A History of Assam c11.142

c11.142

∗ A writer in the *Numismatic Chronicle* (Fourth Series, Vol. IX) disputes my conclusion on the strength of coins issued in 1648 A.D. by "Svarga Nārāyan Deb" whom he identifies with Pratāp Singh, This designation, however, is a title and not a name; it was used also by Suhungmung and other Ahom rulers prior to Chakradhvaj Singh, from whose time onwards it was usually replaced by the shorter "Svarga Deb," though it was still used occasionally, as in the inscriptions on the cannon of Chakradhvaj, Udayāditya and Gadādhar. Pratāp Singh's distinctive designation was "Buddha (the Wise) Svarga Nārāyan." With one exception, prior to the reign of Rudra Singh, Ahom kings issued coins only in the year of their accession. As 1648 A.D. is the year given in all the *Buranji*s for the accession of Jagadhvaj Singh, it may be regarded as certain that it was he and not Pratāp Singh who issued the coin under discussion. These considerations have already been pointed out by