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Borphukan (Ahom language:Phu-Kan-Lung) was one of the fivepatra mantris (councillors) in theAhom kingdom, a position that was created by theAhom kingPrataap Singha. The position included both executive and judicial powers, with jurisdiction of the Ahom kingdom west ofKaliabor River. The headquarters of Borphukan was based in Kaliabor and after theBattle of Itakhuli in 1681 inItakhuli inGuwahati. This position was particularly important and powerful because of its distance from the Ahom capital, giving it a semblance of independence. The region to the east of Kaliabor was governed by theBorbarua. Lachit Deka later became Borphukan or the ruler ofLower Assam according to the fifth chronicles of the Satsori AsomBuranji.
Originally the jurisdiction of this office was the region between theBrahmaputra River and its branchKolong with the headquarters at Kajali and Kaliabor. After the Ahom consolidated its power following theBattle of Itakhuli in 1681 region from theManas River in the west to Kaliabor in the east became its domain with the headquarters at Guwahati. The Phukans subordinate to the Borphukan helped him in the military administration of this vast territory: theDihingiya and theChetiya Phukans south of the Brahmaputra andPani,Deka, and (as required)Chetiya Phukans in the north bank.[1] TheBujarbarua assisted the Borphukan in the civil administration ofKamrup region, and thekayasthas in the Borphukan's domain were placed under theBorkayastha Barua.[2]
The Borphukan was also responsible for maintaining diplomatic relationships with the ruling houses inBengal andBhutan,[3] and according to protocol any ambassador from these regions had to first report to him. He also had jurisdiction over the dependent kings ofDarrang,Beltola,Rani, Luki, and Dimarua besides theDuaria rajas of the south—Panbari, Barduar, Chhaygaon, Pantan,Boko, Bangaon, Vagai, Bholagaon and Mairapur.[4]
The Borphukan's residence was situated in the presentFancy Bazaar area ofGuwahati. The Borphukan's council was similar to the council-hall (Bor-Chora) at the capital and consisted of six Phukans collectively called theGuwahatiya orDopdariya Phukan.[5] The Borphukan Bor-Chora or the Durbar Hall was situated near the present Sonaram High School and site occupied by theBharalumukh Thana. Two finely chiseled and inscribed rectangular blocks of stone have been found in the premises of the Kamrupa Anusandhan Samiti, currently the Assam State Museum. The texts engraved with borders of which are ornamented by creepers. These inscribed stones were posted at the southern and northern entrances to the council hall. We learn from the inscriptions that the two gates were known respectively as Bijay-Duar and Jay-Duar were constructed in 1660 Saka (1738) by Tarun Duara Borphukan under the orders of KingSiva Singha.[citation needed] The Borphukan was assisted in administration by the Majindar Baruah (equivalent to a private secretary) whose residence was at the current Deputy Commissioner's residence.
The Borphukan's council (Dopdar) had a number ofPhukans, in a manner equivalent to the Borbarua's council (Bor-chora), and thePhukans at the Borphukan's council were calledDopdariya Phukans. Each Phukan was responsible for receiving the royal revenue (in cash, kind, and services) from the subjects (paiks) and was also responsible for maintaining the guilds of specific professions (khels).[6] TheDopdar, the Borphukan's council house, was situated about 300 yards west of the Bharalu stream.