A History of Assam c12.16

c12.16

Meanwhile the Ahoms continued to occupy the positions which they had already taken up. Their instructions were to postpone further action until the receipt of orders from the king, but the appearance of a few Muhammadan horse soldiers was too much for some of the hot-headed commanders, and they pursued them to Hājo.* This place was then assaulted on all sides, by the Ahoms in front, and in the rear by the local levies led by Dharma Nārāyan and a chief named Jadu, who is called by some writers a Chutiya and by others a Kachāri. The attack failed; and the Ahoms retreated to Srighāt, closely followed by the Muhammadans, who defeated them in several engagements. The Burhā Gohāin was taken prisoner; a large number of soldiers were killed and wounded, and nine elephants and many ships and guns were captured by the enemy. On receiving news of this disaster, Pratāp Singh ordered his scattered forces to rally at Sāmdhara. An enquiry was made, and the officers responsible for the neglect of the king's orders were beheaded or starved to death. According to one account the Bar Gohāin and Sāring Raja were deprived of their offices and confined in the royal pigsties.