Bora (surname)
Bora, also spelled Borah or Barah, is an Assamese surname used commonly throughout Assam.
Historical usage[]
Originally, the Bora surname was used as a high military position/title in the Chutia Kingdom held by individuals from the Buruk clan. The officials were collectively termed as Bora-Buruk.[1] The officials Borua and Borpatra also formed a part of this system.[2] There were originally two classes of Bora officials- one involved in administration(Sashanar Bora) and the other involved in temple security(Thanar Bora). Some examples of that era include Dhela Bora and Harisingh Bora who were Chutia officials.[3]
Later, after the introduction of the Paik system in the Ahom Kingdom of medieval Assam, the title was re-introduced. A Bora was the commanding officer of 20 such paiks. The appointment of a Bora was the responsibility of his Phukan or Rajkhowa (governor of a territory). The paiks had the right to reject a Bora and request another officer of their choice.
Appointments were made irrespective of the paik's religion or ethnicity.[4] There is mention of Chutia Boras and Matak Boras in Buranjis at several instances. For example, during the revolt of 1775, Phukans and Baruas were appointed from Barechiringias and Chutia Boras.[5] The Lecham Chetia family descended from Tekela Bora, who was a prisoner of Chutia origin.[6] Chandrakanta Singha appointed his friend Satram, who was the son of a Kukurachuwa Bora of Chutia origin, as Charingia Phukan.[7] During the first Burmese invasion, the king sent Lapi Dadhara Bora of Chutia Gharphalia family, along with other officers to fight with the Burmese.[8] Other examples of Chutia Bora include Hao Bora, Nokh Bora and Langi Deka Bora (of Langi Deka origin[9]) who fought against the Burmese.[10] Apart from these, during the Moamoria rebellion, the Matak rebels also appointed Boras among themselves.[11]
Contemporary usage[]
 | This section does not cite any sources. (January 2018) |
Over the years, the usage of this title has ceased to be a professional or military title. The surname is now common to Hindus in Assam. Among the Hindus, the surname is mostly written by Indigenous Assamese people which include Chutia, Kalita, Koch and Kachari groups.
Notable people[]
Notable people with the surname include:
- Atul Bora, president of the political party Asom Gana Parishad
- Dhrubajyoti Bora (born 1955), Indian novelist from Assam
- Jatin Bora (born 1970), Indian film actor from Assam
- Kopil Bora, Indian film actor from Assam
- Mahim Bora (1924–2019), Indian writer and educationist from Assam
- Nomal Chandra Borah, Indian neurologist from Assam
- Panchi Bora, Indian television actress and model from Assam
- Prodyut Bora (born 1974), Indian politician and social activist from Assam
- Ripun Bora, Indian politician from Assam
- Umananda Bora, Indian Indian cricket player from Assam
See also[]
- Yoon Bo-ra, a South Korean idol singer
- Bora (disambiguation)
References[]
- ^ Dr. Swarnalata Baruah(2004),Chutia Jatir Buranji, p. 145.
- ^ Dr. Swarnalata Baruah(2004),Chutia Jatir Buranji, p. 145.
- ^ Dr. Swarnalata Baruah(2004), Chutiya Jaatir Buranji, Page 129, "The Chutia army was led by Borhuloi Borua and Dhela Bora."
- ^ Paik System of Ahom kingdom[circular reference]
- ^ Barua, Gopalchandra, Ahom Buranji, p. 332.
- ^ Borbarua, Hiteswar, Ahomar Din, p. 577.
- ^ Barua, Swarnalata, Chutia Jatir Buranji, pp. 224-225
- ^ Barua, Gopalchandra, Ahom Buranji, p. 380.
- ^ Borbarua, Hiteswar, Ahomar Din, p. 589. "The Langi Deka family was of Chutia origin".
- ^ Barua, Swarnalata, Chutia Jatir Buranji, p. 226
- ^ Barua, Gopalchandra, Ahom Buranji, p. 303
If an intending to refer to a specific person led you to this page, you may wish to change that link by adding the person's given name(s) to the link.
External links[]
- Surnames
- Assamese-language surnames