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Home , Ahom Kingdom, Assam, Paik system, Saraighat, Suhungmung

ADALYA JOURNAL ISSN NO: 1301-2746

The Military System of of Medieval : A Historical Analysis

Mr. Monjit Gogoi

Assistant Professor (Contractual)

Department of History

Tihu College, , 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 as well as . 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 in the first half of thirteenth century under the leadership of Sukapha had established an empire in by uniting the ancient Kamrup and Kamrup Kamata and other tribes which

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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 . 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

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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 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 to the Ahom state. The vast forest area as well as humid climate of the state facilitated –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 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

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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, , Jaipur, .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 . 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 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

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Originally the main war weapons of Ahom were swords, flat spears, dagger, bows and arrows. However, gradually some more sophisticated weapons like artillery came into being. Ahom soldiers used missiles for long distance attack and there were bows and arrows in their missiles. Before the annexation of Bhuyan and Chutia territory they used the Karphai Dhenu (a large bow) but after the annexations of Bhuyan and Chutia territory they collected and used Chutia Dhenu and Bardhenu. Moreover, during war Ahom used Hiloi (matchlocks).16 According to Hiteswar Barbarua, the author of book Ahomar Din, there were eleven types of matchlocks and five types of Bartup (big cannon) of Ahom. Gathia hiloi, Jambur hiloi, Ramsangi hiloi, Saru hatnalia hiloi, Kamayan hiloi, Khuka hiloi, Basarai hiloi etc were the names of matchlocks whereas Biyagum bartup, Hatimuria bartup, Tubuki bartup, Mithahulung, Baghmara tup were the big cannon of Ahom army. Ahom king Dihingia got the Mithahulung matchlocks from Chutia kingdom.17

This is a debatable issue among the historian regarding the date of introduction of fire- arm in Assam. It is generally believed that it was developed in Assam since the time of Turbak’s invasion in 1532. However, local Assamese chronicles show that the use of fire-arm had already been developed in Assam long before the Turbak’s invasion and after defeating the Chutiyas, Ahom confiscated 69 fire-arms. There was an officer called Khargharia Phukon who looked after the manufacture of fire-arm gun-powder.18

In this context it is to be mentioned that the cannonry and gunnery were not open to all rather it were restrictricted to professionals, hilaidars (musketters). Similarly, there was also Konwar-hilaidars which were consisting of Ahom princes. Again according to the age Konwar- hilaidars can be divided into two groups. The older group which was under Hilaidari Phukon was known as Bajua Hilaidari Konwars whereas the younger group which was under a Hilaidari was called Bhitarual Hilaidari Konwars. Apart from these two groups there was another group of musketters which was formed by the Nara inhabitants of Assam was known as Nara- Hilaidaris.19

Apart from above mentioned military skills of Ahom they were very sound in diplomatic strategies. Moreover, the existence of spy system during the time of peace and war was another practice of Ahom military administration. The existence of spies in different places of kingdom was based on military capability. Therefore, like other kingdom of the country the information

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provided by the spices helped the Ahom military administration in their strategy making process.20

Conclusion: In the above discussion it has been noticed that Ahom had a well organized and efficient military system which helped the kingdom during its prolonged rule in Assam. This military strength of Ahom Kingdom has been appreciated by the Persian chronicle writers in their works. Although an efficient military system had been existed in the Ahom Kingdom since the time of its establishment however, the acquisition of new states as well development of Paik system provided the needed strength to the military administration of Ahom. This well equipped and disciplined Ahom military could challenge and defeated the strong Mughal power for many times. Therefore, the Ahom military system can be considered as a powerful and disciplined military system in the military .

Notes and References:

1. Nath, Dambarudhar, Asom , Arun Prakashan, , 2009, p. 115. 2. Gait, Sir, Edward, A History of Assam, E.B.H. Publisher, Guwahati, 2008, p. 80. 3. Bhuyan, Suryya Kumar, Anglo-Assamese relation, Lawyers Book Stall, Guwahati, p. 3-5. 4. Bhuyan, Suryya Kumar, Atan Buragohain and His Times, Lawyers Book Stall, Guwahati, p. 57. 5. Acharyya, N.N., The History of Medieval Assam, Western Book Depot, Guwahati, 1984, pp. 116-117. 6. Bhuyan, H.K., The Comprehensive History of Assam, Publication Board Assam, Guwahati, 2007, p. 65. 7. Bhuyan, Suryya Kumar, Studies in the History of Assam, Omsons Publication, New , p. 154. 8. Bhuyan, H.K., The Comprehensive History of Assam, Publication Board Assam, Guwahati, 2007, p. 68. 9. Borbaruah, Hiteswar, Ahomar Din, Publication Board Assam, Guwahati, 1981, p. 448. 10. Bhuyan, H.K., The Comprhehensive History of Assam, Publication Board Assam, Guwahati, p 68. 11. Baruah, S.L., A Comprehensive History of Assam, Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers, New Delhi, 1986, pp. 396-397.

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12. Bhuyan, H.K., op.cit., 2007, p. 69. 13. Borbaruah, Hiteswar, op.cit.,1981, p. 448. 14. Bhuyan, H.K, op.cit., 2007, p.71. 15. Acharyya, N.N., op.cit., 1984,p. 121 16. Bhuyan, H.K., op.cit., 2007, p.73. 17. Borbaruah, Hiteswar, op.cit.,1981, pp. 449-450. 18. Baruah, S.L.,1986, p. 397. 19. Bhuyan, H.K., op.cit., 2007, p. 74. 20. Bhyan, Suryya Kumar, Atan Buragohain and his times, Guwahati, 1957, pp. 72-73.

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