Indian Warrior series: #2 Sikh | Ahom India has a long history of innumerable faiths co-existing peacefully while resisting and countering external threats to its continuity and integrity. This series is a tribute to those warrior clans, the Kshatriyas who contributed to upholding their culture and tradition. During the Eighteenth century, the SIKH were under constant strain from multiple powers that included the Mughals and the Afghan invaders. By 1768, they had overpowered all their enemies and won major territories in Punjab. End of the century saw the emergence of a unified Sikh empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh which was an eventful period of Sikh history. He established law and order in Punjab and was known as a secular leader in world history. Hari Singh Nalwa's performance as an administrator and a legendary military commander under Maharaja Ranjith Singh’s rule remains unmatched. For the past eight centuries, marauders, who had indulged in looting, plunder etc. had used this route to enter the subcontinent. He successfully thwarted the last foreign invasion at Jamrud, permanently blocking this route of the invaders. He was also instrumental in expanding the Sikh Empire from the Indian sub-continent towards the Afghan border to the west and Tibet to the east. AHOM dynasty of Assam was founded by Tai Prince Chaolung Sukapha. He entered the Brahmaputra valley in 1228. Thereafter the Ahoms expanded their influence and built a large state by the 16th Century. The key reason for their prosperity and greatness which enabled them to rule for almost 600 years was that they assimilated with the local culture in many aspects. The Ahoms neither converted the locals, nor forced them to follow their practices. They instead added their bits to the existing practices and made it richer, by respecting it and by being a part of it. The Battle of Saraighat - 1671 AD : The Ahoms made excellent use of the terrain by engaging in highly effective guerrilla warfare tactics and developed a river specific navy. The Ahom war boats were smaller in size, equipped with guns and artillery, as compared to the large boats used by the Mughals. The Ahom boatmen were experts in manoeuvring in the river giving them an advantage. Lachit Borphukan is considered as one of the greatest war generals who fought relentlessly to curb the expansion of the Mughal Empire in Assam. He is known for his diplomatic negotiations, psychological warfare, military intelligence, guerrilla tactics and played a decisive role in this battle. The Ahom army built multiple mud embankments around Guwahati which forced the vast Mughal army to attack them through Saraighat, along the Brahmaputra river, using their Navy. With a small force, the Ahoms eventually defeated the mighty Mughal army. Format: GIF Tools used: Adobe photoshop & Adobe After effects | Hand-Illustrated using Wacom Tablet.