Habung

The entrance of the temple built in memory of Sukapha who visited Habung in search of agricultural land in the 13th century.

Habung is a historical region in present-day Lakhimpur district of Assam, India, although Tai-ahom claim it to be a part of present-day Dhemaji district.[1] As per epigrahic records, Habung (Ha-vrnga-Vishaya) was a vishaya or province where Brahmins were settled by Ratna Pala of the Pala dynasty of Kamarupa in the 10th century.[2]

There is lot of confusion regarding the geographical location of Habung. According to John Peter Wade: "Contiguous to Gazlung, still in an easterly direction , lays Haboongh, which is thirty six miles in length and fifteen in breadth. This district is remarkable for the superior richness of the soil, and for the industry, size and appetite of the inhabitants."

  1. ^ Saikia (2004), p. 28:"Dhemaji is more political and therefore somewhat more volatile than Patsako. Tai-ahom activism was very visible there, so much so that the first capital city of the Ahom swargadeos, Habung, was identified and claimed to be in Dhemaji."
  2. ^ "Habung was an ancient Brahmin settlement (Havrnga-Vishaya) situated near the mouth of the Dihing river." (Guha 1983:11) "According to tradition, Habung was a petty medieval principality governed by its Brahmin settlers themselves. It now appears from a recently found copper plate inscription that it was the same as the Ha-Vrnga Vishaya where a Brahmin was given land by King Ratnapala. (c 10th century) (Guha 1983:33f)