ADALYA JOURNAL ISSN NO: 1301-2746 The Military System of Ahom Kingdom of Medieval Assam: A Historical Analysis Mr. Monjit Gogoi Assistant Professor (Contractual) Department of History Tihu College, Nalbari, Assam Email: [email protected] Abstract: In the history of medieval Assam, the establishment of Ahom kingdom in the first half of thirteenth century under the leadership of Sukapha was an important issue of discussion from different standpoints. This Ahom kingdom with its war and diplomatic policies could able to rule for about six hundred years which was unique ruling period in the history of Assam as well as India. Behind this prolonged rule of Ahom there was a good and well organized administration which had been appreciated by historians as well as British officials. Likewise the other aspects of administration, the Ahom rulers used to emphasis on the military system and for the development of a well equipped military system they took different initiatives at different level. The military system of Ahom was organized in different form like artillery, cavalry, navy, elephantry etc. under the supervision of special officers. Through the strong military system, the Ahom had not only been able to establish their political hegemony over the local tribes rather they could able to defeat foreign powers for many times. Key Words: Ahom, King, Administration, Military, Paik. Introduction: Among the important issues of Assam history the establishment of historic Ahom kingdom and their consolidation was a remarkable issue of discussion from different perspectives. The Tai origin Ahoms who were migrated to the Brahmaputra valley in the first half of thirteenth century under the leadership of Sukapha had established an empire in Brahmaputra valley by uniting the ancient Kamrup and Kamrup Kamata and other tribes which Volume 9, Issue 1, January 2020 651 http://adalyajournal.com/ ADALYA JOURNAL ISSN NO: 1301-2746 was existed for about six hundred years.1 From the time of the first king Suakapha onwards, the Ahom rulers had adopted different administrative policies which helped them in smooth functioning of their administration. Even, Sukapha, the first Ahom king appointed two officers known as Buragoahin and Borgohain just after the foundation of the kingdom to helped him in administrative issues. This legacy of administrative consciousness had also been visible during the reign of his successors.2 Likewise, the other issues of administration the Ahom rulers had also been emphasized on the military strength of the state and therefore from the time of Sukapha onwards they tried to develop a well organized military system in Assam. Therefore, in this study an attempt has been made to understand the various aspects of Ahom military administration. Methodology: In this study both historical and analytical methodology has been used and data are mainly collected from secondary sources like books, internet etc. Discussion: The Ahom had a well organized military administration which helped the kingdom in different time in different ways. During the rule of this historic kingdom in Assam we have references to several foreign invasions wheatear it was Turks, Mughal invasion from the west or the Naras from the east. However, the Ahom could push back these invasions through its well equipped military force.3 Even Mughal Lieutenant Rasid Khan appreciated the Ahom military power as “The enemy is beyond the reach of our heavy artillery; and there is no opportunity for fighting with arrow and guns. There ministers commanders and infantry are all to be admired for having constructed such an impregnable wall of defence.”4 During the time of Sukapha, Ahom undertook series of campaign against the state of Chutia, Moran and Borahi. Moreover, their policy of incessant warfare against the hill tribes indicates the efficiency of Ahom military. In the earlier stages, the king was considered as the supreme authority regarding the issues related to the war. However, later on the duties of military force had been distributed among various officers.5 Basically, the power of supreme command was vested in the Barbarua in Upper Assam and Barphukon in Lower Assam. However, during the time of national emergency the king used to select the Commander-in Chief among the great Gohains. However, there was a common practice of entrust the duties of Commander-in-Chief to Neog Phukon on land and the Pani Phukon on water. Moreover, in this context it is to be said Volume 9, Issue 1, January 2020 652 http://adalyajournal.com/ ADALYA JOURNAL ISSN NO: 1301-2746 that during the time of national emergency, the three Gohains, Barphukan and Barbaua had to move to the battlefield. Even during Mir Jumla’s invasion, the Ahom King Jayadhwaj Singha gave the army command.6 Ahom military system was interlinked with the paik System of Ahom administration. Paik system of Ahom administration helped the king in maximum utilization of man power whether it was war or peace. According to historian S.K Bhyan the paik system used to provide the necessary manpower during the