A History of Assam c12.11

c12.11

The invaders reached Koliabar by way of the Kallang river. The Ahoms met them at the mouth of the Bharali, but the Mughals, having taken advantage of a fog to cross their horses over the river in boats, won the first battle. They did not follow up their victory, and another Ahom army soon reached the Bharali. Its commander was afraid to attack, and remained inactive, in spite of stringent orders to the contrary from Pratāp Singh. He was superseded, and his successor, acting on the advice of Akhek Gohāin, who had deserted from the enemy on receiving a promise of pardon, surprised the Muhammadans in a night attack, both by land and water, and totally defeated them. The fugitives were overtaken and surrounded, and Saiad Abā Bakr and many other leaders were either killed in the battle or captured and put to death.* Sattrajit's son, who was among the prisoners, was sacrificed to the goddess Kāmākhyā. The heads of the slain were piled up in heaps. An immense amount of booty fell into the hands of the Ahoms, including elephants, horses, and a large number of warships, boats, cannon, guns and other munitions of war. Pratāp Singh returned to his capital in triumph and performed the Rikkhvān ceremony.