Phuleshwari
Phuleshwari Konwari(1722-1731) was the first Bar Raja/chief consort of Siva Singha, earlier known as Phulamti was attached shiva temple, who assumed the title of Pramatheswari Devi. She was the first queen to govern to kingdom directly. Having assumed the title of 'Bar Raja' she minted the coins on her name along with her husband.[1]
Bar Raja Phuleshwari | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Died | 1731 |
| Years active | 1722-1731 |
| Predecessor | None |
| Successor | Bar Raja Ambika |
| Spouse(s) | Siva Singha |
Bar raja
Birth
Phuleshwari earlier known as Phulmati was born in Kalugaon Gayan Gaon in Sivasagar district. Phuleshwari original name was Phulmati.
Reign
Captivated by her beauty the king married her and maked her the chief consort and name. Phuleswari , the chief consort of the Ahom king Siva Singha(1714-1744) was the first queen of Assam to govern the Kingdom directly The King was predicted by the astrologers that he was under the evil influence of the stars(Chatra-Bhanga-Yoga), as a result of which he might have lost his throne. Phuleshwari actually took the reins of government to her hands and meddled too much on the matter of region and customs,[2] Phuleshwari was more under the influence of the Brahmanas, particularly the Parvatiya Gosain, she attempted to make Saktism the state religion. To execute her plan, she summoned the Shudra Mahantas to the Durga Puja held in Sakta shrine and compelled them to bow their heads before the gooddness, have their forehead besmeared with the blood of sacrificed animal and made them accept nirmali and prasad.[3] The Mahantas considered it as a grave insult not to be forgiven, he decided to take vengeance at an opportune moment, which later caused a key factor for the Moamoria rebellion.[4]
Civil works
Phuleshwari was a great patron of Sanskrit, had started a Sanskrit school within the campus and art and culture. She made her younger brother Harinath first Borgohain and then Borpatra Gohain
- Phuleshwari had the Gaurisagar tank excavated near the capital city.
- Phuleshwari built three temples on it bank dedicated to Shiva,Vishu and Devi.[5]
Notes
- Comprehensive history of Assam, SL Baruah. p. 294.
- P. Gogoi. p. 510.
- ABHB. p. 71.
- Comprehensive history of Assam, SL Baruah. p. 295.
- Comprehensive history of Assam, SL Baruah. p. 295.
References
- Gogoi, Debo Prasad (2016-12-12). "Bar Raja Phuleswari Kunwari: The Centre or the Periphery in Case of Moamoaria Rebellion- a Study from Gender Perspective, and Some Issues" (PDF). International Journal of Arts, Humanities and Management Studies. 2 (2395–062): 60.
- Baruah, S. L. (1993), Last Days of Ahom Monarchy, New Delhi
- Baruah, S. L. (1993), Comprehensive history of Assam, New Delhi