Sati Joymoti a saga of grand sacrifice
Dr Kathita Hatibaruah
http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=mar2807\edit4During the
golden period of Ahom rule for nearly six hundred years (1228 AD 1826 AD),
two Assamese women, namely Mulagabharu and Joymoti Kunwari shot in to
limelight. Mulagabharu for her deeds of valour and patriotism during the
seventh invasion of Asom by the Mughals when she fought bravely against the
enemies after death of her husband Frasenmong Borgohain, one of the Chiefs of
Army Staff during the reign of Dihingia Roja (1419 saka or 1495 AD). Though
Mulagabharu lost her life in the battle field, extra ordinary courage and
chivalry shown by her served as a morale booster which led the Ahom soldiers to
victory.
The name of Joymoti Kunwari will be written in letters of gold in the history
of Assam, nay in the history of the world, for her unique example of ideal
womanhood, patriotism and courage. She tolerated inhuman torture inflicted on
her body by the Chaudangs (police officials) rather than disclose the
whereabouts of her husband Langi Godapani who took shelter in Naga hills (now
Nagaland) under the care of a Naga damsel Dalimi on apprehension of
persecution by Sulikpha, generally known as Lora Roja (1679-1681 AD) when the
latter entered into conspiracy to maim or kill Godapani in an attempt to
eliminate all eligible descendants of former kings so that they would not be
able to usurp the throne. Because according to customs then prevailing, any
prince with physical injury or disability was debarred from becoming a king.
When Lora Rojas soldiers failed to trace out Godapani, his wife Joymoti
Kunwari was summoned to the kings palace and was pressurised to divulge the
hiding place of Godapani. When any amount of persuasion could not get any
response from Joymoti, she was taken to Jerenga Pathar in Sivasagar district
and was tied to a Kotkura plant (a thorny plant bearing fruits) and inhuman
physical torture was inflicted on her.
When langi Godapani came to know about her torture, he came to Jerenga Pathar
in disguise and implored her to speak the truth. But she was firm in her
decision and would not budge an inch. She implored Godapani with signs and
signals to go away from that place or else he would be caught and put to
prison, in which case, her plan of building a future stable empire with
Godapani as king would be frustrated. After 14 days continuous torture,
Joymoti breathed her last.
The tremendous sacrifice of Joymoti Kunwari for the sake of stabilisation of
the socio-economic and political scenario of the 16th century Assam will be
ever remembered, as this brought about a renaissance in the history of Assam.
This is not a hearsay rolled down from mouth to mouth, but it is a historical
truth.
Joymoti Kunwari though belonged to a royal family, her open declaration of
non-violent revolt against the tyrannical ruler is nothing short of a symbol of
cooperation, self-sacrifice, non-violence, kindness, friendship etc in addition
to her devoted service to her husband and family. The women force that emerged
active at the Jerenga Pathar of the North East India of the 16th century has
converted it (Jerenga Pathar) into a holy place of pilgrimage.
Joymoti Kunwari, though basically a householder, her spontaneous sacrifice will
keep the light burning among the women society, which will encourage the
women-folk to follow her exemplary ideal. The world dynamic force representing
the heroic and chivalrous activities of the women of ancient India has
manifested itself in different forms in Indian philosophy. The word Mahila
(woman) is symbolic of the most powerful dynamic force.
If Joymoti Kunwari was not born gifted with the rare qualities like truth,
justice, kindness, friendship, compassion, etc, perhaps the trend of Assam
history would have been in the reverse gear. History tells us that Joymoti
Kunwari talked less, but she was a compassionate woman. Joymoti exhibited her
great power of patience and endurance in silently suffering the diabolical
torture at Jerenga Pathar and yet kept the whereabouts of Langi Godapani a
secret till the last drop of blood in her vein. Because of her quality of
farsightedness and sharp intellect, she was able to keep Godapani at a safe
distance from the tyranny of Lora Roja.
Legend has it that Laluksola Borphukan in secret collusion with Azamtora of
Bengal tried to hand over Guwahati to Azamtora in exchange for his help and he
himself conspired to become the ruler of Assam.
Meanwhile a team of ministers came to Guwahati from the capital township of
Gargaon to save Guwahati. Realising that Laluksolas plans misfired, he fled
from Guwahati making a fourteen year old prince Sulikpha the king of Assam and
he became the father-in-law by offering the hands of his daughter to Sulikpha.
Taking advantage of the absence of the ministers from the capital Gargaon,
Debera Barua and Laluksola Borphukan conspired to kill or maim all eligible
princes including Godapani so that his son-in-law Sulikpha can remain as
undisputed ruler of Assam.
Joymoti Kunwaris dream was fulfilled when Godapani ascended the throne in 1681
AD and assumed the name king Godadhar Singha, though Joymoti Kunwari did not
live to see her dream come true. Godadhar Singha established a powerful
administration in Assam.
In 1696 AD Joymotis eldest son Rudra Singha became the king and he became
popular amongst his subjects in as much as he carried out some welfare
programmes like planting of trees on both sides of the road to give shade to
the tired travellers, digging ponds and tanks to provide drinking water as also
water for irrigation facilities, etc.
For building a violence free and peaceful society, all segments of the
population irrespective of caste, creed, religion and nationality should
contribute their useful service in whatever sphere they work. Then only the
ideals of Joymoti Kunwari will be kept alive and the purpose of celebrating her
Commemoration Day will be adequately served to pay homage to this legendary
figure.
(Published on the occasion of Commemoration Day of Sati Joymoti).
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