Koch–Ahom relations

The Koch–Ahom relations^[1] (1532–1571) refer to the diplomatic, strategic and military relationships between the Koch and the Ahom kingdoms over the control of the Brahmaputra Valley. Though an initial contact between the Ahoms and Koch occurred during Biswa Singha's reign, the relationship became belligerent with Nara Narayana ascending to power and consolidating his hold over the western portion of Assam; and it ended with the failure of Chilarai's campaign against Sulaiman Karrani. This was followed by an alliance that soon gave way to a fierce conflict between the Ahoms and the Mughals.

Koch–Ahom Conflicts
Date 1543–1571 Location Assam
Belligerents
Ahom Kingdom	Koch dynasty
Commanders and leaders
Suhungmung Suklenmung Sukhaamphaa	Biswa Singha Nara Narayan Chilarai

Early contacts

Following the rout of Turbak by the Ahoms in about 1532, the Ahom army under Tonkham Buragohain pursued the remnant of the army and reached the Karatoya river; and after establishing a relationship with the Bengal Sultan confronted Biswa Singha, the Koch king, on the way back.^[2] Biswa Singha (r. 1515–1540), on the advice of his ministers, made peace and accepted the status of being a protectorate with an annual tribute of horses; and in return was gifted the land west of Sankosh the Ahoms had received as dowry from the Sultan.^[3]

Biswa Singha was initially regular in payments, but after having consolidated his newly established rule decided to invade the Ahom kingdom instead. In 1537 he advanced up to Singari, in Nagaon district, but had to give up his ambitions due to problems in supplying his forces^[4]—subsequently he and his brother attended the court of Suhungmung in the winter of that year.^[5]

Koch and Ahom successions

Biswa Singha died some time after visiting the court of Suhungmung, and his son Nara Narayan established himself a few years later after a probable succession battle with another son named Nara Singha.^[6] Following the example of his father, Nara Narayan was assisted by his brother Sukladhwaj (also Chilarai) who was the Diwan (prime minister) as well as the commander-in-chief of the Koch army.^[7]

There was a succession issue in the Ahom kingdom as well when Suhungmung was assassinated in 1539 in a conspiracy hatched by his son Suklenmung who succeeded him.^[8]

Conflict

In 1543, Suklenmung drove away the Koch garrison guarding the eastern frontier of Koch kingdom at the north bank of Brahmaputra to Sola^[9] Soon after, three Koch princes, with a view of revenge, captured a boat belonging to an Ahom officer. A battle ensued, compelling the Ahoms to retreat. The renewal of hostilities in 1546 costed the lives of those three Koch princes and compelled Naranarayan to launch an expedition against the Ahom kingdom.^[10]

The Koches initially gained victory but soon were overturned by the Ahoms. After the completion of Gohain Kamal Ali^[a] in 1547, a fort was erected at Narayanpur. An attack was made by the Koches on the Ahoms encamping at Pichala fort, resulting in a disastrous defeat of the Koches with heavy losses.^[11] This battle is known Pichalapariya ran. Thence Ahoms recovered all their lost tracts on their western frontier.^[12]

Following this, there was a lull in the conflicts. Naranarayan realized the need for friendship, and envoys were sent to the Ahom court in June-July, 1555. He himself wrote a letter to then Ahom king Sukhampha (r. 1552–1603) about his desire for cordial relations. Ahoms didn't accord the Koches any warm messages but were rather disparaging.^[13][b] Conflicts were renewed in 1562. The Koches under the command of Shukladhwaja alias Chilarai marched against the Ahoms at the head of 60 thousand soldiers. Two prolonged invasions at both land and water were arranged.^[14] The Koch army on their way was joined by the Bhutias, Daflas and Bhuyans.^[15] They advancing army finally encamped near Jaria in Habung. Sukhampha aware of the religiosity of the Koches and their aversion from killing Brahmanas, sent his soldiers disguised as Brahmanas.^[16] The Koch soldiers withdrew at this sight, soon this stratagem was understood. In the meantime, the Koch fleet occupied Sala and Makaland and proceeded to Dikhowmukh. At several engagements, the Ahoms were routed. The Ahom king alarmed by the continuous setback, took flight for Charaikhorong in Naga Hills. This overally demoralized the people, many including nobles and princes joined the Koches. Meanwhile, Garhgaon (the Ahom capital) was also occupied.^[17]

