The Ahom Kingdom | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Introduction

In the early 13th century, there were two kingdoms in the northeast region of India:

• Kamrupa: Its capital was Pragyajyotishpura, which is now modern-day Guwahati.
• Ahom Kingdom: Located further north in the eastern Brahmaputra Valley in Assam.

The Ahom Kingdom was a powerful and influential kingdom in Northeast India. It maintained its sovereignty for nearly 600 years, beginning from 1228 CE.

Political

Initial consolidation

Establishment and Expansion of the Ahom Kingdom:

• The Ahom Kingdom was founded by Sukapha, a Tai prince from upper Burma, who moved to upper Assam and conquered the Chutias, Morans, and Nagas tribes in the region.
• Under Sukhangpha(1293-1332), the Ahoms became the dominant power in the Brahmaputra Valley.
• After a few interruptions, the kingdom stabilized under Sudangpha(1397-1407), who strengthened boundaries and fought against the Nara and Kamata rulers.
• The territory expanded significantly under Suhungmung in the 16th century, becoming multi-ethnic and deeply influencing the political and social landscape of the Brahmaputra Valley.
• Suhungmung also defended the kingdom against early Muslim invasions led by Turbak Khan.

Conflict between Ahom Kingdom and Mughal under different Mughal Emperors: 

Ahom-Mughal Conflicts (1615-1682):

• The Ahom-Mughal conflicts spanned from the first Mughal attack on the Ahom kingdom in 1615 to the final Battle of Itakhuli in 1682.
• The Mughals invaded the Ahom kingdom for territorial expansion, rich natural resources like elephants and aromatic plants, and due to Ahom interference in Kamrupa against Mughal interests.

During Jahangir's Reign (1615-1620):

• In the 17th century, the Ahom kingdom directly encountered the Mughals after the conquest of Kamrup under Jahangir in 1612.
• Jahangir invaded the Ahom kingdom in 1615 due to the Ahom rulers' support for Kamrup, but faced difficulties due to the challenging terrain.

During Shahjahan's Reign (1636-1658):

• Shahjahan continued the conflict against the Ahom kingdom from 1636 to 1639, eventually imposing a treaty that established the Bud-Nadi (Brahmaputra) as the boundary between the Mughals and Ahoms.
• The Ahoms accepted Mughal control over Kamrupa, and trade between the two kingdoms was facilitated.
• In 1648, Ahom ruler Jayadhwaj sacked Decca and expelled the Mughals from Guwahati, taking advantage of Shahjahan's illness.

During Aurangzeb's Reign (1658-1707):

• During the Mughal war of succession (1656-1658), Ahom ruler Pran Narayan seized Kamrup from the Mughals.
• Aurangzeb responded by appointing Mir Jumla to recover lost territories and capture Shuja, Aurangzeb's brother.
• Mir Jumla launched a major campaign in 1661 with a large army and advanced into Kamrup, occupying important forts and pressuring Ahom ruler Jayadhwaj.
• In 1663, Jayadhwaj agreed to a treaty accepting Mughal suzerainty, surrendering territory, paying indemnity, and offering his daughter as a hostage.
• Mir Jumla's death shortly after the treaty weakened the Mughal position, allowing Jayadhwaj to recover lost areas.

Battle of Saraighat (1671):

• In December 1667, Aurangzeb dispatched a large army led by Raja Ram Singh I to subdue the Ahoms after their capture of Guwahati.
• The Battle of Saraighat, fought in 1671 on the Brahmaputra River, was the last major clash between the Mughals and Ahoms.
• Despite being outnumbered, the Ahom army, led by Lachit Borphukan, defeated the Mughal forces through tactical advantage, diplomatic negotiations, guerrilla tactics, and exploiting the Mughal navy's weakness.
• The Ahoms achieved a decisive victory, briefly regaining Guwahati later, but solidified control in the Battle of Itakhuli (1682), ending Mughal dominance in Kamrup.

Reasons for Mughal Failure in Northeast:

• Difficult terrain and lack of understanding of the northeastern topography hindered Mughal control.

