Who among the following were famous for their metal-casting skills and used to cast excellent matchlocks during the medieval period?

During the medieval period, the Ahoms of Assam were renowned for their exceptional metal-casting skills and the production of high-quality firearms. While the Mughals and Portuguese introduced advanced artillery and matchlocks to the Indian subcontinent, the Ahoms independently developed a sophisticated indigenous industry for manufacturing gunpowder and casting matchlocks. Historical records indicate that the Ahoms were proficient in casting large cannons and excellent matchlocks, which played a crucial role in their successful resistance against Mughal expansion. Their expertise in metallurgy allowed them to produce durable barrels and intricate firing mechanisms. In contrast, while the Marathas and Sikhs later adopted European drilling systems and matchlock technology, the specific reputation for casting 'excellent matchlocks' as a hallmark of indigenous metal-casting skill is most prominently associated with the Ahom kingdom's military-industrial capabilities.

Sources

1. [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 3: Advent of the Europeans in India > Significance of the Portuguese > p. 34