The Ahoms migrated from present-day Myanmar to the Brahmaputra Valley in the 13th century. By the 16th century, they had annexed neighboring tribes and used firearms and cannons, being able to produce high-quality gunpowder by the 1630s. The Ahom administration depended on a system of forced labor called paiks, with villages required to send a set number to work for the state. Society was divided into clans, and while the Ahoms originally worshipped tribal gods, Hinduism increased in influence during the 17th century and became predominant under the rule of Sib Singh from 1714-1744. Ahom culture was sophisticated, with poets, scholars and theaters supported
2. MOVEMENT OF AHOMS
• From present day Myanmar to
Brahmaputra Valley in 13th
century
• 16th century – annexxed
Chhutiyas(1523) & Koch
Hajo(1581) & other tribes
• Used firearms as early as 1530s
• By 1660 they could make high-
quality gunpowder and
cannons
3. AHOM ADMINISTRATION
• Ahoms state depended upon
forced labour.
• Paiks - forced to work for the
states.
• Each village had to send a
number of paiks by rotation
• People from heavily populated
areas were shifted to less
populated areas
• 17th century end – administration
became centralized
4. AHOM ADMINISTRATION
• All adults male served in the
army during war
• Other times buildings
dams, irrigation system etc
• Society divided into clans or khels
• Ahoms worshiped tribal gods
• 17th century- influence of
brahmins increased
• Sib Singh (1714-1744)-Hinduism
became predominant
• Tradiational beliefs continued
5. AHOM SOCIETY
• Very sophisticated
• Poets and scholars given land
grants
• Theater was encouraged
• Buranjis- historical works
written first in Ahom language
and then in Assamese