time of war. Moreover, the non-serving paiks constituted a standing military force which could be mobilized during the time of emergency. The power of command to the paiks to render the military service was given to the Khelders.7 Moreover, the system of regular training to the paiks or troops was there in Ahom military administration. Even special training was given to the commanders regarding the use of different war weapons. Some Ahom rulers used to visit the training field to encourage the solders. In order to make them more valorous, Ahom administration used to give different rewards to the soldiers.8 The Ahom army was consisted of infantry, artillery, cavalry, elephantry and spices. The Persian chronicler who visited Assam during Ahom period had appreciated the high military techniques of Ahom. Sihabudin Talish, a Persian chronicler who came to Assam during Mirjumlas expedition writes “They (the Ahom) are superior to most nations in their bodily strength and power of endurance. They are enterprising...fond of war…if one of them should meet ten Mohmadans on foot, he will fearlessly attack them and even be victorious”.9 Moreover, Mirza Nathan, the author of Baharistan-i-Ghaibi appreciated the strength of Ahom infantry. Like other departments of Ahom military, special care was taken in maintaining the elephantry. The supervising officer of this department was Hati Baruah. Hati-Chungi section of Moran tribe provided the needed elephants to the Ahom state. The vast forest area as well as humid climate of the state facilitated elephant–breeding. According to the Hasti-Vidyanava, a treatise on elephant, the well trained elephants rendered the valuable service both during peace and war.10 As far as the navel power of Ahom is concerned it must be mentioned that they had an efficient naval force which was exhibited during the historic Saraighat and Kaliabar wars. The war boats of Ahom were commonly known as bacharis. Theses war boats had not only the power of carrying large numbers of soldiers rather these were furnished with big guns and canons. An official Mughal report stated that the numbers of boats reaching and passing Volume 9, Issue 1, January 2020 653 http://adalyajournal.com/ ADALYA JOURNAL ISSN NO: 1301-2746 Guwahati in a single month was 32,000. The supervising officer of this navy department of Ahom administration was known as Naosaliya Phukon who was entrusted with different issues related to naval force. Moreover, the workshops of navy were known as Naosals whereas the central workshop which was located at the Ahom metropolis called Barnaosals. At the initial stage the Barnaosal or the central naval workshop was situated at Gargoan and later at Rangpur. However, the workshops of Naosals were there at Gargaon, Majuli, Jaipur, Dergaon.11 Likewise other departments of Ahom military, they also emphasized on the cavalry force. This legacy of maintaining an efficient cavalry can be traced back to their ancestors who were noted equestrians in Yunan. Similarly, during the time of advent of Sukapha, there were 300 horses in his group. Ghora Baruah, an officer was appointed by the Ahom authority to supervise this cavalry department and he was assisted by two officers known as Barbara. Even Ahom imported horses from Bhutan. Although at the initial stage of Ahom monarchy this cavalry played a vital role in Assam however, due to peculiar topographical, geographical and climatic features of Assam it gradually lost its importance as a fighting force of Ahom monarchy.12 In the context of Ahom military system it is to be mentioned that during the time of war, Bezbaruah and Bailungs used to accompany the soldiers. The work of Bezbaruah, the royal physician was to provide the needed medicine to the solders whereas the Bailung, the religious priest cum astrologer of Ahom did the religious as well as astrological works before the war. Some religious beliefs were also deeply associated with the war policy of Ahom. Before participating in a war, they used to organize the Tban puja and after getting victory in the war they organized the religious festivals like Snefu-Snedum, Rik-Kbhan-Mungkbhan.13 Likewise the other aspects, maintaining discipline was another important feature of Ahom military system. There were several instances of punishment of the solders as well as officials by the king due to their inactivity or violation of royal order. In 1638, the Ahom king reproached his officers from the battlefield and gave capital punishments to two Hazarikas for their total inactivity. Similarly, King Chakradhvaj Singha warned his commanders against slackness and delinquency. Even Lachit Barphukon, the commander of Ahom army declared inactivity as a capital offence.14 Moreover, regarding the strict discipline of Ahom army, Persian historian Sihabuddin Talish said that the soldiers were beheaded for any charge in the battle- field.15 Volume 9, Issue 1, January 2020 654 http://adalyajournal.com/ ADALYA JOURNAL ISSN NO: 1301-2746 Originally the main war weapons of Ahom were swords, flat spears, dagger, bows and arrows.