Saikia was a Paik system of the Ahom Army who led a hundred paiks.
Etymology
The word Saikia is a derivative of the Assamese word -
Xô, meaning 'one hundred - 100'.
The original Tai-Ahom name of the position was
ru-pāk which later was translated as 'Saikia' in Assamese.
Historical usage
Among other ethnic groups, there is mention of
Chutia Saikias in several instances of
. For instance, during the revolt of 1775, ten Chutia Saikias were involved along with a
Mongkawng chief of
Kachin state (
Kachin state of
Myanmar).
[Barua, Gopalchandra, Ahom Buranji, p. 331.] After the fall of the
Chutia kingdom, Saikias were also appointed among Chutia blacksmiths and other guilds to look after the works.
[ 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."] Apart from these, during the
Moamoria, the rebels also appointed Saikias among themselves.
[Barua, Gopalchandra, Ahom Buranji, p. 303]
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-
Sutiya people, Koch,
Sonowal Kacharis,
Thengal Kacharis and Kalitas etc.
Notable people
Works cited
