Ram Singh.27s campaign Ahom–Mughal conflicts

35-feet-high statue of ahom general lachit borphukan , army in middle of brahmaputra.

in december 1667, mughal emperor aurangzeb received intelligence of capture of guwahati ahoms, , @ once resolved dispatch strong army reestablish mughal prestige in north-east frontier. commissioned raja ramsingh of amber, son of distinguished general mirza-raja jai singh i, lead invasion of assam. accompanied rashid khan, ex-faujdar of guwahati. ram singha reached frontier garrison of rangamati in february 1669. on ram singha’s arrival @ rangamati, ahom commanders stationed @ manaha attempted oppose advance of enemy. there few skirmishes, assamese not attain success. assamese not prepared such eventuality , left frontier garrisons , sailed down guwahati.

also, ahoms had not quite completed preparations resisting ramsingh i’s advance. lachit borphukan, commander-in-chief of ahom camp had realized postponement of open encounter enable him bring preparations perfection in light of enemy’s superior strength. lachit borphukan sent following message ram singh tell raja ram singh want know why has come our country. firoz khan, ex-fauzadar of guwahatii, prisoner of ahoms, released , lachit barphukan sent him raja ram singh above message. ram singh demanded through firoz khan restoration of limit fixed in 1639 between allah yar khan , momai tamuli borbarua. time received reply barphukan rather fight yield inch of territory providence had given master.

the result in first 2 battles of campaign fought near tezpur in beginning of april 1669. ahoms worsted on both occasions, gained naval battle, , afterwards repulsed muhammadans , ram singha compelled retire hajo quarreled rashid khan. ram singha cut tent ropes , ordered him out of camp. afterwards muhammadans again defeated near sualkuchi, both on land , water.

at juncture, ramsingh challenged chakradhwaj singha single combat, , undertook, if defeated, return army bengal. ahom king declined invitation, , ordered generals renew attack. did so, , won double engagement near sessa. followed success taking fort @ agiathuti, afterwards ram singha attacked ahom army , routed it, inflicting heavy loss. barphukan hurried reinforcements, flank tired , obliged retreat loss of ships. raja ram singha opened negotiations peace. ahoms tired of war, , hostilities suspended time. sporadic engagement accompanied proposals of peace continued during 1669 , 1670. october 1669 march 1670, ram singha withdrew himself fight.

in meantime ramsingh sent letter barphukan inviting king of assam fight duel in presence of 2 hostile armies. ahom king dismissed insolent challenge saying— ram singha mere servant , has no umbrella on head. not fight duel such man. chakradhvaj singha not hold patience longer. in meantime mughal had concentrated army near alaboi hill in vicinity of dalibari. terrible contest ensued on plains south of alaboi hill. ahoms badly defeated in battle. massacre @ alaboi had terribly upset lachit barphukan. though alaboi massacre meant serious loss ahoms did not confer upon enemy decisive advantage.

but ram singha repeated demands evacuation of guwahati , reversion status quo ante of year 1639. barphukan remained firm in position had maintained. war inevitable between 2 parties. when war taking more critical turn, chakradhwaj singha, king of assam died in april 1670. succeeded brother udayaditya singha (sunyatphaa, 1670-1672)

although negotiations mughals continued, ram singha suspecting sincerity of barphukan returned attack. udayaditya renewed war , ordered barphukan march 20,000 men samdhara saraighat. ahoms successful on land navy forced retreat. barphukan arrived more ships , mughal army beaten , ahoms gained second land victory. mughals not stand dash , fury of assamese onset. assamese fighting life , liberty, , mughals mere luxury of triumph , territorial expansion. barphukan intended chase them further still, dissuaded achyutanda doloi. combat came end, , decisive victory assamese. battle known in history battle of saraighat. ram singha weakened repeated losses retreated rangamati in march 1671. hadira opposite goalpara became ahom frontier out post. mughals evicted kamrup, strong fortifications constructed @ guwahati. ahoms remained in undisturbed possession of territories till 1679 a.d.