Princess Kuranganayani a symbol of harmony between Assam and Manipur
- Part 2 -

Dr Atul Borgohain *

Raghav Barbaruah and his supporters asserted that uttered in one tone that under no circumstances we would make you the king. Then Saptabhuj Gohain acclaimed "let me see what can I do"? This time the confusion and dissention cropped up among Raghav and other supporters. Then Buragohain cursed Raghav, saying, "You won't be able to enjoy Bihu this year.

In 1691, Ramakanta brought out a nine cornered silver coin with the royal seal. The rule of Raghav Borbarua and Ramakanta was not liked by the Goshains and the common people. This was known to Kurangnayani, the Manipuri princess living in Raghav's royal house. The special officials who had fled away from the kingdom also knew about it.

Lakshmi Singha's trusted servant 'Sonai' sent a message to Swargadeo through Ligiri, with the help of Bar Kowari and Parbatiya Kowari, of the effort to free the king. Kuranganayani took the lead. One day, some Deodhais and others who were tortured by Raghav entered the Jerenga field and decided to capture Raghav. Bailung said, "Those who ate the king's salt should either join with the rebels or stay away. Be it as it may, Ghanshyam Gohain, Bhulukha Thenga Deka Phukan, and Moran Bari Hazarika should also be called to join the expedition.

Kekeru kalita was given' the responsibility to advice and convince Kuranganayani. He was a wise man from Borgohain Bilat. Raghav had given the beautiful Manipuri princess Kuranganayani a place in the king's royal house, but he was not aware about her intention. They planned to capture Raghav during the Bohag Bihu.

As planned, Ghanshyam Bora Gohain and Bailung Bor Gohain pretended as the main Bihua taking Chekoni and Tangun with them. They wore traditional Bihu attire, with a takun in their hands.

Meanwhile, Bohag Bihu arrived, and most of the rebel soldiers left the capital to celebrate the bihu. Only Ramakanta, Raghav Moran, and a few guards remained in the capital. On the very day of Bohag bihu, Kuranganayani told Raghav that it is a tradition to stay in Bajghar at day and night after prostrating before the king. All the paiks were came to offer the "bihuwan" with reverence to the Barboruah.

After returning from the king's palace, Raghav Moran was told by Kuranganayani convincingly "you are not only my husband but also the king of the country and after. Bokotial you are the guardian of this kingdom".

She further said, "I have sent messengers in all directions to gather information, and I have come to know that "Bokotial" is the enemy of the country. You have more sympathy on your devotees, but your own devotees are also not having mutual understanding. You should settle the matter with your devotees and make the country prosperous. You will enjoy the benefits of the kingdom generation after generation. Today, on the occasion of Bihu, everyone will serve you. You will stay in the royal palace".

In the meantime, Kuranganayani secretly sent a message to Swargadeo, who was imprisoned in Jaydoul, through Ligiri and Sonai.

After that both Raghav Moran and Kuranganayani went to the royal palace and Raghav was respectfully requested to sit on Tamulipira (a decorated wooden tool for only royal personalities) and offered him pitha (a kind of cake), paraman (a rice cooked in meal and sugar), dai-chira (curd and flattened rice), sandah-hurum (dry grinded rice-swollen rice prepared over heated sands on a fried pan), gur-gakhir (molassesmilk), and "maihang" and other kinds of food to eat.

The people served him, considering it a Bihu day, and offered him clothes, goods, and other gifts. Seeing so much respect and gifts, Raghav Moran was very pleased.

At that time, Kekeru kalita came to see the queen and on seeing this, Raghav asked, "Who is the person to whom you have given to the bihu jalpan (traditional-tiffin)?" The queen replied, "this is my adopted son, I had bought my son when he was small. Bhaga Raja had tried to cut him, but he was hidden and now it has come to the king's notice." The queen smiled and said, Keep the boy inside the house.

When the time comes, I will use him for my work, Raghav Moran said. Al-right-"The boy is loyal but very smart and expert in all work", Kuranganayani said.

Already all the rajagharia (royal personalities) gathered at Mesagarh Juktoli field and at night sang together aligning with Tukonor giriponi geet i.e. "raij o jorou rua" and reach at Rangpur's "borduar" entrance. By then, Barbaruah after taking the meals in the yard of the Royal palace and went to bed.

This time, the Huchori (bihu performers) group went out of the living room. Then they went from the outer courtyard to the inner courtyard and started singing the Huchori. There was a son of Daulbandhabar Gohain in the Huchori group they are the sons of Bailung, Koigayan Burago-hain, Faidia Hazarika, Hazarika of Maran Patar clan, two brothers and two grandfathers of Bhadra Sen of Baktial clan, Baghmua - Buragohain Paria Deobilia of Lahan clan, Ramnath Dafla Duwaria, Gharar Mohan, Kahan Hazarika etc.

Kekeru Kalita was already inside the Raj Hauli. By hearing the hue and cry of huchori Raghav asked Kuranganayani about it and Kurnganayani replied with a smile- headed by Govinda the Gaonburah of Hogun Murir has come to bless you by performing Huchori. Now get up. Raghav asked-'What is the best thing to do now?'

The Queen Kuranga-nayani, who had already taken care of it, had four hundred rupees in one plate and two gamochas with clothes in the other and took Raghav by the hand and said, 'Give it to the devotees and the people will love it and the devotees will bless you.

There are four horais (a plate made of brass with long tool) in the hands of the two Maran ligiras and they went out. They also put some few banana leaves, a few feet away from the door and kept the money on the leaves. Meanwhile, Raghav also came out with a knife in his hand followed by Kuranganayani and Kekeru Kalita.

Kuranganayani took the knife from Raghav's hand and said with a smile- "if you go to serve the devotee with a knife in your hand, the devotees will misunderstand it and the village headman will condemn it". By hearing the sweet words of love from Kuranganayani, Raghav replied with a smile- "you are absolutely right and Raghav in the tamuli chara (outer courtyard of the royal palace) began to pray the devotees".

Kuranganayani said- "go to courtyard, the devotees are there". This time Raghav went forward and rested on his right knee in the courtyard, raised his left foot and looked at the devotees and began to pray. Then the 'Kekeru Kalita' who was next to Raghav gestured with his eyes to the queen, Kuranganayani. Taking the opportunity, the queen used all her strength to stab Raghav in the legs with the knife. Raghav fell to the ground, unable to catch anything in the sudden attack.

At that time, one hundred of Raghav's wives in Raj Hauli came out with expressing extreme anger jumped on Raghav. They have killed Raghav with knives and sticks.

Immediately, Kahan and Apatate, struck the Nahar Ghura of the Ranganam Daul with a stick. They also killed Ranchandi Radha. Ramakant ran away. He too had already been captured and killed. When the news of Raghav's death reached the royal family, they surrounded the entire capital. Many were either cut down or captured by the members of the royal family.

Kuranganayani ordered Ghanashyam Buragohain to release King Lakshmi Singha. On the very day Lakshmi Singha was rethroned at the kingdom. Lakshmi Singh appointed new officers to strengthen the administration of the kingdom. Raghav, to fulfill his revenge, murdered Kirtichandra and taken away hundred women to fulfill his desires. Helper Mohan Malak and his two sons were killed by giving poison. Later, he himself was betrayed for his politics.

In this way Raghav was betrayed by Kuranganayani and killed in his own palace and immediately the Kishok Bidruh or First Moyamoriah Bidruh ended. It was Tuesday the day of Bohag Bihu. The courage, cleverness, intelligence and political wisdom of Kuranganayani were recalled by every Assamese people.

Concluded....