A History of Assam c12.108

c12.108

By this time the rains had set in; locomotion became difficult, and the real troubles of the invaders began. The Ahoms, although no longer willing to hazard a general engagement, had not been crushed and were by no means inclined to submit to a permanent occupation of their country; and they took advantage of the inclemency of the season to cut off communications and supplies, to seize and kill all stragglers from the main body, and to harass the Muhammadan garrisons by repeated surprises, especially at night. A successful night attack was made upon Gajpur, and the troops there were all killed. Sarandāz Khān, who was sent to retake the place, could not reach it without ships. Muhammad Murād was accordingly sent with reinforcements and ships, but Sarandāz Khān quarrelled with him and turned back. He therefore pushed forward alone, but perished with most of his men in a night attack; his whole fleet was captured and the sailors were almost all killed. At Deopāni the Ahoms threw up trenches round the Muhammadan fort and were continually on the alert to take it by assault, but in this case, a disaster was averted by the timely arrival of reinforcements.