Significance of Lachit Barphukan:

• After Jayadwaj Singha's death, his successor Chakradwaj Singha reformed the Ahom kingdom, appointing Lachit Barphukan as commander of the restructured army.
• In August 1667, Lachit successfully retook Guwahati with Atan Burhagohain.
• Faced with a larger Mughal force, Lachit demonstrated tactical brilliance, choosing Guwahati's hilly terrain and exploiting the river's narrow width at Saraighat.
• Lachit set up mud embankments to force the Mughal navy into the river, utilizing the monsoon to the Ahoms' advantage.
• Despite being ill during the battle, Lachit rallied the Ahom forces, leading a decisive counterattack and securing a significant victory over the larger Mughal army.
• His leadership and strategy are celebrated as one of the greatest military exploits in Indian history.

Recent Recognition:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored Lachit Barphukan on his birth anniversary, known as 'Lachit Divas' in Assam, comparing him to historical figures like Rana Pratap and Shivaji.
• The best cadet at the National Defence Academy is awarded the Lachit Borphukan gold medal, commemorating his legacy as a brave soldier and brilliant tactician.

Rebellions

In the late 18th century, the Ahom Kingdom faced a series of rebellions that significantly weakened its control over the region. The Moamoria rebellion in Upper Assam and the Dundiya rebellion in Western Assam caused considerable loss of life and property, putting immense pressure on the kingdom's stability.

• The Prime Minister of the Ahom Kingdom, determined to restore order, worked tirelessly to re-establish royal authority over the troubled regions.
• Through persistent efforts, the Prime Minister was able to suppress the rebellions and reinforce the central power, ultimately restoring the Ahom rule over the kingdom.

Burmese invasions and Anglo-Burmese War

• Three Burmese invasions of Assam occurred between 1817 and 1826. During this period, the Ahom kingdom was under Burmese control from 1821 to 1825.
• After the First Anglo-Burmese War and the Treaty of Yandabo in 1826, the Burmese were defeated, and control of the kingdom passed to the East India Company.

Society

• People who adopted the Ahom way of life and governance were brought into the Ahom fold through a process called Ahomization. This led to the transformation of other tribes into Ahoms, significantly increasing Ahom numbers.
• However, the empire's rapid and vast expansion outpaced the Ahomization process, resulting in the Ahoms becoming a minority within their own kingdom. This shift transformed the kingdom into a multi-ethnic and inclusive society.
• During the 17th century, the Assamese language began to coexist with the Tai language in the Ahom court before eventually replacing it.
• Under the rule of Sudangphaa, who was raised in a Brahmin household, there was a notable Hindu influence in the kingdom.

Economy

• The Ahom kingdom operated on the Paik system, which was a form of corvee labor, different from traditional feudalism.
• In this system, every common subject was a paik, and four paiks formed a got.
• At any time of the year, one paik from each got would provide direct service to the king, while the others tended to his fields.
• The first coins were introduced in the 16th century, but the Paik system of personal service remained in place.
• The Ahoms introduced warm rice cultivation technology, which they shared with other groups.
• In the 17th century, as the Ahom kingdom expanded to include Koch and Mughal territories, it encountered their revenue systems and adapted its practices accordingly.

Administration

Swargadeo:

• The kingdom was governed by a king known as Swargadeo, who had to be a descendant of the first king Sukaphaa.
• Succession was typically by primogeniture, but the influential Gohains could sometimes elect a different descendant of Sukaphaa or even remove a sitting king.

Dangarias (Gohains):

• There were two Gohains to assist the king in administration:
• Burhagohain
• Borgohain
• These officials were given independent territories and had complete control over the paiks(laborers or soldiers) in their regions.
• These positions were usually filled from specific families.
• Princes eligible for the position of Swargadeo could not be considered for these roles, and vice versa.
• In the 16th century, King Suhungmung added a third Gohain Borpatrogohain.

Royal Officers:

Pratap Singha introduced two positions, Borbarua and Borphukan, directly under the king.

Borbarua:

• Served as both the military and judicial head.
• In charge of the area east of Kaliabor not controlled by the Gohains.
• Could use a portion of the paiks for personal service, with the rest serving the Ahom state.

Borphukan:

• Held military and civil authority over the region west of Kaliabor.
• Acted as the Swargadeo’s viceroy in the western region.

Patra Mantris:

• The five positions constituted the patra mantris(council of ministers).

Governor:

• Members of the royal families ruled certain areas, known as Raja.