The military importance of North Guwahati at the Battle of Saraighat

Battle of Saraighat

শৰাইঘাটৰ যুদ্ধত উত্তৰ গুৱাহাটীৰ সামৰিক গুৰুত্ব

During the period from 1663 to 1671, Ahom Swargadeos (kings) Jayadhwaj Singha, Chakradhwaj Singha, and Udayaditya Singha experienced great agony.

They had the most trying, uneasy times under Mughal’s conduct. The Swargadeos even could not eat a morsel of food peacefully.

All preparations to undo the terms of the treaty at “Ghilajari Ghat” were undertaken with determination and proper planning. This effort culminated in the highly successful Battle of Saraighat in 1671.

General Lachit Barphukan led the battle, receiving wise guidance from Prime Minister Atan Buragohain stationed in Guwahati by the Swargadeo to support Lachit’s efforts. This collaboration contributed significantly to their success in the battle.

During wartime, Atan Buragohain made his Headquarters in North Guwahati Hill.

যুদ্ধকালীন সময়ত, অটন বুৰাগোহাইনে উত্তৰ গুৱাহাটী পাহাৰত মুখ্য কাৰ্যালয় নিৰ্মাণ কৰিছিল।

Aurangzeb, the Mughal Emperor in Delhi, sent a powerful force under the command of Mirza Raja Ramsing to reconquer Assam.

In 1669, a well-trained and well-equipped force, including infantry, artillery, swordsmen, and navy, arrived at Hajo. Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur and five pairs of disciples were also part of this expedition.

They aimed to neutralize the so-believed ‘black magic’ of Assam and establish Mughal authority in the region.

From 1669 to 1671, Ramsing employed diplomacy to persuade Lachit Barphukan to withdraw to Ahom territory. Ramsing achieved this by offering to hand over Guwahati to the Mughals. This game plan made by Ramsing demoralize and destabilize (The Battle Site as of Today)

The Assamese strength allowed Lachit Barphukan to create a well-demarcated fighting zone in a triangular location. This strategic area was situated between Kamakhya, Aswaklanta (North Guwahati), and Itakhuli hill (Sukreswar) on the Brahmaputra River bed.

The War Zone

A war zone spanning approximately 15 miles by 20 miles along both banks of the Brahmaputra River was fully prepared. It aimed to confront the enemy strategically in their chosen location for tactical advantage.

Lachit planned the battle, as it appeared, to fight from an offensive as well as a defensive position. He also distributed responsibilities to eighteen of his subordinate’s generals in their own respective zones.

During the desired battle, Lachit commanded despite his ill health in the expected zones of the fighting field. The victory came as bound to be and the Mughal fighting forces withdrawn.