The Paik system was one of the foundational institutions of the Ahom kingdom, shaping the relationship between the state, land, and the people. Rather than functioning as a rigid caste hierarchy, the system organized households into service groups responsible for military, agricultural, and administrative duties.

Origins of the Paik System

The roots of the Paik system lie in older Dai political traditions, where communal responsibility and rotational service formed the basis of governance. Each adult male was registered as a paik, tied to land allotments and obligated to render service to the state when called upon.

In time of peace it was the custom to employ the paiks on public works; and this is how the enormous tanks and the high roads... were constructed — Edward Gait (1907)

Although the word paik is undoubtebly of indic-origin (paik meaning footsoldier) but it actually comes from the proto-tai word phrai/ไพร่ meaning citizen or manpower.

Structure and Organization

Paiks were grouped under officers who supervised service obligations and land distribution. This structure allowed the Ahom state to mobilize manpower efficiently while maintaining a degree of social stability within village communities.

Duties ranged from military service and construction work to agricultural production and royal administration. Service was typically rotational, ensuring that households were not permanently deprived of their workforce.

Categories of Paik service in the Ahom kingdom

	Assamese	Ahom	Roman	Meaning
	Gogoi	eka$koj#	Kawkoi	et. (probably) from Deori word Gogoi meaning younger brother
	Gohain	vw@mE[q#	Thaomerng	lit. country elder
	Borgohain	vw@mE[q#lu[q	Thaomernglung	lit. great country elder
	Buragohain	cw@fo[q#mE[q#	Tsaophongmerng	noble lord / ruler
	Borpatroguhain	cw@sE[q@lu[q	Tsaosernglung	governor / ruler of a district
	Chetia	cw@sV[q	Tsaoseng*	lit. amber lord / treasurer
	Borchetia	cw@sV[qlu[q	Tsaosenglung*	lit. senior treasurer
	Rajkunwor	cw@xunq	Tsaokhun	prince
	Rajkunwori	cw@n,[q#	Tsaonang	princess
	Kunwor	cw@noj$	Tsaonoi	lit. little prince
	Borah	hUws,w#	Hosao	leader of twenty heads
	Saikia	hUwp,kq!	Hopak	leader of hundred heads
	Hazarika	hUwhC[q	Hoheng	leader of thousand heads
	Hiloidari	cw@ko[q@	Tsaokong	lit. lord of artillery
	Phukan	fU@konq#	Phukawn	lit. head / leader of a group
	Borphukan	fU@konq#lu[q	Phukawnlung	lit. senior military leader
	Parbatiaphukan	fU@konq#doj	Phukawndoi	lit. head of mountain troops
	Dekaphukan	fU@konq#m]!	Phukawnmai	lit. head of young troops
	Deodhaiphukan	fU@konq#emas,j	Phukawn Mawsai	lit. head of shamans
	Chiringphukan	fU@konq#cIrV[q#	Phukawn Tsireng	lit. strong young leader (chi/ᦈᦲ means young person)
	Damphukan	fU@konq#dM@	Phukawndam	lit. one in charge of the dead
	Rajkhuwa	fU@kinqmE[q#	Phukinmerng	lit. revenue collector
	Hatimuria	hUwc,[q$	Hozhang	lit. who operates the elephant-head cannon
	Tungkhungia	tu[qx,[q	Tungkhang	lit. one from tungkhang
	Dihingia	edhi[q	Dehing	lit. one from dehing
	Baruah	fU@ek]@	Phukae	lit. mediator
	Borbaruah	fU@ek]@lu[q	Phukaelung	lit. senior mediator
	Khongiabarua	fU@ek]@xV[q	Phukaekhaeng	lit. stiff mediator
	Dadhorabaruah	fU@ek]@mitq@	Phukaemit	mediator in violent affairs
	Hatibarua	fU@ek]@c,[q$	Phukaezhang	lit. elephant mediator
	Handique	l,nqtj#mE[q#	Lantaimerng	- grandchildren of Tai
	Mohan	emahU[q	Mawhong	lit. the famed shaman
	Moplong	emapo[q	Mawpong	supervise (lit. one who can supervise)
	Deodhai	emas,j	Mawsai	scientist/alchemist (lit. one who knows the cord)
	Changbun	c,[q@bUnq$	Changwon	scientist/alchemist (lit. one who knows the cord)

Social and Cultural Significance

Beyond its administrative role, the Paik/Phrai system reflected deeper Dai notions of collective duty and reciprocity. Service to the state was understood as a communal obligation, closely tied to land rights and protection.

The Paik system remains a key lens through which the political and social organization of the Ahom kingdom can be understood.