A study on the role of Tiwas (Lalungs) and their settlements in the medieval period of Assam history.

The Tiwas who in all early writings are mentioned as Lalungs comprise one of the numerous tribes of Assam. Ethnically belonging to the Mongoloid stock they migrated and settled in Jayantia territory a long time ago. Owing to differences among them over the issue of acceptance of matrilineal system a group of them left Jayantia territory and sought refuge in Ahom territory. The Ahom king Jayadhvaj Singha (1648–1663) took pity on them and ordered the Rahial Baruah to settle them in Raha area in five principalities each under a Tiwa (Lalung) chief. Later Tiwa (Lalung) migrants were settled by Jagialia Gohain in seven more principalities each again under their chiefs called Rajas. In return for the previleges they obtained from the Ahom king the Rajas owed allegiance, paid tribute and assisted the Ahom monarchs in their war campaigns. The different Buranjis form the primary data of this paper and secondary sources have also been supplemented in an objective manner. The study is from a historical perspective and would throw light on the role of Tiwa (Lalung) chieftains and their settlement areas in the medieval period of Assam History.