// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Saikia say to its friend? Sai goodbye.

Saikia was a Paik officer of the Ahom militia who led a hundred paiks.^[1] The Koch kingdom had a similar system in place. As it was a purely administrative position, the title holder could belong to diverse ethnic groups or religions. Today, this title is used as a surname by Assamese people of various ethnic origins.^[2] The post of Saikia in the Paik system was higher in rank to the Bora (in charge of 20 paiks) but lower in rank to the Hazarika (in charge of a thousand paiks).

Etymology

The word Saikia is a derivative of the Assamese word - Xô, meaning 'one hundred - 100'.^[3]

Historical usage

A Saikia was the commanding officer of 100 paiks. The appointment of a Saikia was the responsibility of his Phukan or Rajkhowa (governor of a territory). The paiks had the right to reject a Saikia and request another officer of their choice.^[4] Appointments were made irrespective of the paik's religion or ethnicity.

Among other ethnic groups, there is mention of Chutia Saikias in several instances of Buranjis. For instance, during the revolt of 1775, ten Chutia Saikias were involved along with a Nara chief of Khamjang.^[5] After the fall of the Chutia kingdom, Saikias were also appointed among Chutia blacksmiths and other guilds to look after the works.^[6] Apart from these, during the Moamoria rebellion, the rebels also appointed Saikias among themselves.^[7] As per the historical account Ahomar Din, Saikias were at one point appointed from Sonowal Kacharis and Thengal Kacharis as well.^[8]

Current usage

Over the years, the usage of this title has ceased to be a professional or military title. The Ahom paik titles were conferred by the king regardless of the ethnicity, caste or religion of the officer. Hence, the descendents of these officers now use it as a surname. Some communities which use this title are- Chutia, Koch, Sonowal Kacharis, Thengal Kacharis and Kalitas etc. ^[9]

Notable people

Anjana Saikia - sportwomen
Ankush Saikia - novelist, editor, and former journalist
Anupam Saikia - mathematician
Baneswar Saikia - politician of Revolutionary Communist Party of India
Bhabendra Nath Saikia - physicist, novelist, film director.
Binoy Kumar Saikia - scientist
Debabrata Saikia - politician
Devajit Saikia- Indian advocate, former first class cricketer, cricket administrator.
Dilip Saikia - politician
Hemoprova Saikia - politician
Hiteswar Saikia - politician, Chief Minister of Assam from 1983 to 1985 and 1991–1996.
Kuladhar Saikia-
Mrinal Saikia - Indian politician
Nagen Saikia - author
Nayanmoni Saikia- athlete
Sarat Saikia, politician
Yasmin Saikia - author

References

↑ Kakoty, Sanjeeb (2003). Technology, Production And Social Formation In The Evolution Of The Ahom State. Regency Publications. ISBN 9788187498735.
↑ People of India: India's communities. Oxford University Press. 1998. ISBN 978-0-19-563354-2.
↑ Priya Devi, Juri. "DERIVATION OF QUANTITATIVE WORDS IN ASSAMESE LANGUAGE: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY" (PDF).
↑ Banerjee, Anil Chandra (1946). The Eastern Frontier of British India, 1784–1826 (2nd, revised and enlarged ed.). Calcutta: A. Mukherjee & Co. pp. 18–19.
↑ Barua, Gopalchandra, Ahom Buranji, p. 331.
↑ (Sarma 1993:287) Dewanar Atla: "Suhungmung or Swarganarayan, after defeating Dhirnarayana and his minister Kasitora, received a number of Dola, Kali..Hiloi and gunpowder(Kalai-khar). Besides these, he also made a number of blacksmiths (Komar) prisoners, settled them either at Bosa (in present-day Jorhat district) or Ujjoni regions and ordered them to make iron implements and weapons (Dah, Katari, Hiloi, Bortop). A section of them were appointed as Saikias and Hazarikas to look after the works. It was only during the time of Suhungmung that the guild of blacksmiths and its trade started in Assam (Ahom kingdom). There were three thousand blacksmiths during this period."
↑ Barua, Gopalchandra, Ahom Buranji, p. 303
↑ Barbarua, Hiteswar (1997). Ahomar Din (in Assamese) (2nd ed.). Assam Publication Board. p. 562.
↑ Kakoty, Sanjeeb (2003). Technology, Production And Social Formation In The Evolution Of The Ahom State. Regency Publications. ISBN 9788187498735.

Works cited

Sarma, Benudhar (1993), Maniram Dewan, Guwahati: Manuh Prakashan

[1] Kakoty, Sanjeeb (2003). Technology, Production And Social Formation In The Evolution Of The Ahom State. Regency Publications. ISBN 9788187498735.

[2] People of India: India's communities. Oxford University Press. 1998. ISBN 978-0-19-563354-2.

[3] Priya Devi, Juri. "DERIVATION OF QUANTITATIVE WORDS IN ASSAMESE LANGUAGE: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY" (PDF).

[4] Banerjee, Anil Chandra (1946). The Eastern Frontier of British India, 1784–1826 (2nd, revised and enlarged ed.). Calcutta: A. Mukherjee & Co. pp. 18–19.

[5] Barua, Gopalchandra, Ahom Buranji, p. 331.

[6] (Sarma 1993:287) Dewanar Atla: "Suhungmung or Swarganarayan, after defeating Dhirnarayana and his minister Kasitora, received a number of Dola, Kali..Hiloi and gunpowder(Kalai-khar). Besides these, he also made a number of blacksmiths (Komar) prisoners, settled them either at Bosa (in present-day Jorhat district) or Ujjoni regions and ordered them to make iron implements and weapons (Dah, Katari, Hiloi, Bortop). A section of them were appointed as Saikias and Hazarikas to look after the works. It was only during the time of Suhungmung that the guild of blacksmiths and its trade started in Assam (Ahom kingdom). There were three thousand blacksmiths during this period."

[7] Barua, Gopalchandra, Ahom Buranji, p. 303

[8] Barbarua, Hiteswar (1997). Ahomar Din (in Assamese) (2nd ed.). Assam Publication Board. p. 562.

[9] Kakoty, Sanjeeb (2003). Technology, Production And Social Formation In The Evolution Of The Ahom State. Regency Publications. ISBN 9788187498735.

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