Friday 20 December 2019

Brahmaputra by Aneesh Gokhale




An engrossing account of the events in history that resulted in the Battle of Saraighat. The point which makes it even more interesting is the author is not from the Northeast, but a Maharashtrian. Though the story revolves around the Ahom commander Lachit Barphukan, we get to know about many other unsung heroes who were instrumental in keeping the Indic flag fluttering proudly in the Northeast Bharat to name a few the inspiring King of Ahom Dynasty Chakradhwaj Singha, the Prime Minister Atan Buragohain, Japang Gohain, Bagh Hazarika.

Aneesh has linked the story of Ahoms with the Marathas and nowhere it seems like a forceful attempt to highlight the similarities. Still, many observed similarities like they both fought with a similar spirit to protect the motherland from the aggressors and both fought lopsided battles against the resourceful Mughal Empire. The only two advantages which are clearly visible is the indomitable spirit and the topography which was used in the best possible way by both, the Marathas had the mighty Sahyadris and the Ahoms had the grand Brahmaputra. Another point which is clearly visible is he has not just compiled the stories together but, has visited the places and reflects the nuances of the Ahoms.

In every chapter, the biblical story of "David and Goliath" was flashing at the back of my mind and felt like why we too keep on using this phrase in regular parlance why not use something Indic like Shivaji and Afzal Khan or for that matter Ahoms and the Mughals.

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