The Ahom king was compelled to make peace negotiations with the Koch king. Envoys were sent and the treaty of Majuli was concluded.^[18] The conditions of that treaty were fulfilled in July-August, 1563 and the Koches withdrew. ^[19] Soon after, Ahoms adopted extensive preparations and vigorous measures to recover all the lost territories. On the contrary, the Koches too found it difficult to maintain overlordship over Ahoms by using force and arms. The Ahom counter-retaliation was met by a fresh Koch expedition. The Koch fleet under Tepu Barua was routed in 1565.^[20] In December-January 1571, the final Koch expedition was repulsed at Dhansiri.^[21]

Notes

1. Gohain Kamal Ali, an embanked road covering a distance of 350 miles stretching from Koch Behar to Narayanpur.
2. The Bargohain, who received the envoys at Garhgaon firmly and curtly told them incidents, which were natural among Kshatriyas i.e, in war. The Gohain not only criticized their etiquette but disparaged the Koch manners and customs.^[13]

References

1. Nath 1989, p. 50
2. "About 1532-3 the Ahoms under their commander-in-chief, Shankham or Tankham Ghar Sandikai Burgohain (appointed 1532) while returning from a victorious expedition after pursuit of the defeated forces of the erstwhile Gaur Commander, Turbak, up to the Karatoya, and establishment of friendship with the Sultan attacked Visva Simha." (Sarkar 1992:71)
3. "The Koch king thus wisely submitted and agreed to be "protected" (thapita sanchita) i.e.helped in time of difficulty" by the Ahom king, paying an annual tribute of horses. In return the General handed over to the Koch king the territories west of the Sankosh given as dowry by the Sultan of Bengal to the Ahom king and assured him of protection against enemies.(Sarkar 1992:71)
4. "Visva Simha was at first regular in his payment of tributes to Assam. But now conscious of his newly-gained power, he defaulted and felt himself strong enough to try to remove the disgrace of being a tributary. So he invaded the Ahom kingdom, sailing up the Brahmaputra up to Singri hill (e.e. Singari in Nagaon district). But he had to withdraw owing to the hardships of the journey and shortage of provisions (1537)."(Sarkar 1992:72)
5. "Subsequently, in the winter of 1537 Visva Simha and his brother personally visited the Ahom king to offer homage." (Sarkar 1992:72)
6. "Visva Simha's equally able and brilliant eldest son, Malla Gosain of Abul Fazl), succeeded him on his death after sometime as Nara Narayan,' and continued the former's work (1540-'87)." (Sarkar 1992:74); See also footnote: (Sarkar 1992:74f)
7. "Assisted by his younger brother, Sukladhwaj, an able and dashing military general, with the nickname 'Chilarai' or 'Kite Prince' as Diwan, Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief..." (Sarkar 1992:74)
8. "Suhungmung met his death in 1539 as a result of a conspiracy hatched by his eldest son Suklenmung..." (Baruah 1985:233)
9. Devi 1968, p. 213
10. Baruah 1985, p. 208
11. Baruah 1985, p. 208
12. Sarkar 1992, p. 76
13. Sarkar 1992, p. 76.
14. Devi 1968, p. 216–17
15. Nath 1989, p. 55
16. Nath 1989, p. 56
17. Sarkar 1992, p. 79
18. Barman 2007, p. 87
19. Nath 1989, p. 58
20. Barman 2007, p. 89
21. Sarkar 1992, p. 81–82

Bibliography

• Nath, D (1989), History of the Koch Kingdom: 1515-1615, Delhi: Mittal Publications
• Sarkar, J. N. (1992), "Early Rulers of Koch Bihar", in Barpujari, H. K. (ed.), The Comprehensive History of Assam, vol. 2, Guwahati: Assam Publication Board, pp. 69–89
• Baruah, S.L. (1985), A Comprehensive History of Assam, Munshiram Manoharlal
• Devi, Lakshmi (1968). Ahom-tribal Relations- A Political Study. Lawyer's Book Stall. p. 210–261.
• Barman, R. P. (2007), From tribalism to state : reflections on the emergence of Koch Kingdom (early fifteenth century to 1773), Delhi: Abhijeet publications