Current context:

=> The battle of Alaboi was fought between the Ahom armed force and Mughals trespassers on August 5, 1669 in the Alaboi Hills near Dadara in North Guwahati.

=> Recently speaking on the anniversary of battle of Alaboi Minister of Forest and Environment Chandra Mohan Patowary informed that the government is planning to set up a panel for extensive research on Alaboi war.

=> The government has already setup an Alaboi war memorial at Amingaon in Kamrup.

Background:

=> Mughal army under Mir Jumla invaded Assam in the year 1662.

=> The Mughals defeated Ahoms, captured Ahom territory including Guwahati.

=> Treaty of Ghilazarighat was signed in the year 1663

=> Jayadhwaj Singha died out of despair in 1663, and he was succeeded by his cousin Chakradhwaj Singha.

=> Chakradhwaj Singha appointed Lachit, the son of Momai Tamuli Barbarua, to command the expedition against the Mughals and appointed him the Borphukan.

Battle of Alaboi:

=> Ram Singha challenged Chakradhvaj Singha to a single combat and undertook in case of his defeat to return with his army to Bengal.

=> The Assam king, in his turn, grew impatient and ordered his commanders to attack the Mughals immediately.

=> The Mughals then concentrated their army near the Alaboi bill in the vicinity of Dalbari. There was a vast plain in front of the Mughal camp.

=> In the battle of Alaboi, ten thousand Assamese soldiers lost their lives.

=> Soon after the battle of Alaboi, Chakradhvaj Singha died in 1669.

=> He was succeeded by his brother, who in his accession assumed the Hindu name Udayaditya Singha.

Battle of Saraighat,1671:

=> Ahom army – demoralized after battle of Alaboi.

=> Lachit Barphukan was seriously ill and was in his sickbed. Not present in the battle field.

=> The Ahom army started to retreat soon after the battle started.

=> At this crucial moment, Lachit Barphukan, in spite of his illness, rushed into the thick Mughal fleet.

=> He had with him six war-vessels.

=> This unprecedented attack of the Barphukan restored to courage of the retreating Assamese soldiers who came back and fell upon the enemy.

=> A terrible contest took place. The Mughals could not stand the “dash and fury of the Assamese onset”.

=> They had to retreat with ignominy and disaster.