Desert Eagle Suletan Khan

As an outstanding commander, Raqqat Balapkhan knew that his army was far inferior to the Mughal army in combat strength, and that it would be difficult to win in a direct confrontation. Therefore, he chose Salagat as the location for the decisive battle. This place was full of rivers, dense jungles, and muddy roads, which was extremely disadvantageous to the Mughal army, which was used to fighting on open plains, but provided a natural barrier for the Assamese army, which was familiar with the terrain.

To coordinate with the main army's operations, he ordered troops and civilians to clear villages and move food along the Mughal army's route of advance, preventing the invaders from obtaining supplies. At the same time, he sent out small groups to harass the Mughal army and attack its supply lines, keeping it constantly on the move. He also used false intelligence to mislead the Mughal commander Ram Singh, successfully sowing doubt and discord within the enemy camp.

On October 6, 1671, the Mughal army arrived in Saraiqat. After months of attrition and stalemate, they were weakened by supply difficulties, disease outbreaks, and low morale, while the main force of the Assamese army was high in morale due to rest and recuperation and fighting on home soil. Raqqat Balapkhan gave the enemy no respite and immediately ordered a general offensive. The Assamese army, utilizing the terrain, launched a fierce attack on the Mughal camp from multiple directions. The fighting was exceptionally fierce, and the Mughal army suffered a devastating blow, losing over 10,000 men. All artillery and supplies were captured by the Assamese army. This was a rare and massive defeat during Aurangzeb's reign.

This battle had a profound impact, thwarting the Mughal Empire's eastward expansion and, like the long wars in the Deccan region, sowing the seeds of its decline. For the Kingdom of Assam, it was the greatest military victory in its history. It forced the Mughal Empire to sign a treaty agreeing to use the Manas River as the border, thus ensuring the kingdom's independence and the cultural uniqueness of the Assam region.

Most importantly, it profoundly impacted the power structure within the Kingdom of Assam, giving rise to a hero and a powerful minister. After the war, Lachit Balapkan was regarded as a national hero for his outstanding strategic and tactical abilities, leadership, and patriotism, gaining the support of the army and most tribal chiefs. The succession to the throne in the Kingdom of Assam was not strictly patrilineal, but rather often determined by a council of nobles. He was enthusiastically elected as Balbara (regent) and Bolpukan (supreme commander of the army), and even King Chakdwa had to defer to his wishes.

If Lachit Balapkhan had known how to temper his sharp edges, the internal conflicts within the kingdom might not have escalated. However, this military-turned-regent acted with swift and decisive action, showing no regard for the king's feelings. Upon becoming the most powerful and influential person in Assam, he immediately implemented sweeping reforms, gaining complete control of the government. He was not only the commander-in-chief of the army but also deeply involved in administration, finance, and foreign affairs; even many of the king's decisions required his approval or were made directly by him.

During the reign of King Jayadwaji Singh, the Mughal army once occupied the capital of the Kingdom of Assam. It was the current King Chakdewa Singh who turned the tide and revived the country. Such a monarch is hardly incompetent. He knew that Ratchit's prestige was at its peak and that he still controlled the army; a direct confrontation would be futile. Therefore, he chose to bide his time, outwardly showing great respect to the powerful minister while secretly accumulating strength to reclaim power. His long experience in governance had taught the king that no ruler is immune to mistakes and political enemies; he only needed to remain in the shadows and wait.

And indeed, this proved to be true. Knowing full well that the Mughal Empire might make a comeback (though unlikely in the short term), Raqit Balaphan continued to devote the nation's resources to strengthening border defenses and reorganizing the military after the victory. This was not wrong in itself, but it inevitably led to the neglect of the people's livelihood, which aroused dissatisfaction among some of the populace. He ruthlessly purged or suppressed the leaders of the Moamaria tribes who had behaved suspiciously during the war or who had good relations with the Mughal Empire, as well as some chieftains on the western border, offending many nobles. He used the momentum of victory to strengthen control over the vassal states of the Assam Kingdom, such as the Jaintiya Kingdom, which angered the leaders of the vassal states, but they dared not speak out.

King Chakdeva observed this with delight, secretly rallying forces dissatisfied with Lachit. Royal relatives, the "Bagons" closely connected to the royal family, Moamaria tribe chiefs, western chieftains, nobles from vassal states, and officials discontent with the status quo quietly gathered around the king, gradually giving him the power to challenge the powerful ministers. However, the shrewd and calculating king, well aware of Lachit Balapkhan's influence in the army and among the people, dared not act rashly, maintaining a facade of harmony.

The apparent harmony was merely the prelude to a political storm; the king's forbearance was simply a prelude to a decisive blow. This opportunity ripened with the arrival of the Wei Kingdom's envoy. When King Chakdewa heard that the arrogant Rakit had resolutely refused the Assamese Kingdom's submission to Wei and expelled the Wei envoy, he smiled. It was merely nominal submission, posing no threat to the kingdom's interests. Rakit's direct humiliation of Wei was, in effect, securing him a powerful ally!
The king immediately dispatched his trusted minister, Surama, to Mengyang to meet with Alatan Cang, the governor of Yunnan and Guizhou under the Kingdom of David. While extending goodwill, he expressed his intention to restore power with the help of the Guardian Army. Furthermore, he ordered the spread of rumors that the Kingdom of David intended to ally with the Kingdom of Assam against the brutal Mughals, but Lachit had driven away the envoy for a trivial matter of "face," not only depriving the kingdom of a powerful ally but also incurring a formidable enemy with whom it had no prior grudge. He warned that if the Kingdom of David joined forces with the Mughals to attack from both east and west, the fate of Assam would be in danger. As the rumors spread, panic gripped the kingdom, but the king's eyes shone with a burning fervor.

“Your Excellency, King Chakdewa Singh of Assam’s envoy is waiting outside the tent. Would you like to see him?” Fang Yuxuan asked Alatan Cang with a smile after introducing the situation of the three countries.

"Alas! I never imagined that such a small kingdom could have such a great hero! It's just a pity that his achievements are so great that they threaten the king's heart, and his king cannot tolerate him." Alatan Cang sighed. As a fellow military commander, he respected every general who had made great contributions, but as the commander of the Guard, he only cared about the interests of the Kingdom of David. He said leisurely, "Let that envoy named Surama in, give him a seat, and brew him a pot of good tea."

“Your Majesty, the Governor of the Guard has agreed to send troops to help you regain power and is willing to form an alliance with you to fight against the brutal Mughals, but he demands that you submit to their Great Khan,” Surama returned to Gargon, the capital of Assam, and recounted his experience as an envoy to the Guard camp to King Chakdwa.

Chakdwa listened intently to his subject's account, squinting, not wanting to miss a single detail. After a long while, he opened his eyes wide, his gaze sharp as lightning. "Tell my people that I will build a temple in Chalai Fortress, and name it 'Sivasar'."

Chalai Fortress was the former capital of the Kingdom of Assam, its birthplace, and the burial site of its former kings. Building a temple in such a sacred place was perfectly normal to the Assamese, who revered their gods. Upon hearing that the king wanted to build a temple, Regent Lachit was delighted. If the king only thought about building a temple and didn't hinder his rule, it would truly be a great and meritorious deed! (End of Chapter)