A History of Assam c10.83

c10.83

But the Koches were by no means prepared to accept Mughal domination. They rose under various leaders and inflicted several defeats on Mughal detachments on both banks of the Brahmaputra. Reinforcements were sent up from Bengal, and some success had been obtained, when dissensions broke out among the Muhammadan commanders. On the defeat of Parikshit, his brother Bali Nārāyan* had fled to the Ahom king, Pratāp Singh, who gave him shelter. This and other causes of offence led the governor of Bengal to decide on the invasion of the Ahom country, which will be described in Chapter VI. On hearing that Aba Baqar had been appointed to the command of the invading force, Abdus Salam and several high officers at Hājo left their posts in disgust. Mirza Sahin, however, with the aid of Lakshmi Nārāyan, captured one of the Koch leaders, but another, named Sanātan besieged the Muhammadan revenue collector. Abdul Bāqi was ordered to go from Kelah to his assistance, and advanced by river, while Mirza Sahin marched by land. After capturing a Koch fort on Kāwarhada hill, on the bank of the Brahmaputra, Abdul Bāqi was held up at Barnagar until Sahin arrived to support him. He then established himself at Hājo. In the desultory fighting which followed, the Mughals were gradually gaining the upper hand when news arrived of the annihilation of Aba Baqar's army. A naval force was sent up the Brahmaputra but rescued less than two thousand who had fled from the field of battle.