Saikia

Saikia is a common surname found among Assamese people in the state of Assam, India. It is a title historically conferred upon military or administrative officials by the Ahom kingdom. The word "Saikia" is derived from the Assamese word "xaikia," meaning a commander or leader of one hundred soldiers or paiks (laborers).

The title was bestowed by the Ahom rulers upon individuals who demonstrated leadership capabilities and were responsible for managing a unit of one hundred paiks within the Ahom's Paik system, a form of corvee labor. These Saikias were responsible for organizing, supervising, and leading their assigned paiks in various state projects, including agriculture, construction, and military service.

Over time, "Saikia" transitioned from being a title to becoming a hereditary surname adopted by the families of those who held the original position. Today, individuals with the surname Saikia can be found across various professions and walks of life in Assam and beyond. The surname serves as a marker of their ancestral connection to the historical administrative and military structures of the Ahom kingdom. The significance of the surname reflects the historical importance of the Ahom kingdom and its unique social and administrative organization.