The history of medieval Assam is marked by significant events and powerful figures that shaped the region. After the fall of the Pala dynasty in the early 12th century, the once-mighty kingdom of Kamarupa began to disintegrate. During this period, a class of officials responsible for revenue collection, known as the “Bhuyans,” gained significant power. These landlords often acted as independent rulers, controlling territories and exercising political authority. A lineage of kings ruled in Assam until the mid-13th century, after which the Bhuyans emerged as dominant forces.
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Two Major Developments in the 13th Century
The early 13th century witnessed two key developments in Assam’s history. First, there were frequent invasions from the west, led by the Turko-Afghan rulers of Bengal. Second, the Tai-Shans, who later came to be known as the Ahoms, established a kingdom in the southeastern Brahmaputra Valley.
Muhammad-bin-Bakhtiyar Khalji’s Invasion of Assam (1205-06)
Muhammad-bin-Bakhtiyar Khalji, a governor under Qutb-ud-din Aibak, was a powerful leader in medieval India. In 1202, he captured Bengal without a fight. Encouraged by this, he decided to expand his territory further east, aiming for Assam, Tibet, and beyond.
In 1205, Bakhtiyar started his journey with an army of 10,000-12,000 horsemen. He took help from a local tribal chief, Ali Mech, who guided him through the areas of the Koch, Mech, and Tharo tribes. After crossing a large stone bridge, Bakhtiyar entered Assam, ruled at the time by King Prithu.
Resistance in Assam
As Bakhtiyar’s soldiers looted villages, the local people fought back fiercely. This forced Bakhtiyar to retreat.
The Failed Retreat
The retreat became a disaster. Roads were blocked, food supplies cut off, and local forces attacked the army. When Bakhtiyar tried to return over the stone bridge, he found it broken. Trapped, he hid in a temple, but the king’s forces surrounded him.
In a desperate escape attempt, Bakhtiyar tried to cross a river, but many of his soldiers drowned. Only a few survived, including Bakhtiyar, who returned to Bengal and died soon after.
Ghiyasuddin Iwaz Khalji’s Invasion (1227 AD)
Ghiyasuddin Iwaz Khalji, the governor of Bengal under Sultan Iltutmish, led the second invasion of Kamarupa (Assam) in 1227 AD. According to historical records, Iwaz advanced as far as Nagaon. However, before he could continue his campaign, he learned that Iltutmish’s son, Nasiruddin, had invaded Bengal.
Iwaz rushed back to defend Bengal but was defeated and executed by Nasiruddin. After taking control of Bengal, Nasiruddin killed the Kamarupa king, Prithu, and placed a new king, Sandhya, on the throne. Sandhya agreed to pay an annual tribute to Bengal.
Defeat of Tughril Khan
During the spring harvest season, the Kamarupa king created an artificial flood by cutting dykes around the Muslim camp. This caused massive destruction and forced Tughril Khan to retreat. As the invaders fled, the Kamarupa king attacked them, killing Tughril Khan and defeating his army. Only a few soldiers managed to return to Bengal.
Sandhya’s Reign and Legacy
After these events, Sandhya moved his capital from Kamarupanagar to Kamatapur, near present-day Cooch Behar. He took the title Kamateswara (Lord of Kamata). His successors included Sindhu Rai, Rup Narayan, and Singhadhvaj. Singhadhvaj’s reign ended when his minister, Pratapdhvaj, killed him.
Dharmanarayan and Durlabhnarayan
After King Pratapdhvaj died, his cousin Dharmanarayan became king. But Durlabhnarayan, the king’s son, was the rightful heir. To end the dispute, they split the kingdom around 1330 AD.
- Durlabhnarayan got the northern and eastern parts, including Kamatapur.
- Dharmanarayan kept the rest, including Rangpur and Mymensingh.
Cultural Contributions
Durlabhnarayan asked Dharmanarayan to send 14 Brahmana and Kayastha families to his kingdom. One of them, Kayastha Chandivar, was the ancestor of Srimanta Sankardeva. Chandivar settled at Bordowa.
Durlabhnarayan supported literature. His court had great poets like:
- Hema Saraswati, writer of Prahlad Charit.
- Ram Saraswati, writer of Jayadratha Vadha.
- Harihar Vipra, writer of Babrubahanar Yudha.
Sikandar Shah’s Expedition (1362 AD)
Indranarayan, the ruler of Kamata and son of Durlabhnarayan, faced a major challenge during his reign when Sultan Sikandar Shah of Bengal launched a military campaign against Assam. Despite resistance from the local rulers, including the Bhuyans, Sikandar Shah’s forces advanced into the Kapili Valley in Nagaon District. However, the Sultan had to abandon his campaign midway and return to Bengal after his overlord, Firoz Shah Tughlaq, faced an attack there.
Rise of Arimatta
The inability of Indranarayan to effectively resist the invasion allowed the Bhuyans to rise in prominence. Among them, a powerful leader named Arimatta (also known as Sasanka) became ambitious and overthrew Indranarayan, seizing the throne of Kamata. Arimatta, believed to be the son of a Bhuyan from the Darrang region, established his authority after defeating rival Bhuyans. He ruled Kamata for around 20 years (1365–1385 AD). After his death, the kingdom fell into disarray due to weak successors, leading to a period of chaos and power struggles among the Bhuyans.
The Khen Dynasty
A leader named Niladhvaj Khen brought the Bhuyans together and started the Khen dynasty. The dynasty had three kings:
1. Niladhvaj Khen: The founder.
2. Chakradhaj Khen: Defeated an attack by Bengal’s Sultan Barbak Shah.
3. Nilambar Khen: Expanded Kamata into Bengal.
Alauddin Hussain Shah’s Invasion (1498 AD)
The Khen dynasty ended when Sultan Alauddin Hussain Shah of Bengal attacked Kamata. His army defeated Nilambar, destroyed the capital, and took control of the land up to Hajo. He made his son Daniel the new ruler.
The Bhuyans Fight Back
The Bhuyans united and attacked Daniel’s army. They defeated his forces and ended Muslim rule in Kamata. The Bhuyans ruled until the Koch dynasty rose around 1515 AD.
Legacy of the Period
During the invasion, Alauddin’s general Ghiyasuddin built a mosque at Hajo. This mosque, called Poa-Mecca (one-fourth of Mecca), is a holy place for local Muslims even today.
Also Read: The Varman Dynasty of Assam: History, Culture, and Legacy
Assam’s history and it’s cultural heritage!