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Battle of Sualkuchi
Part of Ahom–Mughal wars
Sunset at Sualkuchi
Date 1636 Location Sualkuchi, Assam26°10′13″N 91°34′13″E / 26.1703°N 91.5703°E / 26.1703; 91.5703 Result Ahom victory Territorial changes The Ahoms liberated Kamarupa from the Mughal rule.
Belligerents
Ahom Kingdom	Mughal Empire
Commanders and leaders
Pratap Singha	Abdus Salam
Strength
10,000 men 60 ships	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	300 ships 160 swords 200 hand grenades
The Ahoms seized hundreds of ships, firearms, and treasures from the Mughals.
Battle of Sualkuchiclass=notpageimage| Location within South AsiaShow map of South AsiaBattle of SualkuchiBattle of Sualkuchi (Assam)Show map of Assam

The Battle of Sualkuchi was a crucial conflict in the Ahom-Mughal wars of 1636, marking the resumption of hostilities after a 21-year hiatus. This renewed conflict saw the Ahom kingdom, under King Pratap Singha, intensify efforts to reclaim Kamarupa from Mughal control. Following a decisive naval victory at Srighat, where the Ahoms dealt a crushing blow to the Mughal fleet, the Ahoms shifted their focus to Sualkuchi, a strategic Mughal stronghold.

With a reinforced army of 10,000 archers and matchlock men supported by a fleet of sixty large ships, the Ahoms launched a concerted attack on Sualkuchi. Despite initial resistance, the Mughals suffered heavy losses, including warships, transport boats, and significant casualties. The victory at Sualkuchi allowed the Ahoms to secure substantial spoils, including hundreds of ships, firearms, and valuable treasures.

This triumph set the stage for further Ahom advances, including the capture of Hajo and key fortified outposts along the Brahmaputra. The battle underscored the effectiveness of Ahom military strategy and their ability to reclaim territories from the Mughals, consolidating Ahom sovereignty over Kamarupa.

Background

The Ahom-Mughal wars resumed in 1636 after a hiatus of twenty-one years. During this interlude, the Ahom king provided political asylum to anti-Mughal factions and supported dissident chieftains and hill rulers of Kamrupa with manpower, finances, and military supplies, influencing the conflict indirectly. However, tensions escalated when Mughal subjects were killed in Ahom territory, and Pratap Singha refused to extradite Harikesh, a defector and defaulting Mughal fiscal officer. The Mughals dispatched a force to capture Harikesh, but it was defeated, prompting Pratap Singha to initiate an offensive into Mughal-controlled territory.

Pratap Singha formed alliances with frontier chiefs from Dimarua, Hojai, and Barduar and targeted Mughal forts, including Hajo. Several engagements resulted in Ahom victories, with the capture of significant booty, including 360 cannons and guns. In retaliation, Abdus Salam, the Mughal governor of Hajo, requested reinforcements from Dacca, which included 1,000 horsemen, 1,000 musketeers, and 210 war sloops. These reinforcements initially pushed the Ahoms back at Pandu and Srighat, forcing a temporary retreat.

The tide turned during the Battle of Srighat, where the Ahoms launched a surprise night attack with a fleet of 500 ships, decisively defeating the Mughal fleet. The death of Mughal officer Muhammad Salih and the capture of Majlis Bayazid dealt a severe blow to the Mughals. The Ahoms seized seven ghrabs, thirty bachharis, and extensive war supplies, forcing the Mughals to retreat to Sualkuchi. The victory allowed the Ahoms to reclaim their stronghold at Agiathuti.

Battle

Following the impressive naval victory at Srighat, Ahom king Pratap Singha aimed to liberate Kamarupa from Mughal control. His next target was Sualkuchi, where he deployed a reinforced army of 10,000 archers and matchlock men, supported by a fleet of sixty large ships.

The Mughals were unable to hold their position and suffered heavy losses, including numerous warships, transport boats, and significant casualties. The Ahoms secured substantial spoils from this campaign, which included 300 ships, 160 swords, various firearms (both large and small), 200 hand grenades, as well as gold and silver treasures.

Aftermath

Following the victory at Sualkuchi, the Ahom commander Barphukan, in alliance with Koch King Bali Narayan, advanced towards Hajo. The city was encircled by Ahom forces, leading to the surrender of Bengal's governor, Abdus Salam. The Ahoms seized a substantial cache of treasure, including 200 firearms (large and small), approximately 5,000 swords, 700 horses, and a collection of pearls and jeweled ornaments.

Subsequently, Bali Narayan, supported by 300 Koch and Assamese troops, captured Barnagar, a Mughal-aligned vassal state. He proceeded to attack Mughal outposts in the northwestern region of modern Kamarupa district, successfully occupying most of them.

During the ten months of sustained warfare from March to December 1636, the Ahoms and Kamarupa rebels achieved significant victories. Despite minor setbacks near Pandu and Srighat, the Ahoms captured all key fortified outposts along both banks of the Brahmaputra, including Hajo, Pandu, and Srighat. This series of successes solidified Ahom sovereignty over most of Kamarupa. The alliance with the Koch kingdom proved crucial in securing these victories against the Mughals.

See also

• Battle of Bharali
• Battle of Samdhara

References

Citations

1. ^ Nag 2023, p. 454.
2. Basu 1970, p. 32.
3. Lahiri (1991), pp. 26–28.
4. Shakespear 2012, p. 35.
5. ^ Basu 1970, p. 33.
6. Shakespear 2012, p. 36.
7. ^ Nag 2023, p. 455.

Bibliography

• Nag, Sajal (2023-07-17). The Mughals and the North-East: Encounter and Assimilation in Medieval India. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-000-90525-0.
• Basu, Nirmal Kumar (1970). Assam in the Ahom Age, 1228-1826: Being Politico-economic and Socio-cultural Studies. Sanskrit Pustak Bhandar.
• Shakespear, Leslie (2012-04-26). History of Upper Assam, Upper Burmah and North-Eastern Frontier. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-108-04607-7.
• Lahiri, Nayanjot (1991). Pre-Ahom Assam: Studies in the Inscriptions of Assam Between the Fifth and the Thirteenth Centuries AD. Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers. ISBN 978-81-215-0463-8.

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