Tangible Cultural Heritage: A Study on Ahom Weapons
By Sauradeep Nath, Alok Tripathi
Summary
The study examines Ahom weapons preserved in museums across Assam, classifying them based on origin and acquisition methods. The Ahoms, a Tai ethnic group ruling the Brahmaputra Valley from the 13th to 19th centuries, utilized weapons like swords (Hengdang, talwar), spears (Jathi, Barsha), choppers (Nakoi-da, Shikara-da), and firearms (cannons, hand cannons). These were either forged locally, acquired as tribute (Choi) from subjugated groups like the Miri and Dimasa, or collected as war booty from conflicts with kingdoms such as the Chutias, Mughals, and others. The research surveys collections at the Ahom Tai Museum (Sivasagar), Assam State Museum (Guwahati), and district museums in Mangaldoi, Jorhat, Tezpur, and Dibrugarh, as well as Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra (Guwahati). Data from museum holdings and historical chronicles (Buranjis) were analyzed to categorize weapons into three groups: those of Ahom origin, tributes, and war booty. Notable examples include the S-shaped sword and gold-encrusted Hengdang reserved for royalty. The study addresses gaps in prior research by detailing weapon descriptions and contextualizing their historical exchange, offering a comprehensive understanding of Ahom martial culture and interactions with neighboring groups.
Conclusion
This study provides a comprehensive analysis of Ahom weapons, categorizing them based on origin and context, including those forged locally, acquired as tribute, or collected as war booty. By surveying collections across major Assamese museums and cross-referencing with historical chronicles like the *Buranjis*, the research offers detailed insights into weapon types such as swords, spears, choppers, and firearms, including their societal and military significance. The findings highlight the Ahom's metallurgical expertise, their cultural practices involving weapons, and their interactions with neighboring kingdoms through tribute and conflict. The classification framework proposed here enriches understanding of Ahom militarism and heritage preservation, emphasizing the need for further research on understudied artifacts in regional museums.