A History of Assam c10.77

c10.77

The friction between the cousins continued to increase, and at last, in 1612, Lakshmi Nārāyan went in person to Dacca and begged the Nawāb to intervene. At the same time Raghunāth, Raja of Shushang, near Karaibari, complained of Parikshit’s treatment of him. The Nawāb, Shekh Alāuddin Fathpuri Islām Khān, was glad of the opportunity to humble a Raja who had always prided himself on his independence, and despatched Mukarram Khān to invade Koch Hājo with 300 elephants, 6,000 horse, 10,000 to 12,000 foot and 400 or 500 warships.* Near Sālguna a naval engagement took place, in which Parikshit’s fleet of 300 boats was annihilated. Thence the expedition proceeded by land. The vanguard was commanded by Shaikh Kamal, who marched quickly but cautiously to Hātsilah in the Karaibari pargana, fortifying his encampments with bamboo palisades, according to the custom in that part of the country. He then laid siege to Dhubri, where Parikshit had erected a fort which he held with a garrison of 500 horse and 10,000 foot. An attempt to take it by storm was unsuccessful. Regular siege works were then constructed and at the end of a month the garrison fled. Parikshit sent an envoy to sue for peace; and, in addition to presents to the local commander, paid an indemnity of 100 elephants, 100 ponies and 20 maunds of lignum aloes. The governor of Bengal was informed of this, but sent back word that Parikshit must make his submission in person and cede the whole of his country.