture underscored Sudangpha’s commitment to his Brahmin upbringing.
Under his patronage, the worship of Lakshmi-Narayan Salagram, a form of God Vishnu, commenced in the royal household, alongside the traditional Ahom deity Chom-Cheng (Chomdeo).
Sudangpha relocated the capital to Charagua near Dihing, consolidating his influence and contributing to the expansion of Ahom rule in the region.
Sudangpha’s reign not only witnessed the consolidation of Hindu practices in the Ahom court but also marked a significant shift in the cultural and religious landscape of the kingdom.