KOCH-MUGHAL ALLIANCE
We often talk about Ahoms defeating Mughals but there is something more interesting relating to the alliance that took place between Mughals under Akbar and Koches under Naranarayana.
As mentioned Koches under king Naranarayana with the military skill of Chilarai became the most powerful kingdom of North East defeating all the major kingdoms in this area.At the same time the power of Mughals were growing under Akbar in North India defeating all the kingdoms in Northern India one by one.Rajputs were said to be bravest but all the Rajputs surrendered except Mewar who were defeated shortly.As they moved towards Eastern India they found an ally in the form of Koches with whom they defeated the Kingdom of Gaur(Bengal)
The credit for the alliance goes to Naranarayana who was an excellent diplomat and was very far sighted.There has been one failed expedition against Gaur however which was soon reversed by forming alliance with Mughals.Mughals invaded from the west and Koches invaded from the east and later the kingdom was divided among Akbar and Naranarayana.
Thus Koch kingdom was the only Kingdom with whom the Mughals under Akbar forced an alliance and didnt faced any onslaught from Mughals..The reason was bcoz the Koch kingdom at that time was as powerful as Mughals and a full fledged war with each other will effect both.Also bcoz of good diplomatic skill of Naranarayana..In the book Akbarnama, Akbar had praised the Millitary power of Koch Kings and there was never an intention of Akbar to consider the Koch kingdom as their Vassal and the relationship was based on equal terms.Naranarayana had maintained good relations with Akbar.It is said that Naranarayana had sent forces to assist the Mughals against Mughal officer Mausam Khan Kabuli who rebelled against the Mughal Empreror in 1583.Moreover in 1578 Naranarayana sant valuable presents and 54 Elephants to Akbar as a sign of gesture to maintian the good relation with him.
The reign of Naranarayana and Chilarai was the most glorious in the history of North East and it was bcoz of them that the North East at the initial stages were saved from Mughal Onslaught..However their legacy couldnot be carried forward and soon the kingdom was divided among the sons of Naranarayana and Chilarai was Koch Bihar and Koch Hajo and fighting between the two lead to Koch Bihar becoming Vassal of Mughals and parts of Koch Hajo(excluding Bijni) becoming part of Ahom kingdom..So morale is unity is strength..There was unity between the brothers Naranarayana and Chilarai due to which the glory of Koch kingdom reached such a height which was not seen in later parts.
We often talk about Ahoms defeating Mughals but there is something more interesting relating to the alliance that took place between Mughals under Akbar and Koches under Naranarayana.
As mentioned Koches under king Naranarayana with the military skill of Chilarai became the most powerful kingdom of North East defeating all the major kingdoms in this area.At the same time the power of Mughals were growing under Akbar in North India defeating all the kingdoms in Northern India one by one.Rajputs were said to be bravest but all the Rajputs surrendered except Mewar who were defeated shortly.As they moved towards Eastern India they found an ally in the form of Koches with whom they defeated the Kingdom of Gaur(Bengal)
The credit for the alliance goes to Naranarayana who was an excellent diplomat and was very far sighted.There has been one failed expedition against Gaur however which was soon reversed by forming alliance with Mughals.Mughals invaded from the west and Koches invaded from the east and later the kingdom was divided among Akbar and Naranarayana.
Thus Koch kingdom was the only Kingdom with whom the Mughals under Akbar forced an alliance and didnt faced any onslaught from Mughals..The reason was bcoz the Koch kingdom at that time was as powerful as Mughals and a full fledged war with each other will effect both.Also bcoz of good diplomatic skill of Naranarayana..In the book Akbarnama, Akbar had praised the Millitary power of Koch Kings and there was never an intention of Akbar to consider the Koch kingdom as their Vassal and the relationship was based on equal terms.Naranarayana had maintained good relations with Akbar.It is said that Naranarayana had sent forces to assist the Mughals against Mughal officer Mausam Khan Kabuli who rebelled against the Mughal Empreror in 1583.Moreover in 1578 Naranarayana sant valuable presents and 54 Elephants to Akbar as a sign of gesture to maintian the good relation with him.
The reign of Naranarayana and Chilarai was the most glorious in the history of North East and it was bcoz of them that the North East at the initial stages were saved from Mughal Onslaught..However their legacy couldnot be carried forward and soon the kingdom was divided among the sons of Naranarayana and Chilarai was Koch Bihar and Koch Hajo and fighting between the two lead to Koch Bihar becoming Vassal of Mughals and parts of Koch Hajo(excluding Bijni) becoming part of Ahom kingdom..So morale is unity is strength..There was unity between the brothers Naranarayana and Chilarai due to which the glory of Koch kingdom reached such a height which was not seen in later parts.
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