Bakhtiyar Khilji’s infamous legacy reverberates through history due to his brutal and fanatical actions during the Invasion on Kamrup. With relentless ferocity, he devastated significant parts of India, inflicting irreparable damage upon Indian civilization. His ruthless campaign involved looting, pillaging, and the desecration of temples, leaving a trail of destruction. Notably, he even targeted the ancient Indian university, Nalanda, marking a dark chapter in the Invasion on Kamrup’s history.
However, few Indians are aware of King Prithu of Assam, belonging to the Khen dynasty, who dealt a devastating blow to Khilji. In such a manner that the Afghan invader never engaged in another battle and eventually succumbed to depression, passing away years later after being humiliated by this great Indian hero. It can be said that King Prithu of Assam played a significant role in defeating Bakhtiyar Khilji, albeit indirectly.
It is indeed ironic that Indian history often emphasizes the invaders and destructors of the country, overshadowing the heroic figures like King Prithu of Assam, who played a crucial role in saving the region. The story of this legendary battle that unfolded in present-day Assam is one that protected the Indian Northeast from Islamic invaders.
Background of the battle: Bloodthirsty Khilji and the Durga worshiper Prithu
In the 12th century, the Afghan military chief Bakhtiyar Khilji ruthlessly raided and captured Bihar, causing devastation to the renowned Odantapuri University. The library, set ablaze during the raid, burned for three months, resulting in significant loss of knowledge. Subsequently, he targeted and destroyed Vikramshila University, annihilating an estimated nine million manuscripts. In 1204, Khilji also captured Nadia, gaining control over Bengal. His actions left a deep and tragic impact on the cultural and intellectual heritage of the region.
Khilji’s long march to Kamrupa (Assam)
In 1206, Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khilji, after capturing Bengal, set his sights on invading Kamrupa and Tibet. With an army comprising 12,000 Turkish cavalry, Khilji led his troops from Devkot in West Bengal towards Assam and Tibet. During his march, he converted a local tribal chief to Islam and gave him the new name “Ali the Mej.”
Ali, now a trusted guide, led Khilji for nearly ten days until they reached a massive stone bridge spanning the River Barandi on the outskirts of Kamrupa. Khilji left two commanders in charge of guarding the bridge while he and his army proceeded towards Kamrupa. King Prithu of Assam, the ruler of Kamrupa, was well aware of the impending threat and decided to employ a Scorched Earth Policy to counter the invading forces.
The Scorched Earth Policy is a military strategy designed to eliminate all potential resources that could be beneficial to the enemy. This involves destroying assets like food resources, agricultural lands, and water resources. The primary objective of this policy is to deprive and weaken the enemy’s soldiers by starving and dehydrating them.
Main Battle: Invaders vs Natives
After several days of marching, Khilji’s army finally reached Kamrupa, a densely populated area surrounding a formidable fort. Upon arrival, Khilji wasted no time and immediately ordered his troops to commence raiding the nearby village.
However, King Prithu, together with his army and the support of various tribal communities like Bodo, Koch Rajbongshi, and Keot, launched a fierce and deadly charge towards Khilji’s army. The combined forces of the tribal community effectively halted Khilji’s advance and wreaked havoc on the Muslim army.
Due to the long disruption of their supply lines and the soldiers’ exhaustion and thirst, the situation turned dire for Khilji and his men. The first day of the battle proved to be a complete nightmare for the Turkish invaders, resulting in many of Khilji’s soldiers being taken as prisoners.
As the battle was set to resume the next day, Khilji received news that King Prithu’s army would receive additional reinforcements in the morning. Faced with the prospect of a reinforced enemy, the already wounded Khilji made a crucial decision to retreat that same night.
During his retreat, King Prithu relentlessly pursued Khilji’s army, causing heavy casualties and loss of life among the retreating soldiers. While a few hundred soldiers managed to escape with Khilji, their route was thwarted as King Prithu’s tribal soldiers destroyed the stone bridge they intended to cross. The defeat was a significant blow to Khilji’s ambitions, and the heroism and tenacity of King Prithu and the tribal communities were instrumental in repelling the invaders and safeguarding Kamrupa.
In the face of the destruction of the stone bridge, the surviving Turkish soldiers, along with Khilji, were left with no choice but to attempt to swim across the river to reach the other side. Tragically, many soldiers met their demise, drowning to the riverbed and remaining there as a haunting reminder of the fierce battle.
Despite the heavy losses, Khilji managed to survive the perilous swim along with only a few hundred men. They eventually made their way to Bengal, marking the end of their ill-fated campaign in Kamrupa. The battle’s outcome had taken a toll on Khilji’s forces, leaving a lasting impact on the course of history.
Aftermath of the battle of Kamrupa & how King Prithu of Assam has been forgotten in History books
After suffering a devastating defeat, Bakhtiyar Khilji fell into depression and refrained from leading any further campaigns. Ultimately, he met his demise through assassination by his own general, Ali Mardan.
During Khilji’s plunder of Nalanda University, he mercilessly killed numerous monks and scholars. In contrast, King Prithu followed the principle of dharmayudh even in victory. Thousands of Khilji’s soldiers were taken as prisoners of war by Prithu, but instead of mistreating them, he provided them with necessary resources for a dignified living and allowed them to settle in Assam. This marked the beginning of Islamic settlements in the region.
The irony lies in the fact that while most Indians are familiar with the foreign invader Khilji, the destroyer of Indian civilization, who has been romanticized in history books by leftist-Marxist “historians” of modern India, King Prithu of Assam and numerous other heroes from different parts of the country are neglected in the discussions. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that these stories are spread, and Indians are made aware of the REAL heroes of our forgotten Indian history, inspiring a sense of pride in our heritage.
After suffering a devastating defeat, Bakhtiyar Khilji fell into depression and refrained from leading any further campaigns. Ultimately, he met his demise through assassination by his own general, Ali Mardan.
During Khilji’s plunder of Nalanda University, he mercilessly killed numerous monks and scholars. In contrast, King Prithu followed the principle of dharmayudh even in victory. Thousands of Khilji’s soldiers were taken as prisoners of war by Prithu, but instead of mistreating them, he provided them with necessary resources for a dignified living and allowed them to settle in Assam. This marked the beginning of Islamic settlements in the region.
The irony lies in the fact that while most Indians are familiar with the foreign invader Khilji, the destroyer of Indian civilization, who has been romanticized in history books by leftist-Marxist “historians” of modern India, King Prithu of Assam and numerous other heroes from different parts of the country are neglected in the discussions. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that these stories are spread, and Indians are made aware of the REAL heroes of our forgotten Indian history, inspiring a sense of pride in our heritage.
Also Read:- https://www.borthakursiasacademy.com/blog/ahom-kingdom-all-the-rulers/