Suikapha laid foundation of unified, united Assam: Gogoi

"Chaolung Suikapha was a great leader and a brave warrior ruler under whose guidance a solid process of unification of various ethnic groups and assimilation had been set in motion," said Gogoi.

"Chaolung Suikapha was instrumental in uniting the diverse tribes and communities and shaping an undivided Assam in the 13th century. He was a great integrator and a great visionary," he said.

He brought about the unification of the different warring groups and won over their hearts through a policy of conciliation and rapprochement, he said.

The chief minister said Suikapha endeared himself to various tribal and non-tribal communities by respecting their sentiments, language, art and culture.

"Suikapha did not discriminate against anyone. He gave equal political, social and economic justice to each and every community that eventually paved the way for the creation of a greater Assamese society," he said.

"It was Suikapha who laid the foundation of a unified and united Assam which is intact even today," he said last evening on the occasion of Asom Divas observed every year to commemorate the advent of Chaolung Suikapha, the founder of Ahom rule in Assam.

According to history, Suikapha had entered present-day Assam through the Patkai range on the Indo-Myanmar border from Southeast Asia.