The second part of the 18th century (1750-1800 AD) was a tumultuous period for the Ahom monarchy. It was a time of weak kings and rebellion. During this phase, a sect known as Moamoria emerged within the kingdom. They were the followers of Moamoria Satra. Commoners from all walks of life joined this sect and rebelled against the Ahom monarchy. In this blog, we will discuss a tiny anecdote about this rebellion wherein a Bihu Husori Dal (a congregation of villagers who sing Bihu songs) was used covertly to kill top rebels.
During the Moamoria Rebellion, Ragha Moran, the Moamariya leader, led a daring revolt against the Ahom dynasty, capturing King Lakshmi Singha and imprisoning him at Joydol near Joysagar. Ragha Moran also took the queen, Kuranganayani, as his wife, consolidating his power and control over the kingdom.
However, Kuranganayani harbored a secret plan to restore her rightful husband, Lakshmi Singha, to the throne. Despite being married to Ragha Moran, her loyalty to the deposed king never wavered. She quietly conspired with a group of Ahom nobles who had organized a secret resistance. These nobles formed a Bihu Husori Dal, traditionally a group of performers who sang and danced during Rongali Bihu festivities. But this time, their mission was far more dangerous—they would use the guise of festivity to launch a deadly coup.
The Husori party concealed their weapons beneath their garments and approached the palace, pretending to perform the customary Husori, a festive tradition of singing and offering blessings. As per tradition, Ragha Moran, unaware of the conspiracy, came out of the palace to kneel before the performers and receive their blessings. At this critical moment, Kuranganayani, who had secretly aligned herself with the Husori party, acted swiftly. With a Hengdang, a traditional Ahom sword, she struck a fatal blow to Ragha Moran’s neck, killing him instantly.
In the chaos that followed, the remaining Moamoria officers, shocked by the turn of events, fled the capital. With Ragha Moran dead and the rebels scattered, Lakshmi Singha was freed from his imprisonment. The rebellion was quelled, and Lakshmi Singha was reinstated as the Ahom king, thanks to the cunning and bravery of his queen, Kuranganayani, whose loyalty to her husband had ultimately saved the kingdom.
