It has been said of the Moghuls- undaunted, undefeated brave Kings. Under Aurangzeb the vast areas of India came under his control. Aurangzeb was very powerful although he was cruel and religious bigot. But there were Kings and rulers in India whom the Moghuls could neither capture nor defeat them. The Moghuls were driven out from the Indian rulers on many fronts. Less has been focused on this aspect in Indian history. Such a kingdom was ruled by Ahom Dynasty in the north-east.
The descendents of Ahom dated back in the early 13th century came from Thailand and Myanmar and settled in Assam. It is said the name Assam came from Ahom. Although they came from outside very soon, they adopted Indian culture. Ahom was founded in 1228 by Sukapa. Their early capital was Cheroydoy. By 1300 Khaljis of Delhi attacked Ahoms but were defeated and driven away. Ahoms defeated Thoghluks and Ilmasshahi army in 1350. By the end of 15th century Lodhis were also defeated by Ahoms. Later the sultans of Bengal also met their defeat by Ahoms. Aurangzeb sent his army under Mir Jumla and Dilerkhan to Ahoms to acquire Bengal and Ahom.
Jayadwaja Singha:
The Moghul army which consisted of 70000 soldiers with elephants, horses made their attack first on Bengal. Later they moved to Ahom Kingdom along the Brahmputra coast. The army captured Guwahati, Simalguri and Gargham. There was a dreadful bloodshed loss on the part of Ahom kingdom. Jaydwaja was forced to sign a pact with the Moghuls. With the effect, the Ahoms had to part a large sum of money as a part of war loss. Hundreds of elephants were also given. Even the daughter of Jayadwaja was handed over to the enemies. With all the loss occurred to the king, he lost his mental balance. He breathed last.
Chakradwaja Singha:
Chakradwaja Singha became the ruler. The treasury was empty, the enemies surrounded allover, and losing confidence everywhere kept the kingdom at a low esteem. But Chakradwaja had an intent desire to reestablish Ahom. He was in search of an able commander for his army. He found Lachith (Pronounced as Lasith). He was born in 1620. His father occupied a good position in Rajasthan. Lachith was wellversed in warfare. Soon he became the chief of the army. Lachith came to be known as Borphukan Lachith. Strict training sessions were conducted to the army men. Built warships and strong forts around Ahom. The warfare materials were modernized. No clues reached the ears of Moghuls as Lachith kept sending gifts to the moghuls and pretended friendly with them.
Guwahati captured:
In 1667 Phiroz khan came to power. He was cruel. He ordered Chakradwaja to send Assamese young women. This aroused the assamese to fight the moghuls out and tried to capture the fort of Itkuli. Climbing over the fort, unknowingly to the Moghuls poured waters to their war materials. The next day Lachith with his huge army drove away the Moghul officials and army men from Guwahati. Thus, Guwahati was recaptured.
Alboi Fight:
Auranzeb was furious. This time he sent 70000 soldiers to fight with Ahom. Both armies fought at Alboi. The Moghul army was stronger than the Ahoms. But the Ahoms defeated the Moghuls at last. Ahoms army fought very bravely Lachith on the battlefield. Lachith was wounded badly. Chakradwaja won the battle, but died later in the next year.
Saraighat struggle
Udayadithya Singha succeeded. The Moghuls wanted to take revenge of their defeat. They got such an opportunity in 1671. They understood Ahoms had kept less armymen in certain parts. They planned to get into such parts. The news reached Ahoms. Immediately Ahoms gave importance to building navy. They built 40 ships. Both the Moghuls and Ahoms came face to face at Saraighat in 1671. Ahom’s army were f ighting back. Lachith was ill but jumped out of his bed to keep his men encouraging. Munnawar Khan, the chief of Moghul army was killed in the battle. 4000 Moghul men were also killed and their dead bodies were thrown into Brahmaputra waters. Ahoms won the battle.
The last Ahom-Moghul struggle
Lachith died due to ill health. The Moghuls did not turn to the Ahoms for the next 11 years. In 1682 They came back when Gadhadhara Singha was the Ahom’s King. Gadhadhara Singha drive out Mansur Khan, the chief of the Moghul army. He captured all the Ahom provinces that went to the Moghuls before. He extended his empire till Manasa River. This is the famous Itakuli Battle. This was also the last battle between Ahoms and the Moghuls.
Ahom kings developed Six capitals in their kingdom at different times. They combined together the tribal groups to keep Assam Strong and united. Vijayanagara in the South, Marathas in the Deccan, Rajputs in the northwest, Karkota in Kashmir and so Ahoms in the north east. They defeated the Muslim rulers in 17 battles. They ruled the north-east for 598 (1228-1826) years.
The Moghul dynasty was established in the early part of 16th century. As already mentioned in Chapter 3, when the administration of the Delhi Sultans was weak, Babar established the Moghul dynasty and rule in 1526.
Good night Gurugaley