Chilarai


Shukladhwaja, or more popularly Bir Chilaray, was the younger brother of Nara Narayan, the king of the Kamata kingdom in the 16th century. He was Nara Narayan's commander-in-chief and got his name Chilarai because, as a general, he executed troop movements that were as fast as a chila.

Biography

Chilaray was the third son of Maharaja Biswa Singha.
It was only due to his Royal Patronage that Sankardeva was able to establish the Ek Saran Naam Dharma in Assam and bring about his cultural renaissance. Several kings, namely the then Raja of Manipur and the Khasi chief, submitted to the Koch army. Chilaray and his army also vanquished and killed the Jaintia Raja, and Rajas of Tippera and Sylhet. Chilaray is said to have never committed brutalities on unarmed common people, and even those kings who surrendered were treated with respect. They were harsh to kings and soldiers who refused to surrender, but the brothers never annexed conquered territories nor oppressed the people. They only collected tributes from the vanquished kings. They even treated enemy prisoners kindly, and gave them land-grants to settle.
Chilaray also adopted guerrilla warfare successfully, even before Shivaji, the Maharaja of Maratha Empire did.
The duo turned towards Bengal, but unforeseen circumstances led to Chilaray's capture by the Afghan Sultan Sulaiman Khan Karrani, while Naranarayan retreated to his capital. Much of the Koch kingdom was then captured by the Afghans.
Chilaray died in 1577 of small pox on the bank of Ganges.

Bir Chilaray Divas

The birth anniversary of Mahabir Chilaray is organised by Government of Assam annually from 2005. The Government also declares this day as state holiday.

Bir Chilaray award

The Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Government of Assam instituted these awards in 2005. Theycomprise a shawl, a citation, and a cash award of Rs. 100,000