Tiwa Kings and Their Kingdoms in Transition Bordoloi Lakhinanda*, Dr. Das Khokan Ch.** * Research Scholar, Department of Political Science, Assam University Diphu Campus, Karbi Anglong, Assam, India ** Head, Department of Political Science, Assam University Diphu Campus, Karbi Anglong, Assam, India Online published on 28 July, 2016. Abstract The Tiwas (Lalungs) are one of the major tribes of North East India, having 4, 01, 830 population as per the census of India-2011 living mainly in the state Assam and Meghalaya. They are known for their kingship and the smaller kingdoms, like-Gobha, Nellie, Khola, Sohori and the Pasorajya (five principalities-Topakushi, Baropujia, Mikir Gonya, Phuloguri and Khaigor) and Satorajya (seven principalities-Kumoi, Torani, Baghora, Tetelia, Kacharigonya, Suknagug and Ghagua) in the past. The history of the Tiwa kings and kingdoms prior to those smaller kingdoms are shrouded with many mysteries. The oral history of the Tiwas provides many versions about their past abode. There are no historical evidences to establish many facts of the Tiwas prior to the vassal kingdoms established by the Jayantias and the Ahoms. The history written tradition of the region was build up by the Ahoms who made references of the Tiwa kingdoms which were under the suzerainty of the Ahoms. The chronicles of the Jayantia kings made earlier references regarding the principality of the Tiwas on the border lands of Ahom kingdom which were under the tutelage of the Jayantia kings. On the Tiwas no systematic studies were undertaken by any ethnographer and British administrator during colonial rule. There were lots of changes on the smaller Tiwa vassal kingdoms to Ahoms and Jayantias in transition. This paper is an attempt to know the Tiwa kings and their kingdoms based on oral history, past folk traditions and the accounts of history made on vassal kingdoms of colonial Assam. Top Keywords Tiwa Kings, Kingdoms, Transition, Continuity, Changes. Top |