The Battle of Kamrup is written and directed by Padmapani Bora.

The Battle of Kamrup brings to light a stirring yet largely forgotten chapter of Bharat’s history—one where imperial ambition was decisively halted not by vast armies, but by strategic brilliance, cultural resilience, and an unyielding civilizational spirit. Set in the early 13th century, the documentary revisits a defining moment in the eastern frontiers of the subcontinent, reclaiming a victory that has remained on the margins of mainstream historical discourse.

In 1206 CE, the Turkic general Bakhtiyar Khilji, infamous for his destructive campaigns across North India and the annihilation of the great centers of learning at Nalanda, Vikramshila, and Odantapuri, advanced eastward after subduing Bengal. Emboldened by successive victories, Khilji expected Kamrup to fall with similar ease. What he encountered instead was a land—and a people—prepared not merely for war, but for resistance rooted in deep cultural consciousness.

Ancient Kamrup, once known as Pragjyotishpur, was far more than a political kingdom. Revered as the sacred land of Maa Kamakhya, it stood as a powerful civilizational space shaped by spiritual traditions, sacred geography, and rulers who saw themselves as custodians of both temporal authority and cultural legacy. At this critical juncture, Kamrup was ruled by Raja Prithu—a young yet disciplined and deeply devout king, committed to the protection of his people and the sanctity of his realm.

The documentary highlights how Raja Prithu chose strategy over haste. Rather than engaging the invading force head-on, he first sought peace through diplomacy, sending envoys to negotiate. When these efforts failed, he orchestrated a masterful defense. The Turkic army’s defeat marked a decisive halt to Khilji’s eastward expansion and safeguarded Kamrup from imperial conquest.

This remarkable victory finds tangible historical testimony in the Kanai Barasi Buwa rock inscription near present-day Guwahati—one of the rare surviving records that affirm the outcome of this encounter. Yet despite its significance, the battle has remained largely absent from popular historical narratives. The Battle of Kamrup seeks to correct this omission by reclaiming a moment of courage, foresight, and cultural endurance.

More than a military chronicle, the documentary positions the victory as an assertion of civilizational strength. It argues that Kamrup’s survival was not merely the result of tactical ingenuity, but of a society deeply rooted in spiritual identity and collective resolve. Through meticulous research based on both primary and secondary sources, the film blends academic rigor with evocative storytelling.

The documentary adopts an interview-based format, enriched by narration, dramatized sequences, pictorial art, and shadow puppetry—one of the most ancient performance traditions of the region. Rooted in Vaishnavite culture and popularized by the great saint Srimanta Shankardev, shadow puppetry becomes a powerful visual metaphor, linking history, faith, and folk memory. The original background score incorporates indigenous musical elements, reinforcing the emotional and cultural texture of the narrative.

The Battle of Kamrup is written and directed by Padmapani Bora, an officer of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), 2009 batch, currently serving as Commissioner & Secretary to the Government of Assam. Trained within one of India’s premier administrative services, he brings a rare blend of institutional insight, scholarly discipline, and narrative sensitivity to filmmaking. His work reflects a sustained commitment to uncovering overlooked histories of Assam and the Northeast, bridging the gap between academic research and public memory.

The documentary is produced jointly by Siddhi Productions and Kadambari Connective Pvt. Ltd., marking a collaborative effort to bring a forgotten chapter of India’s history to contemporary audiences.