Author:

Suren Das
Assistant Professor
Department of History
Bhattadev University
Bajali, Assam,India

Email: surendas1980@gmail.com

Abstract:: The Indian history witnessed very few ruling dynasties whose rule sustained for a long span of time like those of the Ahoms. The Ahoms were descendants of the Tai people, originally from the Chinese province of Yunan who reached the Brahmaputra Valley in 1228 C. E. and settled in the upper portion of Assam and ruled it for almost long six centuries, a record period in Indian history, next only to the Cholas. Siu-ka-pha, the founder of the Ahoms laid the foundation of a sound civil administration which was further upgraded by his descendants. They followed a practical, pragmatic and wise policy in regard to their frontier administration which was not based on a rigid overlord-vassal relationship as the aim of the Ahom government was not extension of its sovereignty over the neighbouring principalities but establishment of friendly relationship with them on the basis of mutual benefit and understanding. By virtue of their sound and farsighted frontier policy towards the frontier hill tribes, the Ahoms could enhance their strength and also ensure neutrality of these tribes during the time of foreign aggression. The Ahoms allowed the tribal groups of the frontier areas to enjoy local autonomy and to preserve their traditional tribal set-up only at the cost of accepting nominal sovereignty. The Ahoms by their liberal norms and practices created a nice atmosphere for mixing of tribes. They interdined and intermarried freely with the frontier tribesmen. Such policy of course helped the Ahoms in ensuring the security and management of their frontier areas.

Key Words::Ahoms, Frontier , Government, Sovereignty, Traditional,Tribe etc