About the Early Invasions of Assam — Bakhtiyar Khilji and the First Turkish Attacks
The medieval period of Assam opens, in a sense, with an invasion that never succeeded. In 1205-06 AD Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khalji — a Turkish general of the Ghurid dynasty serving under Qutb-ud-din Aibak of the Delhi Sultanate — marched into the ancient kingdom of Kamarupa (Kamrup). He came not as a conqueror who meant to settle and govern, but as a raider, and shortly before this campaign he had suffered a disastrous expedition towards Tibet. Entering through the Karia river route with only about 1000 cavalry, he hoped for a swift and profitable strike.
The king of Kamarupa at the time was Prithu. The attack was sudden, but he responded with strategy rather than panic: he gathered the help of allied neighbouring kings and met the invader with combined strength. The campaign ended in complete failure for Bakhtiyar, who was driven out of Kamrup and fled to Devkot in Bengal. There, in 1206, he was murdered by Ali Mardan Khalji. The whole episode survives in the Tabaqat-i-Nasiri of Minhaj-ud-din Siraj. It was the first Muslim/Turkish invasion of Assam, and the fact that it collapsed so thoroughly is why historians say Assam was saved from Muslim conquest at this stage.
The pressure did not end there. Around 1228 AD another general, Nasiruddin Mahmud (a son of Sultan Iltutmish), attacked Kamrup and forced king Sandhya to shift his capital — the event that leads directly into the emergence of the Kamata kingdom. Then, in 1257, an expedition led by a son of Ghiyasuddin Balban against Kamrup also failed. In other words, repeated Turkish attempts followed the first, but none of them managed to hold the Brahmaputra valley.
For exams, the invasion of Bakhtiyar Khilji is remembered as a turning point that did not turn: the first contact with Turkish power, the brave defence under Prithu, and the beginning of a long series of invasions launched from Bengal into Assam. The dates and names are few but they recur constantly, so they are worth fixing firmly in memory.
Main Facts about the Early Invasions of Assam (Quick Revision Bullets)
- Invader: Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khalji, a Turkish general of the Ghurid dynasty.
- Served under: Qutb-ud-din Aibak of the Delhi Sultanate.
- Date of invasion: 1205-06 AD.
- Earlier failure: an expedition towards Tibet.
- Route: entered through the Karia river.
- Force: about 1000 cavalry (not 10,000 — a common trap).
- King of Kamarupa: Prithu.
- Defeat: Prithu, with allied neighbouring kings, drove him out.
- Fled to: Devkot (in Bengal).
- Death: murdered at Devkot in 1206 by Ali Mardan Khalji.
- Source: Tabaqat-i-Nasiri, by Minhaj-ud-din Siraj.
- Significance: the first Muslim/Turkish invasion of Assam; it failed completely.
- Later attacks: Nasiruddin Mahmud (son of Iltutmish) around 1228; Balban's son in 1257.
Why the Early Invasions Matter for Assam Competitive Exams
This topic introduces the medieval period and the theme of invasion from Bengal, so it is a reliable source of factual questions. The trap most candidates fall into is numbers and names: the size of Bakhtiyar's force, who killed him and where, and the exact role of Prithu. Examiners also like to connect this invasion with the emergence of Kamata, since Nasiruddin Mahmud's attack is the reason Sandhya moved his capital.
How to Prepare the Early Invasions for Assam Exams
- Memorise the core facts. 1205-06, Karia river, 1000 cavalry, king Prithu, Devkot, 1206.
- Follow the sequence. Bakhtiyar (1205-06) → Nasiruddin Mahmud (1228) → Balban's son (1257).
- Know the source. The account comes from the Tabaqat-i-Nasiri of Minhaj-ud-din Siraj.
- Link forward. The 1228 attack pushes king Sandhya to shift his capital, founding Kamata.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khalji?
A Turkish general of the Ghurid dynasty who served under Qutb-ud-din Aibak of the Delhi Sultanate.
When did Bakhtiyar Khalji invade Assam and how was he defeated?
He invaded in 1205-06 AD and was defeated and driven out by king Prithu of Kamarupa with the help of allied neighbouring kings.
How many cavalrymen did Bakhtiyar Khalji bring?
About 1000 cavalry — the claim that he brought 10,000 is the incorrect statement tested in questions.
Which chronicle records the invasion?
The Tabaqat-i-Nasiri, written by Minhaj-ud-din Siraj.
What happened after the first invasion?
Nasiruddin Mahmud (son of Iltutmish) attacked Kamrup around 1228, forcing king Sandhya to shift his capital, and Balban's son led another failed expedition in 1257.