Guwahati: American historian Will Durant stated that the Islamic conquest of India is probably the bloodiest story in history. In 1205 AD, an Islamic invader Bakhtiyar Khalji came to this part of Bharatvarsha, then known as Kamrupa, with his army of ruthless religious fanatics. But King Prithu, the then ruler of Kamrupa decimated the entire army of Khalji and saved North East India and South East Asia from rape, plunder and subjugation by Islamic forces. Yet, the heroism of King Prithu is still underrated and only rarely known.
A dignified gathering of academicians, researchers and people with deep interest in the history of the region came together today at Rajaduar, North Guwahati, to commemorate and celebrate the decisive victory of King Prithu over the barbarian army of Bakhtiyar Khalji. Floral tribute was given to King Prithu at the very location of the no. 1 stone inscription which was inscribed on this day 817 years ago, to declare the victory. Speaking at the occasion, Assam kshetra’s Kshetra Prachar Pramukh of the RSS, Dr. Sunil Mohanti highlighted King Prithu’s war strategy in defeating Khalji’s army.
A national symposium on the topic “Maharaj Prithu: The Warrior King who Annihilated Bakhtiyar Khalji” was held at the Anundoram Borooah Institute of Language, Art and Culture on this occasion. This symposium was held in collaboration with the Anundoram Borooah Institute of Language, Art and Culture, the Kamrupa Anusandhan Samiti and the Folklore Society of Assam. Prof. (Dr.) Dilip Kumar Kalita, director, ABILAC, Assam welomed the participants and the audience of the symposium.
The national general secretray of the Akhil Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Yojna Sri Hemanta Dhing Mazumdar gave the inaugural address. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Raktim Patar, HoD, Dept. of History, Garhgaon College.
Dr. Gajendra Adhikary (head of the Sankardev studies center of the Srimanta Sankardev university and general secretary of Kamrupa Anusandhan Samiti), Dr. Karuna Kanta Kakati (Asst. prof. ABILAC, Assam and general secretary of Folklore Society of Assam), Dr. Niranjan Kalita (Ex member, APSC), Dr. Manjil Hazarika (HoD, Dept. of Archaeology, Cotton university), Sri Bhaskar Das, Dr. Alekhya Barua (actor and member AFDC) also graced the occasion.