Ahom Dynasty's Triumph Over the Mughals: 17 Battles of Resilience
Om Prakash
MSc Bioinformatics | AI & Data Science Enthusiast | Structural Bioinformatics | Genomics | ML for Biology
In ancient times, during the period when the Mughals were deemed invincible and had conquered a significant portion of India from the northern to the southern regions, there existed a kingdom in the northeast that consistently resisted Mughal rule and emerged victorious in 17 epic battles against them.
This dynasty from Assam, known as the Ahom dynasty, is forever etched in history as the most formidable and impactful ruling family in the Northeast. The Ahom dynasty was renowned for its courageous military leaders and effective administration.
History of the Ahom Dynasty
Originating from Southeast Asia, the Ahom rulers emerged as the predominant leaders in the northeast of India in the 13th century. They settled in the Brahmaputra Valley, now known as Assam, and solidified their rule in the 16th century by conquering the Sadiya, Bhuyar, and Dimasa kingdoms.
This led to the establishment of the powerful Ahom Dynasty, which endured for 600 years, successfully fending off attacks from various rulers including the Mughals.
The cohesion among the Ahom, skilled military commanders, and the strategic advantage of their northeastern location were key factors in their sustained dominance.
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Ahom vs. Mughals
The Mughals had by then captured almost half of India, but they had little to no influence in the northeast region of Assam. Therefore, they wanted to occupy the northeast regions of India and were looking for an opportunity to attack the Ahom dynasty.
After some years, the Mughals found a reason to attack the Ahom dynasty when an unauthorized Mughal trader was expelled from Assam. On the pretext of this incident, they attacked the Ahoms.
Battle of Samdhara 1616
The initial Mughal incursion into the Ahom dynasty occurred with the leadership of Syed Abu Bakr, Syed Hakkim, and Sattrajit, the son of the zamindar of Bhusna near Dacca, who governed the thanadar of Pandu and Guwahati, initiating an attack on Assam.
In March 1616, the Mughal troops set out from Bajrapur in Bengal towards Assam. By May/June, they reached the mouth of the Kalang river and vanquished the Ahom army.
The Mughals swiftly seized control of the region and progressed towards Bharali, establishing their base on the right bank facing the Ahom stronghold at Samdhara.
Despite a previous setback, the Ahom forces regathered and launched an unexpected counteroffensive against the Mughal army, causing significant losses and forcing the Mughals to retreat.
As a result, the Ahoms turned their defeat into a triumph.
Treaty of Asurar Ali 1636
In 1636, the Mughal army launched an attack on Assam Kamrup which led to a war between the Ahom kingdom and the Mughals. Initially, the Ahom forces were defeated and Assam became part of the Mughal empire. However, by 1638, the Ahom army regrouped and fought back against the Mughals.
In a decisive battle near Samdhara, the Mughals were defeated. Despite the loss of their Naval chief, the Ahom forces continued to fight courageously and eventually drove the Mughals out of Assam.
This conflict resulted in the signing of the Treaty of Asurar Ali between Mughal faujdar Allah Yar Khan and Ahom general Momai Tamuli Borbarua.
The treaty recognized the sovereignty of the Ahom king, with the western part of Assam, starting from Guwahati, falling under Mughal control while the rest remained part of the Ahom kingdom.
Treaty of Ghilajharighat 1663
Once again, a fierce battle erupted between the Ahom and Mughal forces. However, this time it was not the Mughals who initiated the conflict, but rather the newly crowned king of the Ahom dynasty, King Jayadhwaj Singha.
Following the 1636 Asurar Ali treaty where the Mughals gained control over western Assam starting from Guwahati, Jayadhwaj Singha, displeased with this arrangement, seized the opportunity to attack the Mughals.
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With the Mughal emperor's ailing health and internal conflicts within the Mughal kingdom, Jayadhwaj Singha expelled the Mughals from Guwahati, pursued them beyond the river Manas, and even captured many Mughal soldiers after destroying the Dhaka region.
Mir Jumla's Military Expedition
Upon ascending to the throne as the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb expressed displeasure towards the actions of King Jayadhwaj Singha and instructed Mir Jumla to launch an attack on Assam to restore the prestige of the Mughal empire in the northeast region.
In 1662, Mir Jumla successfully conquered Guwahati, Manas, Pandu, and Kajali in Assam, taking advantage of the discontent and internal conflicts within the Ahom camp.
The Mughal forces seized the Ahom capital of Gargaon, causing King Jayadhwaj Singha to retreat to the eastern hills. However, with the onset of the monsoon in Assam, the situation favored the Ahom forces as heavy rains flooded the region, cutting off the Mughal army's connection to their military base in Dhaka and leading to a severe epidemic in the Mughal camp at Mathurapur.
Seizing this opportunity, the Ahom forces launched a counterattack, capturing eastern Assam. As the monsoon season ended and the Mughal-Dhaka connection was restored, Mir Jumla resumed his expedition.
King Jayadhwaj Singha sought refuge in the hills once again, eventually leading to the signing of the Treaty of Ghilajharighat in 1663 between the Ahom king and Mir Jumla.
Under the terms of the treaty, King Jayadhwaj Singha was required to pay a war compensation of three lakh rupees, ninety elephants, and offer his daughter to the harem of the Mughal emperor.
Battle of Saraighat 1671
After Jayadhwaj passed away, his successor Chakradhwaj Singh took over the throne of Assam. He rejected the terms of the Treaty of Ghilajharighat, declaring his preference to die rather than submit to a foreign authority.
Ordering his troops to drive out the Mughals from Guwahati, he initiated a surprise assault that caught the unprepared Mughal forces off guard, resulting in their defeat.
Subsequently, Aurangzeb opted to wage a full-scale war in Assam, igniting the well-known conflict known as the Battle of Saraighat between the Mughals and the Ahoms.
Despite the overwhelming size of the Mughal army, led by Ram Singh of Amber, which included 35,000 infantry, 18,000 cavalry, 15,000 archers and shieldmen, 21 Rajput thakurs with their contingents, and forty ships, the Ahom military, under the command of Lachit Borphukan, with a strength of only 100,000 soldiers, emerged victorious.
Lachit Borphukan is hailed as a hero in Assam's history for his pivotal role in securing the victory at the Battle of Saraighat.
The final major clash between the Mughal Empire and the Ahom Kingdom was the Battle of Saraighat, which took place in 1671.
Led by Lachit Borphukan, the Ahom army emerged victorious over the Mughal forces commanded by Ram Singh I in a decisive naval battle on the Brahmaputra River.
Crucial Factors Leading to Ahom Triumph
Legacy of the Ahom Dynasty
The Ahom Dynasty's successful resistance against the Mughal Empire left a lasting legacy in the history of Northeast India. Their strategic military acumen, combined with effective governance, ensured that the region remained independent and free from Mughal domination. The Battle of Saraighat, in particular, is celebrated as a symbol of Assamese pride and resilience.
Conclusion
The Ahom Dynasty's triumph over the Mughal Empire is a testament to their strategic brilliance, military prowess, and unwavering determination.
Their victories in 17 epic battles not only safeguarded their kingdom but also etched their legacy into the annals of Indian history.
The Ahoms' ability to adapt, innovate, and leverage their unique strengths played a crucial role in their success against one of the most powerful empires of their time.
For a deeper dive into the historical significance of the Ahom Dynasty and their epic battles against the Mughals, explore the following resources.