![]() | This article contains weasel words: vague phrasing that often accompanies biased or unverifiable information. (April 2025) |
Turbak's invasion of Assam | |||||||
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Part of Islamic invasions of Assam | |||||||
![]() Path of the Brahmaputra River | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
![]() | Bengal Sultanate | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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Turbak † Hussain Khan ![]() Taju † Sangul † | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
Large 700 ships |
Large 1,100 cavalry 1,000 infantry 36 elephants many guns and canons | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
8 commanders |
2,500 men 20 ships 28 elephants 850 horses many cannons and matchlocks |
The Turbak's invasion of Assam,[1] one of many Turko-Afghan invasions of Assam,[2] was a sustained military engagement between Turbak Khan, a Turko-Afghan commander from Bengal Sultanate and the Ahom kingdom. After some initial success Turbak was eventually killed in battle by the Ahom forces, and his army was routed pursued to the Karatoya river.
The Ahoms pursued the retreating forces up to the point where the Karatoya River meets the Brahmaputra River. This victory was crucial for the Ahoms, and the ruler of Gauda had to yield, surrendering land and even arranging marriage alliances. Visva Singha, a Koch ruler, was also acknowledged as a subordinate leader under Ahom rule and was expected to send regular tribute to the Ahoms.
According to historians, Turbak's invasion introduced firearms in Assam, but there are Ahom records that mention firearms even before that, when they conquered the Chutiyas. The Ahoms also constructed a road from Gauhati to the Karatoya River during this campaign and formed alliances with other kingdoms, including Vikram Sen of Orissa. King Suhungmung erected a bold stone pillar inscribed with a caution and constructed a tank at Puri after getting permission from the Orissa ruler, reportedly as an intimidation to the rulers of Bengal.