Sib Singh
Explanation
The Ahom Kingdom (1228–1826 CE) in Assam witnessed a gradual process of "Sanskritization" or Hinduisation over several centuries. While the early rulers followed traditional Tai-Ahom beliefs, later monarchs increasingly adopted Hindu customs, rituals, and names, eventually leading to Hinduism becoming the state religion.
Detailed Analysis:
- Sib Singh (1714–1744 CE): Correct. It was during the reign of Sib Singh that Hinduism became the predominant religion of the Ahom state. He was heavily influenced by Brahmanical priests, specifically the Parbatiya Gosain (Krishnaram Bhattacharyya), a Sakta priest from Bengal. Under Sib Singh and his chief queen, Phuleswari Devi, Saktism (worship of Goddess Durga/Kali) was promoted aggressively, often leading to conflicts with the Vaishnavite subjects (Moamarias).
- Rudra Singh (1696–1714 CE): Incorrect. Rudra Singh is considered the greatest Ahom ruler and showed a strong inclination towards Hinduism. He invited Hindu priests and architects to his court. However, he did not formally accept initiation (diksha) from a guru during his active reign, and the full-scale dominance of Hindu rituals in state administration crystallized under his son, Sib Singh.
- Sukapha (1228–1268 CE): Incorrect. Sukapha was the founder of the Ahom Kingdom. He and his immediate successors followed traditional Tai-Ahom religious practices, such as the worship of ancestors and the deity Somdeo (Phura-Lung religion).
- Gadadhar Singh (1681–1696 CE): Incorrect. Gadadhar Singh is known for stabilizing the kingdom after the wars with the Mughals (post-Battle of Saraighat). While he patronized Hinduism to an extent, his reign was marked by political consolidation and efforts to curb the rising power of the Vaishnavite monasteries (Satras), rather than the establishment of Hinduism as the predominant state religion.
Key Takeaway:
Sib Singh’s reign marks the zenith of Hindu influence in the Ahom court, where Saktism became the de facto state religion, largely driven by the influence of the Parbatiya Gosain and Queen Phuleswari.