Kamrup Nripati Prithu
By Nava Thakuria*
Guwahati: As the nation celebrates the reincarnation of Nalanda University and remembers the brutality of invader Mohamad -I- Bakhtiyar Khilji, who had burnt the ancient University and its rich library, it’s time to honour Kamrup Nripati Prithu, who defeated the notorious Turkish-Afghan enemy.
There has now been a demand from a section in Assam to install a life-size statue of the mediaeval Kamrup king somewhere in the prehistoric city. In a media statement, the Patriotic People’s Front, Assam (PPFA) – a forum of nationalist citizens, today urged both the governments in Dispur and New Delhi to take pragmatic plans to spread the bravery and patriotism of Maharaja Prithu among the new generation of India.
Incidentally, the glory of Kamrupraja Prithu (alias Visvasundaradeva) resurfaces in the public domain as he annihilated the Khilji, who not only burned down the Nalanda library but also slaughtered thousands of Buddhist monks and scholars in the 12th-century massacre.
Mentionable is that PM Modi recently inaugurated the 455 acres campus of Nalanda University at Rajgir of Bihar in the presence of diplomats from Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Mauritius, China, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, Australia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, New Zealand, Portugal, South Korea, Singapore, etc. The picturesque campus has been nurtured as a mix of modern and traditional entities. Sunlight streams as well as natural cooling in the classrooms are being utilized along with the modern equipment. Kamal Sagar Pond, 100 acres of greenery, a contemporary sports complex, among other facilities welcome the guests to the campus, where cars are not allowed.
After devastating a large part of India and successfully capturing Bihar and Bengal, Khilji planned to invade Kamrup and Tibet. But the fanatic invader, who destroyed Odantapuri, Vikramshila besides Nalanda Buddha Vihar, faced a disastrous end in present-day Assam. He was wiped out by the Khen dynasty Kamarup ruler in the battle of 1206, following which he decided to retreat. The Indigenous tribal soldiers chased the defeated invading forces until thousands of them were killed and died in an extreme ambience. The end came for Khilji as one of his trusted generals killed him during those depressing days.
“Maharaja Prithu should be honoured as he stood firmly against the Pathan invaders to safeguard the Hindu cultural legacy of Kamrup, where Sanskrit was recognised as Raj Bhasa, and prevented an early foreign aggression in this part of Bharat. The Kamrup ruler earned strategic support from various tribal communities like Bodo, Koch- Rajbongshi, Keot, to overpower the Muslim forces,” said the PPFA statement, adding that so far Indian historians ignored the valour and nationalism of Prithu, which must be restored with due honour and admiration.
*Senior journalist
