The Burmese invasions of Assam were a series of devastating military campaigns carried out by the Konbaung dynasty of Burma, which led to the fall of the Ahom kingdom and ushered in a phase of foreign occupation, mass atrocities, and eventually British intervention.
First Invasion (1817) – Role of Badan Chandra Barphukan
Badan Chandra Barphukan, a disgraced Ahom noble, sought help from the Burmese king to reclaim power in Assam.
In 1817, a Burmese force entered Assam under the pretext of aiding Badan Chandra.
They defeated Purnananda Burhagohain’s forces, captured Guwahati, and installed Chandrakanta Singha as the king.
Though the Burmese soon withdrew, this marked the beginning of foreign intervention in Assam.
🔑 The 1817 invasion was initiated by internal court rivalry, giving the Burmese a strategic entry point into Assam.
Second Invasion (1819) – Role of Chandrakanta Singha
Chandrakanta Singha, initially supported by the Burmese, tried to assert independence once he regained the throne.
His actions angered the Burmese, who launched a second invasion in 1819.
A larger Burmese force defeated Chandrakanta’s army, forced him to flee, and seized full control of Assam.
The capital, Garhgaon, was sacked, and the Burmese installed their own puppet regime.
🔑 The second invasion marked the end of effective Ahom sovereignty and the beginning of Burmese occupation.
Third Invasion (1821–1822) – Fall of the Ahoms
After a brief resistance by Chandrakanta Singha, the Burmese returned in 1821–22 with even greater force.
This phase saw:
The complete collapse of the Ahom military system.
Widespread violence, looting, and destruction of villages.
The Burmese stationed permanent garrisons, and Assam was annexed into the Burmese empire.
🔑 The third invasion was the final blow to the Ahom dynasty, ending six centuries of native rule.
Role of Ranjit Singh’s Nihang Soldiers
During this crisis, Raja Chandrakanta sought help from Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab.
Ranjit Singh dispatched a force of Nihang (Sikh) warriors to assist the Assamese resistance.
Though valiant, their support was limited and poorly coordinated, failing to stop the Burmese advance.
🔑 The arrival of the Nihangs reflected pan-Indian concern, but their effort was ultimately ineffective.
Complete Burmese Occupation and Oppression
Between 1822 and 1824, the Burmese ruled Assam with extreme cruelty:
Carried out mass killings, torture, and enslavement of locals.
Destroyed temples, granaries, and archives.
Caused widespread famine, depopulation, and refugee crisis.
The period is remembered as the “Manar Din” (Days of Destruction) in Assamese memory.
🔑 The Burmese occupation was marked by widespread atrocities and is one of the darkest chapters in Assam’s history.
Local Resistance and Collapse of Ahom Rule
Despite the oppression, several local revolts and uprisings occurred:
Led by former Ahom nobles, peasants, and tribal leaders.
Used guerrilla warfare against Burmese outposts.
However, these movements lacked central coordination and were ultimately unsuccessful.
The combined effect of:
Ahom administrative failure
Noble rivalry
And military weakness led to the complete collapse of the Ahom kingdom.
🔑 The fall of the Ahoms was due not only to external aggression but also internal disunity and weakened institutions.