Indische Palaographie von circa 350 a. Chr. – circa 1300 p. Chr. c48.s6.31.3

c48.s6.31.3

From these it appears that they left Mogaung on the Irawadi about 1228, in consequence of a dynastic dispute, and crossed the Patkāi into the north-east corner of the province which now bears their name. By 1500 they had subjugated the Cūtiyā; and forty years later, the Kacāri or Bōdo dominion fell to them. They recovered from a severe defeat at the hands of the Kōc, and repulsed on several occasions an invasion by the Muslim, getting possession of the valley as far west as Gauhāti, and later, to near Goālpāra. Their decline set in on the conversion of the Chief to Brāhmanism. Discontent arose amongst those who would not follow his example. Some rebelled; the seat of government was withdrawn down the valley; the Burmese were called in, and ended in absorbing the whole kingdom, until the British took possession. It seems that the Āhōm were divided into classes but whether these were endogamous or not is uncertain. The highest class comprises the Chief's family and six or seven others of rank. The middle class is divided functionally, and the third comprises all who are bound to render services to the Chief. There were also Levitical or priestly families. In the present day the distinctions based on occupation and on service formerly rendered are dying out. The whole tribe has become to a greater or less extent Brāhmanised; that is, the spiritual authority of a Gōsāī is acknowledged, and some changes in diet are gradually adopted.