Sunyatphaa's reign witnessed the end of Ahom-Mughal war, which started during the reign of Chakradhwaj Singha, when the Mughal army led by Rajput prince, Ram Singh I of Amber, was decisively defeated by the Ahom forces led by Ahom commander Lachit Borphukan in the Battle of Saraighat.
15 Facts About Sunyatphaa
1.
2.
Sunyatphaa's reign was followed by a series of political anarchy and internal disturbances in the Ahom kingdom which continued till the accession of Gadadhar Singha in 1681 CE.
3.
Sunyatphaa fought against the invading forces of Koch kingdom led by Chilarai during the reign of his elder brother Suklenmung and his nephew Sukhaamphaa.
4.
Sunyatphaa characterized the promises made by Ram Singh I as a highway made of ashes as they might not be accepted by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, or by the next Mughal commander who will succeed Ram Singh I Swargadeo Udayaditya Singha confirmed the views of the Premier Atan Burhagohain and directed the commanders to bring the war to a victorious conclusion.
5.
Sunyatphaa even asked the Borbarua to wear the skirt of woman in the event of his further inaction.
6.
Sunyatphaa instructed the chief of his personal body-guards, Papang Chaodang Barua, to arrest the Borbarua and kept him as a prisoner in the Hatisal or Elephant stalls.
7.
Sunyatphaa was known as Gakulpuri Sannyasi among common Assamese people, owing to his origin from Gakulpur.
8.
Sunyatphaa had first lived at Hajo with another hermit from Kalitakuchi in Kamrup.
9.
Sunyatphaa then set out on a pilgrimage to Brahmakunda in Eastern Assam, and stayed for sometime at Kalabari in the monastery of Banmali Gosain.
10.
Sunyatphaa was the son of Kharagom, the Ahom officer who had been killed in the Dafala campaign in 1672 CE.
11.
Sunyatphaa resolved to curb the influence of the Sannyasi and preserve the integrity and prestige of the Vaisnava monks of Assam.
12.
Sunyatphaa's mother beseeched Sarugohain to spare the life of Udayaditya, or kill her along with the deposed monarch.
13.
Sunyatphaa was subjected to various tortures, insults and humiliations, and later put to death.
14.
Sunyatphaa's corpse was placed on a raft and set adrift on the Dikhow River, as a warning to others who ever schemed to set up a new order.
15.
Sunyatphaa's stubbornness to bring the old Vaishnava Mahantas or Monks of Assam under the influence of Paramananda Sannyasi was a political blunder of highest magnitude which ultimately cost him his throne and his life.