Muntakhab al-lubab 41: Campaign of Khdn-khdndn Muazzam Khdn (Mir Jumla) against Assam.

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[vol. ii. p. 130.] The country of Asham (Assam) lies to the east and north of Bengal between long ranges of hills. Its length is nearly 100 jaribi kos, and its width from the mountains on the north to those on the south side is eight days' journey. It is said to be the native land of Piran Waisiya, the wazir of Afrasiyab, and the Raja of the country traces his descent from this Piran. In the beginning the Rajas were fire-worshippers, but in course of time they became identified with the idolaters of Hind. * * It is the established practice in that country that every individual pays annually one tola of gold-dust to the government of the Raja. * * When the Raja of that country or a great zamindar dies, they dig a large tomb or apartment in the earth, and in it they place his wives and concubines, as also his horses and equipage, carpets, vessels of gold and silver, grain, etc., all such things as are used in that country, the jewels worn by wives and nobles, perfumes and fruit, sufficient to last for several days. These they call the provisions for his journey to the next world, and when they are all collected the door is closed upon them. It was in consequence of this custom that the forces of Khan-khanan obtained such large sums of money from under ground. The country of Kamrup borders upon Assam, and the two countries are friendly. For the last twenty years the people of this country had been refractory. They were in the habit of attacking the Imperial territories in the province of Bengal, and of carrying off the ryots and Musulmans as prisoners. So great injury was done to life and property, and great scandal was cast upon the Muhammadan religion.
Islam Khan, Subadar of Bengal, led an army against the country in the reign of Shah Jahan, but he was recalled and appointed to the office of wazir before the work was accomplished. Afterwards Shuja' went to seek refuge with the Zamindar of Rakhang, who was one of the zamindars of those parts, and his fate was never ascertained. After Khan-khanan had settled the affairs of Dacca and other parts of Bengal, he resolved upon marching against Assam, and began to collect men and supplies for the campaign. When the Raja of Assam and the Zamindar of Kuch Bihar, named Bhim Narain, heard of this, they were greatly alarmed, and wrote penitent letters making submission and seeking forgiveness. * * * These were forwarded to the Emperor, but orders were sent to Khan-khanan for the extermination of both of them. So he marched against that country with artillery, provisions for sieges, and a number of boats, which are of great importance for carrying on war in those parts. [Long details of the campaign.] Khan-khanan had the khutba read and money coined in the name of the Emperor. He set aside the government of the Raja, and was desirous of pursuing him; but the rainy season was coming on, and in that country it lasts five months, and rains almost incessantly night and day. * * Large quantities of gold and silver were obtained from the places of sepulture.
* * Khan-khanan left the commander of his artillery in the conquered fortress of Ghar-ganw to take charge of it, and to get his guns in order, for artillery is all-important in that country. The Khan then retired thirty kos and a half from Ghar-ganw to Mathura-pur, which is situated at the foot of a hill, and is not liable to inundation. There he found cantonments in which to pass the rainy season. For seven or eight kos round he stationed outposts under experienced officers to guard against surprise by the Assamese. The infidels repeatedly made attacks on dark nights, and killed many men and horses.