Question

Why did kingdoms like the Vijayanagara Empire and the Ahom Kingdom manage to resist conquest for a longer time compared to others? What geographical, military, and social factors contributed to their success?

Answer 1

Kingdoms like the Vijayanagara Empire and the Ahom Kingdom were able to resist conquest for a long time because of their geographical advantages, strong military strategies, and social unity. The Vijayanagara Empire benefited from the rocky and hilly landscape of Hampi, which made it difficult for enemies to attack. Under rulers like Krishnadevaraya, they developed a powerful army and strengthened unity by supporting religion, temples, art, and literature.

The Ahom Kingdom, on the other hand, used the dense forests, rivers, and hills of Assam to defend their territory. They used guerrilla warfare and their knowledge of the local terrain to defeat larger armies, as seen in the Battle of Saraighat in 1671. Their Paik system also provided a strong and flexible workforce and army. Both kingdoms received strong support from local people, which helped maintain their stability and independence. Thus, favourable geography, effective military planning, and social unity helped both kingdoms resist foreign conquest for a longer period.