Chilarai

Shukladhwaja
Statue of Chilarai at Dhubri, Assam
Father	Vishwasingha

Shukladhwaj (Bengali: শুক্লধ্বজ), or more popularly Chilarai (Bengali: চিলারায়), was the younger brother of Nara Narayana, the king of the Kamata kingdom in the 16th century. He was Nara Narayana's commander-in-chief, and he got his name Chilarai because his movement as a general was as fast as a chila (kite). Chilarai is known to have descended from the powerful founder of the Koch dynasty of Kamatapur, Viswa Simha. His mother, Padmavati, was from the country called Gaur.

Chilarai was instrumental in giving Srimanta Sankardeva protection and shelter, as well as marrying his niece. His son and grandson were responsible for breaking away of Koch Hajo from the parent kingdom.

Shukladhwaj also named Chilarai which means 'Kite Prince' was perhaps the greatest general that Indian history ignored. A master military strategist, he was the commander of elder brother and Koch king Naranarayan's army. Chilarai's valour ensured Koch supremacy over the Bhutia, Kachari kingdom (of Hadimba, now dimapur) and the Ahoms( though several battles were fought between the Koches and Ahoms with countable victories for both sides). In June 1563 the Koches under the command of Chilarai managed to occupy the capital of Ahom, Gargaon. Several Kings namely the then Raja of Manipur and the Khasi chief (Viryyavanta) submitted to the Koch army.The Jaintia Raja and Rajas of Tippera(Tripura) and Sylhet were also vanquished and put to death by Chilarai and his army.

The duo (Chilarai and Naranarayan) turned towards Bengal but due to unforeseen circumstances Chilarai was captured by the Afghan Sultan Sulaiman Karrani while Naranarayan retreated to his capital. Much of the Koch kingdom was captured by the Afghans thereafter. However Chilarai and Naranarayan later rebuilt the KAMAKHAYA temple that the Sultan's army had destroyed. They also patronized the great Vaishnavite movement of Sankardeva.

Chilarai died in 1577 of small pox.

References

• Sarkar, J N (1992), "Chapter IV: Early Rulers of Koch Bihar", in Barpujari, H. K., The Comprehensive History of Assam, 2, Guwahati: Assam Publication Board