If you are fascinated by the history of Northeast India, you might have heard of the Ahom dynasty, a powerful kingdom that ruled over Assam for nearly six centuries. But how much do you really know about this remarkable dynasty and its legacy?
The first king of the Ahom kingdom was Chaolung Sukaapha, a Shan prince of Mong Mao (present day Yunnan, China) who crossed the Patkai mountain region to reach Brahmaputra valley and lay foundation of the Ahom Dynasty. He founded the capital city ,Charaideo. They were known for their strong strategies and alliances, which helped them in resisting foreign invasion, including those from the Mughals.
One of the most legendary Ahom warriors was Lachit Borphukan, the general of the Ahom Kingdom. The Ahom Kingdom would see its first major engagement against an imperial power in the form of the Mughal Empire in 1615. The Ahom capital of Garhgaon was occupied by the Mughals in 1662, but they were dislodged in subsequent engagements. Finally, during the battle of Saraighat in 1671, the Ahoms under Lachit Borphukan managed to repel a major Mughal invasion and Mughal presence in the region would be permanently ended by 1682.
In the event of an unsuitable candidate, the Kingdom can run even without King . Yes there were brief periods in the 14th century when No King was anointed and the Kingdom was administered through the Council of Ministers.
Beyond appointment, King could even be removed by the Council of Ministers in the passage of an event unacceptable to the kingdom.
Kareng ghar
The Ahom kings patronized the arts, literature, and architecture, resulting in the construction of magnificent structures such as temples, palaces, and fortresses. They also played a crucial role in promoting the local language, literature, and religious practices, blending indigenous traditions with elements from other cultures. They were primarily responsible for converting the undulating alluvial forest and marshy plains in upper Assam to flat rice fields able to hold plain water for rice cultivation via a network of embankments.
Mughal made umpteen attempts to enter the north east and as many as 17 attempts are recorded where they were summarily defeated and humiliated. One of the recorded losses was of Governor of West Bengal Mir Jumla who invaded North east in 1659. The Ahom were a class apart. They lured him to follow inside the mountain terrain and finally slaughtered them with their entire Army inside the valley. He was later buried in an area around Assam Meghalaya. Modern Historians deceitfully failed to record the bravery of these Mountain warriors.
Sati Joymoti, also known as Joymoti Konwari, was an Ahom princess and the wife of Ahom prince Gadapani . She is remembered for her sacrifice and bravery in the face of torture by royalists under Sulikphaa Loraa Roja. She refused to disclose her exiled husband Gadapani’s whereabouts in the Naga Hills, thereby enabling her husband to rise in revolt and assume kingship.
A kingdom that stood the test of time, a dynasty that ruled longer than the Mauryans and Mughals, and a culture that still resonates in the heartland of Assam. The echoes of their bravery in the face of invasions, their architectural marvels, and the tales of their queens still reverberate in the lush green valleys and along the mighty river. The Ahom Kingdom may have faded into the pages of history, but its legacy continues to live on, reminding us of a glorious past and inspiring us for a promising future.
.png)
Comments
Post a Comment