Muhammad Yunus’s Advisers Underestimate Northeast India? Read Its Unconquerable Past

In a moment of remarkable foreign policy forecasting, the aides of Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus from Bangladesh issued a rather peculiar warning: if India retaliates against Pakistan for the Pahalgam attack, Northeast India will come under attack. A curious statement, especially considering not one word was spared for the loss of Indian soldiers in the Kashmir bombing. Instead, the concern was reserved for hypothetical consequences on India’s Northeast as if it were some soft underbelly waiting to be pierced. To this, we offer a simple response: read history first.

Let’s begin with Manipur a land often celebrated for its dance and culture, but too often overlooked for its military past. The Meitei Kingdom has existed since 33 AD. When the Burmese invaded in the early 19th century, Maharaja Gambhir Singh led a successful resistance to reclaim his homeland. In 1891, during the Anglo-Manipur War, Manipuri warriors stood up to the British Empire. Though the war was lost, the message was clear: Manipuris don’t surrender without a fight. Today, thousands of Manipuris serve in India’s armed forces, continuing a tradition of valor that spans generations.

Travel west and you’ll find Tripura, ruled by the Manikya Dynasty for over 500 years. Tripura was never a passive kingdom. Its warriors and tribal chiefs repelled Mughal incursions and maintained strong defenses until the British era. Even under colonial influence, Tripura’s rulers retained a martial identity. That warrior spirit lives on today’s Tripuri youth are found in BSF battalions, CRPF squads, and Indian Army regiments, holding the line at India’s frontiers.

No discussion of Northeast bravery is complete without mentioning the Nagas. Known for their unmatched guerrilla tactics, Nagas were impossible to subdue. The British, despite their firepower, struggled for decades to enter the Naga Hills. In World War II, the Nagas were instrumental in the Battle of Kohima, which marked a decisive Allied victory against Japan. Their knowledge of terrain, unshakeable loyalty, and combat skill became the stuff of legend. The Naga Regiment today stands as one of the most elite fighting units in the Indian Army proof that the warrior legacy didn’t vanish with time, it evolved into professional might.

Then there is Assam, a land of epic military history. The Ahom Dynasty, which ruled for over 600 years, famously defeated the Mughal Empire in the Battle of Saraighat (1671). Led by the brilliant general Lachit Borphukan, Assamese warriors used clever river warfare to crush a much larger enemy. To this day, India honors Borphukan as one of its greatest military minds. Assam’s youth continue this tradition through mass enlistment in the Army, the paramilitary, and the police.

In Meghalaya, we remember Tirot Sing, the Khasi tribal leader who resisted British expansion in the early 1800s. When the British attempted to build a road through Khasi territory without consent, Tirot Sing launched a rebellion. He was eventually captured and martyred but not before igniting a legacy of resistance that lives on in the Khasi and Jaintia hills. Even today, thousands of Khasi youth proudly serve the country’s armed and civil services.

Darjeeling and Sikkim: Sentinels of the East

And then come Darjeeling and Sikkim home to the Gorkha, Lepcha, and Bhutia warrior communities, whose contributions to India’s defense have been nothing short of legendary.

From the lush valleys of Darjeeling to the snow-clad highlands of Sikkim, Gorkha soldiers have formed the backbone of India’s most trusted regiments. Their service spans centuries from fighting in both World Wars, to taking part in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, to playing critical roles in Kargil and modern-day border conflicts. The Gorkha Rifles are among the most elite and battle-hardened forces in the Indian Army. Feared by enemies and respected by allies, their motto “Better to die than be a coward” is not just a line it’s a way of life engraved in their blood.

But Darjeeling’s legacy doesn’t stand alone. Sikkim, since its formal integration into India in 1975, has contributed equally to the national spirit. The Lepcha and Bhutia communities have embraced military service with pride and dignity. Sikkim’s unique geography and high-altitude terrain have produced soldiers highly skilled in mountain warfare and glacier combat, two domains that are increasingly crucial in India’s defense strategy especially against Chinese aggression on Himalayan frontiers.

Together, Darjeeling and Sikkim represent more than scenic beauty and tourism. They are India’s eastern sentinels watchful, unwavering, and fiercely loyal. If anyone underestimates the strength of these hills, they’ve clearly never met the warriors who guard them.

A Resurgent Northeast

What unites all of these communities? A deep, undeniable patriotism. Yes, Northeast India has faced neglect, insurgency, and political betrayal. But in the past two decades, it has risen. Today, young people from Arunachal, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, and Sikkim are not only enlisting in the armed forces—they are excelling in civil services, sports, and science. Flags wave proudly in Aizawl, Kohima, and Imphal. Streets echo with national songs. Tricolors are painted on rocks and rooftops. This is not a region waiting to be saved—it is one guarding the nation’s gates.

So to those who warn that “Northeast India will be attacked,” let us remind you: this region has always been the first to be attacked—and the first to stand and fight back. It is not the backyard of India. It is the spearhead, the shield, the spine. And unlike many parts of the subcontinent where radicalism festers, here lives a nationalism that is proud but not toxic, firm but not fanatical.

Because no, we are not jingoistic. We are nationalistic.

And if anyone dares to test us—they’ll find the warriors of the East waiting.