The Naval Battle of Saraighat

The Battle of Saraighat was the final battle of the Mughal Empire's last major attempt to expand its empire into Assam. The Battle was a naval battle fought between the Mughals led by Raja Ramsingh I and the Ahom kingdom led by Lachit Borphukan on the Brahmaputra River near Saraighat in 1671.

The Lachit Borphukan statue by the Brahmaputra River commemorates the victory of Ahoms over the Mughals at the Battle of Saraighat in 1671. (Source: Chalohoppo)

The Kingdom of Ahom, located in the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam, ruled from 1228 to 1826 and resisted Mughal expansion for 600 years. Despite occasional attacks, the Ahoms never surrendered control to the Mughals. The conflict began in 1616 and ended in 1682 with the final battle at Itakhuli. Ahom's influence extended to the Manas River until the British arrived in 1826. However, one battle, in particular, stands out in the history of the Ahom Kingdom: the Battle of Saraighat.

The Battle of Saraighat is an epic tale of bravery, heroism, and determination that has come to define the spirit of the people of Assam. It is a story of a small kingdom standing up against the might of a powerful empire, and emerging victorious against all odds. This historic battle fought in the Brahmaputra River in 1671 between the Mughal Empire and the Ahom Kingdom, changed the course of history for the Ahoms. The victory at Saraighat not only secured the Ahom Kingdom's sovereignty but also marked a turning point in Indian history, inspiring generations to come.

The Battle of Saraighat started when Lachit Borphukan’s army won back the Guwahati in 1667 and then stopped the advances of the Mughals in the Alaboi Battle of 1669. Upon learning of Guwahati's defeat, Emperor Aurangzeb sent a strong army of 30,000 soldiers and 18,000 cavalries led by Raja Ram Singh to capture the region.

In March 1671, Raja Ram Singh launched a massive naval attack on the Ahom forces at Saraighat. His admiral Munawar Khan led the attack. The Ahoms were in dire need of help as they had not yet recovered from the losses at Alaboi and Lachit was seriously ill.

The skirmish, in which the Mughals had a technological as well as numerical advantage, initiated the retreat of the Ahom army. To rally his wavering forces, Lachit asked to be put on his boat despite his condition. Loudly declaring that it would be better to die in duty than to flee, Lachit advanced on the Mughal army. The Ahom army's small boats proved important in hand-to-hand combat because the large Mughal boats with cannons could not react fast enough to engage them. A brawl soon broke out between the two coalitions and Munawar Khan, the Mughal Empire admiral was killed.

This and the loss of other prominent officers forced the Mughals into a hasty retreat. Ram Singh's army was forced to withdraw as the Mughals lost the elite of their forces in the Battle of the River. The Mughals were pursued to the Manas River, where Lachit stopped his army to consolidate their interests. The arrival of Lachit Borphukan transformed his Ahom soldiers, resulting in a decisive victory. The Battle of Saraighat ended when Ram Singh left for Rangamati.

The Battle of Saraighat remains a testament to the indomitable spirit of the people of Assam. The bravery and determination displayed by Lachit Borphukan and his soldiers still inspire generations, and the memory of their sacrifice continues to evoke deep emotions in the hearts of the people. This historic battle is a reminder that even against overwhelming odds, courage and conviction can triumph. It is a story of resilience and triumph in the face of adversity, a legacy that lives on in the hearts and minds of the people of Assam.

Greatest Battle ever fought on a river. (Source: Indian Express)