Question

How did the Ahoms use the rivers, hills and forests of Assam to their advantage? Can you think of ways in which the geography helped them build defences and fight wars?

Answer 1

The Ahoms used the rivers, hills and forests of Assam to strengthen their defence and fight wars. The Brahmaputra River and its tributaries acted as natural barriers and helped them move troops and supplies by boats. The hills and dense forests made it difficult for enemies to enter the kingdom and allowed the Ahoms to hide and launch surprise attacks. They also built forts and defensive structures near rivers and other natural barriers. Thus, Assam’s geography helped the Ahoms protect their kingdom and defeat powerful enemies, such as the Mughals in the Battle of Saraighat in 1671.