In the tumultuous era of 12th-century India, marked by relentless warfare and incursions by foreign invaders, Maharaja Prithu emerged as a beacon of courage and resilience in the northeastern region of Kamarupa, present-day Assam. Amidst the onslaught of Muslim sultans from Afghanistan, Prithu’s valiant defence of his kingdom has often been overshadowed by the narrative of left historians, yet his legacy as one of the most formidable Hindu rulers remains indelible. March 27, 2024, marks the 818th anniversary (13th day of Chaitra, saka 1127, CE 1206) of Kamrupa ruler Prithu’s victory, against the marauding troops of the fanatic Bakhtiyar Khilji.
Dr. Raktim Pator, Associate Professor, Center of Historical Studies at JNU, sheds light on the enigmatic figure of Maharaja Prithu in his book. Talking to “Organiser” Dr. Pator explains, “While some historians speculate about Prithu’s ethnic origins, with theories ranging from Kirat to Hindu Bodo tribe, his unwavering commitment to protecting his realm transcends scholarly debates. Notably, when Bakhtiyar Khalji, the Turkish leader, attempted to extend his dominion into Kamarupa in 1203, Prithu’s forces dealt a decisive blow, thwarting the invader’s ambitions and affirming the sovereignty of his Hindu Bodo house.
Renowned historian Kankalal Barua chronicles Prithu’s reign from approximately 1200 AD to 1228 AD, marked by three successive Muslim invasions. During Bakhtiar Khilji’s assault, Prithu, also known as Visvasundardev, displayed exceptional military prowess, inflicting a crushing defeat on the invader’s forces. The triumph of Kamarupa over the foreign aggressor is immortalised in the “Kanai Barasi Bowa” inscription at North Guwahati, a testament to Prithu’s valour and leadership.
According to historian Soniti Kumar Chaterjee, Bakhtiyar Khalji, in 1203, ventured into Assam/Kamarupa with an invading army. However, his ambitions were swiftly quelled as the Assam’s ruling house, evidently a Hindu Bodo lineage, dealt a resounding defeat to the foreign aggressor.
Dr. Pator’s assertions shed light on the pervasive influence of historical distortion perpetuated by leftist historians, which obscured many significant events in India’s past from public consciousness. Their narratives often downplayed or omitted the valiant resistance against Muslim invasions, depriving the populace of accounts of glorious victories. Among these hidden triumphs stands the heroic defence led by King Prithu of Kamrup against the incursion of Bakhtiar Khilji. Despite concerted efforts to obscure his valour and prowess, Prithu’s indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to safeguarding his kingdom’s sovereignty endure as a testament to the resilience of Hindu rulers in the face of external threats.
Dr. Pator’s research sheds light on Bakhtiar Khilji’s conquests and the ensuing impact on Bengal and beyond. Following the destruction of Nalanda and other significant sites, Bakhtiar swiftly established Muslim rule in Bengal after defeating King Laxmansen of the Sen dynasty. This victory marked the beginning of a period characterised by the replacement of monasteries with mosques under Bakhtiar’s rule. Subsequently, Bakhtiar embarked on an ambitious expedition in late 1205, aiming to conquer Tibet and Southeast Asia through Kamrup. Prithu, the king of Kamrup at the time, employed various tactics to allow Bakhtiar’s army to advance towards the eastern mountains, including the strategic use of a stone bridge over the Barnadi River. Dr. Pator’s field studies have identified this bridge along the Chanchari-Maneri road in Kamrup district, with local accounts attributing its construction to King Narakasura of Kamarupa. The discovery of fragments from the bridge underscores its historical significance and highlights the importance of preserving such artefacts for future generations to better understand the region’s rich heritage.
According to Minhaj Chiraj, following a strenuous 15-day journey from the stone bridge, Bakhtiar Khilji’s forces encountered a town nestled amidst mountains. Fatigued and weary, the Muslim forces resorted to violence, indiscriminately attacking the local inhabitants through acts of killing, rape, and plunder. However, their aggression triggered a swift and fierce retaliation from the indigenous tribal population, resulting in heavy casualties among Bakhtiar’s troops. The ferocity of the counterattack left Bakhtiar and his officers thoroughly demoralized. In a desperate bid to salvage the situation, Bakhtiar interrogated a captured local resident, learning of an impending reinforcement of 50,000 soldiers from Karmapartam (Kumarikata) on the plains the next day. Faced with the prospect of further bloodshed and overwhelming opposition, Bakhtiar’s already shaken soldiers capitulated, conceding defeat and initiating their retreat under the cover of darkness. This anecdote serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities and consequences of military campaigns in unfamiliar territories, where cultural, geographical, and strategic factors often intersect with devastating outcomes.
Dr. Pator said, the strategic brilliance of Maharaja Prithu’s preparations played a pivotal role in thwarting Bakhtiar Khilji’s advances. As Bakhtiar’s defeated forces retreated to the plains, they encountered a landscape transformed by Prithu’s calculated manoeuvres. Entire forests were razed, villages evacuated, and crucial resources depleted, leaving Bakhtiar’s army vulnerable to starvation and thirst. Prithu’s foresight inflicted significant attrition upon Bakhtiar’s ranks, with horses and skilled soldiers succumbing to the harsh conditions. Minhaj Chiraj recounts the harrowing journey of the hungry and exhausted soldiers, resorting to consuming raw horse meat to survive, only to face further ambushes by Kamrupi forces. The culmination of Prithu’s stratagems unfolded at the bridge over the Barnadi River, where his forces not only slew the Muslim guards but also rendered the bridge impassable, trapping Bakhtiar’s army on the wrong side. Despite desperate attempts to construct boats, intensified attacks by the Kamrupi army forced Bakhtiar to seek refuge in the Madan Kamdev Temple near Baihata Chariali. This ironic twist, where the destroyer of temples sought sanctuary within their hallowed walls, underscores the inexorable turn of fortune. Prithu’s decision to encircle the temple with bamboo poles and personally oversee the situation exemplifies his astute leadership and adherence to principles of war, sparing Bakhtiar’s forces from direct assault while ensuring their containment.
Bakhtiar Khilji’s saga of defeat and downfall in Kamrup serves as a poignant testament to the unpredictability of warfare and the resilience of indigenous resistance. Faced with hunger and desperation, Bakhtiar’s once formidable army splintered, torn between seeking refuge within the temple’s sanctum and fleeing in search of survival. Amidst internal discord, a daring escape attempt ensued, culminating in a desperate bid to cross the treacherous river. However, the valiant warriors of Kamrup, undeterred by the spectre of the invader’s former glory, unleashed a relentless barrage of arrows, exacting a heavy toll upon Bakhtiar’s retreating forces. Many perished in the unforgiving currents, while Bakhtiar himself, a shadow of his former self, managed to limp his way to Devkot, his spirit broken and his health failing. Historian Jadunath Sarkar’s accounts offer a poignant insight into Bakhtiar’s mental anguish and the ignominious end that awaited him. The families of fallen soldiers, embittered by Bakhtiar’s failures, condemned him as a coward, foreshadowing the final chapter of his tumultuous reign. Ultimately, Bakhtiar Khilji’s demise at the hands of Ali Mardan Khilji marked the culmination of a tragic saga, while Maharaja Prithu’s resolute defence of Kamrup emerged as a beacon of resistance against the tide of Muslim conquest, safeguarding the region and beyond from the spectre of subjugation. In thwarting Bakhtiar’s ambitions, Prithu not only preserved the autonomy of Kamrup, but also played a pivotal role in safeguarding East Asia and China from the encroaching shadows of the Islamic Empire, explains Dr. Raktim Pator.
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