Guwahati, May 24: The 224th death anniversary of Swargadeo Sarbananda Singha, founder of the Matak Kingdom, was observed with a day-long programme at Bamunimaidam in Guwahati on Sunday under the initiative of the Matak Community Research and Development Organisation along with members of the Matak community residing in the city.
The programme commenced with a ceremonial lamp-lighting event, following which several distinguished personalities from different fields were felicitated with traditional Matak gamosas, certificates of honour and portraits of the king for their contributions to society.
Among those felicitated were Bhogeswar Baruah, Prashantajyoti Baruah, Bhola Gohain, Ranjita Moran and Pulak Gohain. Several other personalities were also honoured during the programme.
Media personalities including Dulal Mishra, Nabajyoti Kalita, Parama Sonowal, Sunil Boro and Kamal Sarkar were also felicitated.
Speaking at the event, Pulak Gohain praised the efforts of the Matak Community Research and Development Organisation and the Matak community in Guwahati. He stated that Assam was a state enriched by various communities and tribes and remarked that the Matak Kingdom was among the last to align with British rule. He further said the government would take all necessary measures to preserve historical resources associated with the Matak community and its cultural heritage.
The organisation’s convenor and Managing Director of the Dainandin Barta Group, Shankar Gohain, said that present-day Tinsukia had once served as the capital of the Matak Kingdom at Bengmora. He noted that Swargadeo Sarbananda Singha established the kingdom by overcoming various challenges and uniting different communities.
Shankar Gohain further stated that during his reign, Sarbananda Singha laid the foundations of a democratic system within the monarchy by creating a council to address public issues and govern according to collective opinions.
Representatives of several Matak organisations, including Jeevan Konwar, participated in the programme.
Speakers at the event highlighted the contributions of Swargadeo Sarbananda Singha, who was recognised as a key leader of the historic Moamoria Rebellion in the late eighteenth century. Discussions also focused on the social and economic development concerns of the Matak community.
The programme was conducted by Nabajyoti Saikia and was attended by executive members of the Matak Autonomous Council, including Amulya Senapati and Devakanta Baruah, along with several distinguished guests.
