Saikia


Saikia is a Paik officer of Ahom Army under the Ahom Kingdom. Now the descendant's clans use it as a surname This is usually used among the people of Ahom and other caste which ancestors were Saikia Officer.

Etymology

The word Saikia, is a derivative of the Assamese word - Xô, meaning 'one hundred - 100'. It was a military title given to the officials of the Ahom monarchy.

Historical Usage

The Ahom Kingdom of medieval Assam used the Paik system, a form of corvee labour In this system, a Paik was the tiniest unit of the Ahom military system. A Saikia was the commanding officer of 100 such paiks. The appointment of a Saikia was the responsibility of his Phukan or Rajkhowa.
The paiks had the right to reject a Saikia and request another officer of their choice. Appointments were made irrespective of the paik's religion or ethnicity.

Current Usage

Over the years, the usage of this title has ceased to be a professional or military title. The surname is now common to Hindus in Assam. Among the Hindus, the surname is mostly written by
Chutia, Kalita, Koch, Sonowal Kacharis and Thengal Kacharis.

Famous people with the surname of Saikia