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Agniveer® is serving Dharma since 2008. This initiative is NO WAY associated with the defence forces scheme launched by Indian Govt in 2022

UPI
agniveerupi@sbi,
agniveer.eazypay@icici

Agniveer® is serving Dharma since 2008. This initiative is NO WAY associated with the defence forces scheme launched by Indian Govt in 2022

The river of death

Date: Sometime in March 1671

Place: Brahmaputra River, Saraighat, Assam near Guwahati

Flashback

Assam was ruled by Ahoms during Mughal era around Delhi. Every Mughal invader from Akbar to Aurangzeb had a dream to conquer Assam. Ahoms were no ordinary mortals. They were famed for their bravery and art of war. The Ahom-Mughal conflicts were cut-throat. Sometimes massive Mughal armies would encroach into Ahom territory. And then Ahoms would push them back.

India has given rise to great legends, and also great traitors. These traitors helped Mughals get stronger and subdue Ahoms. In 1661, Mughals were able to capture the Ahom capital Garhgaon. However, Ahoms continued to bleed Mughals through guerrilla warfare. Eventually, Mughals and Ahom king reached a treaty. Mughals vacated the capital but forced Ahoms to send women and children including those from a royal family in Mughal harem, apart from other humiliating terms of the treaty.

The pacifist king Jaydhwaj Singh later died in grief. And Ahom morale collapsed. When Lachit Borphukan became the general in 1665, he had inherited a demoralised and untrained army with plenty of moles.

He set forth very high personal standards to enthuse the army.  He beheaded his own uncle for hesitating to perform his duty and risking Ahom security. This earned him the respect of soldiers and title of Bir (brave).

In next two years, a revamped Ahom army with training in modern and innovative war methods was ready to take on the Mughals. But some cracks and moles remained.

The Ahom army sailed to Guwahati and took it back from Mughals in 1667. This was followed by retaking of other important forts and destinations over next two years. Aurangzeb was furious. He sent a massive army of more than 70,000 to completely destroy Ahom empire.

The Mughal army reached Assam in 1669 and then the fight began. Ahoms were skilled in guerrilla warfare and navy. Mughals were strong on ground and plains. Both sides would force the other side to engage in their preferred locations to win. The battles continued for next two years.  Mughals used the age-old ploy of bribing traitors in Ahom army to win some strategic battles. They could also bring additional reinforcements. Gradually Mughals were having an upper hand.

Mughals had also strengthened their navy. By 1671, Mughals had a massive navy with huge ships. Ahoms had small boats.

The Ahom army was once again demoralised due to successive defeats in previous few battles. They had been forced to retreat till the edge of Guwahati. Lachit was severely ill and bed-ridden. Doctors were unable to find a cure and suggested end was imminent. Mughals knew this was the best time for final assault from the navy route.

Situation

Munawwar Khan, the Mughal admiral, is smoking hukkah (pipe) on his ship and fondling with the girl he brought on the ship. He can see Saraighat ahead of him. The Brahmaputra gets very narrow at Saraighat. If he can force his ships through Saraighat, Ahoms will have no more places to escape. Each Mughal ship has sixteen cannons. Victory is certain.

“I will have ten Ahom girls tonight. All from the royal family. We will destroy the Kamakhya temple tomorrow. Aurangzeb will promote me!” He kisses the girl he has brought with him.

Lachit’s trusted commanders enter his room. They want to discuss options for a graceful surrender.

Lachit throws away the blanket and shouts, ‘Safety of the nation is in my hands. Would I surrender like a coward and go back to wife and children?’

He orders seven war-boats. Jumps on one of them and commands others to follow him.

What happened next

Mughals are confused. The mist does not offer clear visibility. Suddenly they see a boat approaching them. They fire a cannon. It misses. The boat swiftly turns sideways but continues to approach them. There is another boat. And one more. And one more. Very fast. Following a zigzag path.

The first boats penetrate the Mughal zone. Mughal ships and cannons are unable to shoot this swift machine.

Meanwhile, Munawwar Khan stands up to dress up after the hookah. Reaches up to the girl to fondle for last time before Saraighat arrives and battle-time begins. The girl sees the swift machine behind Munawwar and raises the alarm. Munawwar turns back.

Lachit is on a boat in front of him. How did he come here? Before he could blink, a bullet passes through his forehead.

The Admiral of Mughal navy is dead.

And then

Lachit’s leadership by example has inspired the Ahoms. The seven boats he surged ahead with are followed by other boats. Swift, small, and agile. The massive, well-equipped but slow ships of Mughals are not prepared for this rapid-fire onslaught.

The boats surround the Mughals from all over.  And a bridge of boats is built across the Brahmaputra.

Munawwar is followed by three more top-ranking amirs to his journey to hell. And then, one Mughal soldier starts falling after another.

The Mughal forces are completely routed in this battle on the river. Four thousand die while others retreat back for life. 

Aftermath

This was the last Mughal experiment with navy. Within no time, entire Assam was freed of the Mughal rule. The heavy casualties destroyed the backbone of the Mughal rule. Elsewhere, Rajputs, Marathas, Sikhs and others were bleeding the Mughals.

Lachit’s died within a year due to the fatal illness. But before that, he had given a new life to the freedom movement of India.

That courage of Lachit to take on the Mughal fleet all alone sealed the fate of Mughals forever. Today, some Mughal princes are found begging on Guwahati Railway station. They still blame the curse of Kamakhya tantriks for what happened to them.

What Now

When you feel overwhelmed and hopeless, read this story to know what one Lachit could do all alone. And remember, freedom is not free.

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