Rupowal Khel
Rupowal (also Thengal) was a khel (guild) of silver-washers in the Ahom kingdom of late medieval period. They were previously addressed as Rupiya Thakur.[1]
Etymology
The name Rupowal comes from the word 'Rup' which means silver in Assamese.
History
According to Hiteshwar Borbaruah, some Sonowals were engaged in silver-washing business and they were designated as Thengals.[1]
Surnames
The paiks in a khel were organized under a gradation of officials who commanded a set number of them. They were Bora (20 paiks), Saikia (100), Hazarika (1000), Baruah, and Phukan (6000).
It is to be noted that the designations Thengal Baruah and Sonowal Baruah were introduced only in the reign of the Ahom King Purandar Singha (1818–19, 1833–1838). These officers remained in overall charge of these guilds and had to take note of the total output of such washings conducted under the state initiative.[2]
See also
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 (Borboruah 1997, pp. 453-459)
- ↑ Goswami 1986, p. 105.
References
- Borboruah, Hiteswar (1997). Ahomar Din Ed. 2nd. Search this book on
- Goswami, Surendra Kumar (1986). A History of Revenue Administration in Assam, 1228-1826 A.D.: A Detailed History of the Revenue System of the Ahom Rulers. Spectrum Publications. Search this book on
This article "Rupowal Khel" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Rupowal Khel. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
