Barua (also spelt as Baroa, Baruah, Barooa, Barooah, Baroova, Baroowa, Borooah, Baruva, Baruwa, Borooah, Borua, Boruah) is a common Assamese surname shared by the Assamese communities much like Aroras of Punjab.

In Assam Valley

History

Originally, the Barua surname was used as a military rank in the Sutiya kingdom held by individuals from the Buruk clan. The historical examples, such as Borhuloi Barua, Gajraj Barua, Manik Chandra Barua and Kasitora Barua were Sutiya officials. During the Ahom reign, Barua represented by the Tai word Phu-ke (literally: "Leader of 10,000 men" in Ahom language), meant a superintending officer of the Paik system of the Ahom Army. Appointments as Baruas were made irrespective of the paik's religion or ethnicity. Among other ethnic groups, there is mention of Sutiya Baruas in several instances of Buranjis. For example, there was a Sutiya revolt against the monarchy led by a Sutiya Barua in 1673. Ahom Barua was a position held by the family of the Sutiya Kataki who joined the Ahoms, after the defeat of Sutiyas; while Sutiya Karhi Barua was an officer under whom the Sutiya archers of the king's palace were posted. During the reign of Siva Singha, the Dulia Barua and Kukurachuwa Barua were Sutiyas. Other examples of Sutiya Baruas include Moi Barua (Buruk-Chutia origin ) and Aruwandhara Barua. The Kachari, Sonowal and Thengal Baruas were of Kachari origin, while the others like Bapu, Bez and Dewalia Baruas were Brahmins. Besides these, during the Moamoria rebellion, the Matak rebels also appointed Baruas among themselves.

Present

The rank bestowed upon the individuals within the Assamese community was adopted by and forms part of the continuum of the Assamese society of several groups – the Ahoms, the Brahmins, the Kalitas, the Koch, the Morans, the Motoks, the Kacharis (Sonowals and the Thengals), besides the Sutiyas.

Baruas

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