Ahom system of administration: the Paik system

Paik system forms the most important factor in the social and the political organisation of the Ahoms Kingdom.The entire fabric of their rule was based on this system. The word paik was designated by the Ahoms to the individuals forming the rank and file of their compulsory labour service.

The Pik System was systematically implemented by Momai Tamuli Barbarua under the patronage of King Pratap Singha. Under the Paik system every adult male between the age 16 to 50 was registered as a pik for State service. The pik system of the Ahom government fostered friendship and unity amongst the common people. The smallest unit of the pik, called got, consisted of four piks, who generally did not belong to the same family. It was the system of those days that when one or two piks of the got work under the State, the remaining three or two, had to look after the household affairs of their absent comrade.

The first person in accordance to the seniority was called as mul, the second as dewal and the third as tewal. Further the paiks were organized into Khels on professional or functional basis like Naosaliya Khel and Dhenu Chosa khel.
Under Paik system forms the most important factor in the social and the political organisation of the Ahoms Kingdom.The entire fabric of their rule was based on this system. The word paik was designated by the Ahoms to the individuals forming the rank and file of their compulsory labour service.
system, when a boy completes 16 years of age, he is called a “paik “. however he was not engaged in any work until he attains the age of 20years. a got was formed with four nos. of paiks.. one paik was called a powa. later on the gots comprised of three paiks and these paiks were called , mul, dewal and tewal.

In a year each paik had to work for four months, for the king. the other two paiks of the same got, had to help the family of the paik working for the king, in agriculture and other household works, so that his family does not suffer because of his absence. a khel was formed comprising of paiks i.e. divisions were made .as per requirement these divisions were engaged in a particular work. the paiks were engaged in construction of roads and temples, in digging ponds, in clearing jungles, in construction of palaces etc .besides these, the paiks had to go to war to fight for the king .

APSC Notes brings Prelims and Mains programs for APSC Prelims and APSC Mains Exam preparation. Various Programs initiated by APSC Notes are as follows:-

For any doubt, Just leave us a Chat or Fill us a querry