Sarbananda Singha Explained

Sarbananda Singh or Mejera^[1] was a Moamoria leader. He was Matak Chutia by ethnicity.^{[2] [3]} He was the first ruler of the autonomous region called Matak rajya (1805–1839), selected by his followers,^[4] with its capital in Bengmara, in what is now Tinsukia district in the Indian state of Assam.^{[5] [6]} He was the son of Merutnandan. He was succeeded by his eldest son Matibor Borsenapoti as the second ruler of the Matak Kingdom.

He was assisted by a group of Singhpos against the Ahom government. Sarbananda Singha later has to retreat to a Singpho village when Purnananda Burhagohain after recovering Rangpur sent a expedition against him, for which he Sarbananda Singha sent envoys to Burmese court for assistance.

Notes and References

1. "Mejera now assumed the name Sarbananda Singha and took the title 'Swargadeo"
2. "The Buruk-Chutiyas, according to P. Saikia are the direct descendants of the Chutia royal family. Sarbananda Singha, the rulers of the Mataks is said to be a Buruk-Chutiya by caste."
3. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/123637#page/119/mode/1up Journal of Asiatic Society of Bengal(1838), p.677., "The Bor Senapati is a Boorook Sooteah; his ancestors were natives of the district of Sadiya; but he was born on the Upper Dibroo."
4. "Mejera returned to his own area. His followers then selected him as their ruler
5. Book: The Mataks, the Morans, and the Moamaria rebellion. Omsons. 1996. 978-8171171491. Sristidhar Dutta. 90.
6. Coins of Swargadeo Sarbananda Singh. Journal of Indian History. 61-63. 124. 1983.