Sati Joymoti- Redefining love through courage and sacrifice

Joymoti Konwari is remembered as the braveheart who sacrificed herself for the sake of her husband's life. She is celebrated and still remembered across Assam for her great courage. Assam was governed by the Ahom Rulers in those days. During 1671 to 1681Sukaphaa was going through a crucial phase as many incompetent kings were merely acting as puppets for their nobles and prime ministers. By this time, King Gadapani rose to power and attained full authority in Assam. He defeated the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and re- attained lower Assam and Guwahati. His wife Joymoti's sacrifice and support had a huge role in securing this power.

Laluksala Borphukan, who was the Prime Minister of Lora Roja (Boy king) Sulikhpaa, ordered all the Ahom dynasties to be attacked from 1679 to 1681. The objective was to keep the puppet king on the throne so that he could rule over the state. In this situation all the princes of Sukaphaa's clan were moving to safer locations to save their lives and Prince Gadapani who was the likely heir for the king's position went to the Naga Hills.

His escape made quite a noise in the court and troops were sent in his search. When the troops failed to find him, his wife Joymoti was summoned. She was than grilled about the whereabouts of her husband Gadapani. Joymoti was very mercilessly tortured by the troops sent by Laluksala Borphukan when she remained tightlipped about her husband's whereabouts. However, she tolerated everything and did not utter a single word about her husband. 'Jerenga pathaar', the place in Sivsagar where she was tied for 14 days as a punishment remains till date.

After being tied to a thorny tree, she was physically man handled. Boiling water was poured on her body. Even itch inducing plant leaves were rubbed over her body- such was the scale of the barbaric torture.

Joymoti had two sons, Lai and Lechai who were aged 14 and 12 during this time. She eventually died on account of the inhuman atrocities that she suffered at the hands of Lora Roja's men. She was an extraordinarily courageous woman and did not reveal about her husband's information till her last breath. This bold sacrifice of Joymoti eventually ushered Renaissance in Assam's history.

The word Sati was conferred on her (posthumously) on account of her unparalleled bravery. Joymoti's praise is sung by every Assamese even today and we see many poems, folktales, art, literature talking about her indomitable spirit. The first Assamese feature film directed by Jyoti Prasad Agarwala was Joymoti. Relased in 1935, Joymoti was enacted by Aideu Handique.

The legacy of Joymoti's life also remains through the architectural works (that were constructed in her memory) of her elder son Lai. The pond, Joysagar built by the Ahom kings is known to be the largest 'man made' water body of India. That was actually the place in Shivsagar where Joymoti had been tortured. Rudra Singha (Lai) had also constructed the Fakuwa Dol or the Joy Dol in 1703-04 on the banks of Joysagar. In order to commemorate his mother Joymoti's memory, Rudra Singha had built the temple and put a golden idol of her inside the temple. The temple was essentially built as a grave. The temple and it's pillars are some of the ruins that are still present as a symbol of the Ahom dynasty.

Though Joymoti is remembered by the Assamese community, she lacks adequate mention in academic textbooks. We know about the Mughals, their influence and battles and how they were not able to occupy Assam. However, Joymoti's contribution in saving the state and shaping the future course of Assam has not quite been stressed upon. The story of Joymoti however shall live on forever through our folklore and films and music. It is indeed our Assam's own story of epic love.

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