About the Battles of Saraighat and Itakhuli — Assam's Decisive Victories over the Mughals
The Battle of Saraighat was fought in 1671 near Guwahati, at a narrow stretch of the Brahmaputra river. It was primarily a naval battle between the Ahoms and the Mughals. The Ahom king was Udayaditya Singha (Tai name Sunyatphaa), and the Ahom forces were commanded by the legendary Lachit Borphukan, who led the defence heroically despite reportedly being ill. The Mughal army was led by Ram Singh, son of Raja Jai Singh I of the Amber (Jaipur) royal family, sent by the emperor Aurangzeb. Using small swift boats, the Ahoms destroyed the large Mughal fleet and won a decisive victory that saved Assam from Mughal occupation.
Lachit Borphukan died in 1672, about a year after the battle. His birth anniversary is commemorated every year as Lachit Divas on 24 November, and Saraighat is remembered as the greatest naval victory in the history of Assam. The Mughal plans to conquer Assam were abandoned after the defeat, and Ram Singh had to retreat.
The final blow came at the Battle of Itakhuli, fought in August 1682 at the Itakhuli hill near Guwahati on the bank of the Brahmaputra. The Ahom king was Gadadhar Singha (reign 1681-1696, Tai name Supatphaa), and the Ahom commander at Guwahati was Hussain Borphukan. The Mughal forces were commanded by Mansur Khan, the Mughal Faujdar of Guwahati, under the emperor Aurangzeb. The Ahoms won a decisive victory, the Mughals were permanently driven out of Guwahati and Lower Assam, and the boundary between the two powers was fixed at the Manas river. Itakhuli completed the Ahom reconquest of their western territory and ended Mughal presence in Assam.
Main Facts about Saraighat and Itakhuli (Quick Revision Bullets)
- Battle of Saraighat: 1671, near Guwahati, at a narrow stretch of the Brahmaputra; a naval battle.
- Ahom king at Saraighat: Udayaditya Singha (Tai name Sunyatphaa).
- Ahom commander: Lachit Borphukan. Mughal commander: Ram Singh (son of Raja Jai Singh I, sent by Aurangzeb).
- Result of Saraighat: decisive Ahom victory; saved Assam from Mughal occupation.
- Lachit Borphukan's death: 1672; Lachit Divas: 24 November (his birth anniversary).
- Battle of Itakhuli: August 1682, at Itakhuli hill near Guwahati on the Brahmaputra.
- Ahom king at Itakhuli: Gadadhar Singha (reign 1681-1696, Tai name Supatphaa).
- Ahom commander at Itakhuli: Hussain Borphukan. Mughal commander: Mansur Khan, Faujdar of Guwahati.
- Result of Itakhuli: decisive Ahom victory; Mughals permanently driven out of Guwahati and Lower Assam.
- Boundary fixed at: the Manas river.
- Greatest naval victory in Assam's history: the Battle of Saraighat.
Why Saraighat and Itakhuli Matter for Assam Competitive Exams
These two battles are among the most celebrated events in Assam's history and appear constantly in exams. Question-setters match battle, year, place and commander: Saraighat (1671) — Lachit Borphukan vs Ram Singh, and Itakhuli (1682) — Hussain Borphukan vs Mansur Khan under Gadadhar Singha. Examiners also test the naval character of Saraighat, the role of small boats, the Manas river boundary, the Tai names Sunyatphaa and Supatphaa, and the observance of Lachit Divas on 24 November.
How to Prepare Saraighat and Itakhuli for Assam Exams
- Build a timeline. Saraighat 1671, death of Lachit 1672, accession of Gadadhar Singha 1681, Itakhuli 1682.
- Separate the two battles. Saraighat (1671, Udayaditya Singha, Lachit) and Itakhuli (1682, Gadadhar Singha, Hussain Borphukan).
- Remember the Mughal commanders. Ram Singh (Saraighat) and Mansur Khan (Itakhuli).
- Note the tactics. The Ahoms used small swift boats to destroy the large Mughal fleet at Saraighat.
- Fix the outcome. After Itakhuli, the boundary was the Manas river and the Mughals left Lower Assam permanently.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was the Battle of Saraighat fought?
It was fought in 1671 near Guwahati at a narrow stretch of the Brahmaputra river during the reign of Ahom king Udayaditya Singha.
Who led the two sides at the Battle of Saraighat?
Lachit Borphukan led the Ahom forces, and the Mughal army was led by Ram Singh, son of Raja Jai Singh I, sent by Emperor Aurangzeb.
Why is the Battle of Saraighat famous?
It was a decisive naval victory in which the Ahoms used small swift boats to destroy the large Mughal fleet, saving Assam from Mughal occupation; it is regarded as the greatest naval victory in Assam's history.
What happened at the Battle of Itakhuli in 1682?
Under Ahom king Gadadhar Singha, the Ahom commander Hussain Borphukan defeated the Mughal Faujdar Mansur Khan at Itakhuli hill, permanently driving the Mughals out of Guwahati and Lower Assam.
Where was the Ahom-Mughal boundary fixed and when is Lachit Divas observed?
After Itakhuli the boundary was fixed at the Manas river. Lachit Divas is observed on 24 November, the birth anniversary of Lachit Borphukan.