by Nava Thakuria
Guwahati: The Patriotic People’s Front Assam (PPFA) has lauded the Assam government’s decision to name the under-construction Dighalipukhuri–Noonmati flyover in Guwahati after legendary Kamrup ruler Prithu Maharaj. The nationalist citizens’ forum has also urged Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to install a life-size statue of the medieval king—also known as Visvasundaradeva—alongside what will be the longest flyover in the Northeast.
In a statement, the PPFA praised CM Sarma’s assertion that the move reflects the State government’s “sacred duty” to preserve Assam’s cultural heritage and inspire younger generations by honouring historical figures who defended the region from foreign aggression.
Addressing the gathering after hoisting the Tricolour on the 79th Independence Day at Khanapara, CM Sarma announced that the four-lane elevated corridor—measuring nearly 5 kilometres—linking Dighalipukhuri (Ambari) with Noonmati will be named after the medieval Kamarupa monarch. Prithu Maharaj is remembered for defeating Turkish-Afghan invader Muhammad-i-Bakhtiyar Khilji and decimating his army in 1206 CE.
Before his defeat in Kamrup, Khilji had massacred over 10,000 Buddhist monks and destroyed the renowned centres of learning at Nalanda and Vikramshila in central India. Attempting to invade Tibet via Kamrup, he failed to overcome Tibetan resistance and retreated through Kamrup territory—only to be crushed by Prithu’s forces near present-day North Guwahati. The infamous invader was later assassinated by his own general, Ali Mardan.
“Prithu Maharaj should be honoured for resolutely defending the Hindu cultural legacy of Kamrup, where Sanskrit was recognised as Raj Bhasa, and for thwarting early foreign aggression in this part of Bharat,” the PPFA stated. It added that the king’s victory was aided by strategic alliances with various tribal communities, including the Bodo, Koch-Rajbongshi, and Keot.
The forum noted that Prithu’s triumph over Khilji is commemorated in Assam as Mahavijay Diwas on March 27 each year, but lamented that historians elsewhere in India have yet to duly acknowledge his valour and nationalism—a recognition, it said, that is long overdue.
