Exploring the Remarkable Legacy of the Ahom Dynasty: A Journey of Historical Insights
Prior to the East India Company’s invasion, India was entirely ruled by the Mughals. But surprisingly, the northeastern part of the country, especially Assam was still undefeated by the imperial soldiers, why so? who were the rulers of Assam during that period and how come a small region could defeat the powerful Mughal warriors 18 times is a history less known. During the period of 1615–1682, the Mughal Royal Army placed several numbers of attacks to claim Assam but the Ahom soldiers gave them a tough situation each time.
This is about one of India’s longest-reigned dynasties- the Ahom Dynasty and their gallant soldiers.
The Ahom dynasty was a Tai-speaking group or community of Myanmar that ruled over the Brahmaputra valley in Assam, India, from the 13th- 18th centuries (Year 1228–1826) for almost 600 years. The Ahoms were a formidable military power, a group of warriors and agriculture specialists, that entered Assam in order to settle down. Soon this small group of people mixed up with the locals and took part in agricultural activities, especially wet rice cultivation in the entire state. After forming their full-fledged Kingdom after pushing back Chutiya and Dimasas, Ahoms successfully defended their kingdom against repeated invasions by many foreign invaders and the Mughal Empire.
As the kingdom pushed west it came under attack from Turkic and Afghan rulers. After the final defeat of Parikshit (1613), the first organised Mughal attack upon Assam was made with a view to conquering that kingdom. It was the outcome of the aggressive imperialism of the Mughals.
Years and years passed by and the Mughal Kingdom kept on trying to invade Assam. Many fights were fought in this period, out of which the Battle of Samdhara, and the Battle of Itakhuli were the prominent ones.
As their final strategy, the Mughal Kingdom placed their most aggressive and sophisticated attack under the leadership of Raja Ram Singh in order of Aurangazeb. The Battle of Saraighat was a naval battle, and it was fought on the Brahmaputra River at Saraighat, near Guwahati on March 4–10, 1671. The Mughal army led by Ram Singh consisted of over 35,000 soldiers, while the Ahom army led by Lachit Borphukan, the Chief General of Ahom had about 15,000 soldiers.
The Mughals had a number of advantages, including a larger army and more sophisticated weapons. However, the Ahoms were led by a brilliant general in Lachit Borphukan, and they were able to use their knowledge of the terrain to their advantage.
Despite being half of the Royal Army, Lachit’s clever war strategy- including naval and guerrilla warfare, devastated the huge Mughal troopers. The Battle was planned primarily by exploiting the sole weakness of the Mughal forces — its navy. Despite being physically ill Lachit led the Ahom army till regaining total control of the war. The battle was a close-fought contest, but the Ahoms were eventually victorious. The Mughals were forced to retreat, and they never again posed a serious threat to the Ahom kingdom. The Ahoms had built a series of fortifications along the river, and they used these to their advantage. They also had a number of innovative weapons, including a type of flamethrower called the “mukhia jhau”.
The Battle of Saraighat was a decisive victory for the Ahoms, and it helped to ensure their survival as a kingdom. The Battle of Saraighat is a significant event in Indian history, and it is a testament to the military prowess of the Ahoms. The battle helped to ensure the survival of the Ahom kingdom for many years, and it is still remembered today as a symbol of national pride.
The Battle of Saraighat was the last major attempt by the Mughals to extend their empire into Assam. Though the Mughals managed to regain Guwahati briefly later after a Borphukan deserted it, the Ahoms wrested control in the Battle of Itakhuli in 1682 and maintained it till the end of their rule.
In order to immortalize the legacy of this braveheart, the National Defence Academy confers the ‘Lachit Borphukan Gold Medal’ every year to the best passing out cadet since 1999. November 24 is celebrated as Lachit Divas in Assam to commemorate the heroism of Lachit Borphukan and the victory of the Ahom Army at the Battle of Saraighat.
Though been a powerful force for centuries, the later part of their rule the Ahom Kingdom was marked by a number of challenges, including the Moamoria rebellion, internal strife, depopulation due to emigration, and invasion by Burmese tribes.
The rebellion was eventually put down by the Ahom army, but it left the kingdom weakened and unstable. Also, the Ahom population was declining due to emigration, and the economy was struggling. The kingdom was also facing increasing pressure from the Burmese, who were expanding their empire into Assam.
In 1826, the British East India Company intervened in the First Anglo-Burmese War. The British defeated the Burmese, and the Treaty of Yandabo was signed. The treaty gave the British control of Assam, and the Ahom kingdom came to an end.
The fall of the Ahom kingdom was a major turning point in the history of Assam. The British brought their own system of government and administration, and they began to exploit the natural resources of the region. The Ahoms were marginalized, and their culture and language began to decline.
The Battle of Saraighat is a fascinating and inspiring story. It’s a story of courage, determination, and victory against all odds. It’s a story that should be remembered and celebrated.