A History of Assam c12.162

c12.162

The army. “Six or seven thousand Assamese always stand guard round the abode and bedroom of the Raja, and these are called *Chaudangs*. They are the devoted and trusted servants of the Raja and are his executioners. The weapons of war are matchlocks, cannon, arrows with and without iron heads, short swords, spears and long and crossbows. In time of war all the inhabitants of the kingdom have to go to battle, whether they wish it or not; like jackals they set up a concerted howl, all at the same time, and deliver a great assault. These jackal-hearted people imagine that by means of such shouts they would frighten the lions of the forest of battle and tigers of the plain of fight. A very small number of their soldiers often checkmate thousands in battle. But those of their warriors and heroes who attack the enemy with sword and arrow and boldly pierce the enemy's ranks, belong to the race of genuine Assamese, and these probably do not number more than 20,000 men.* They mostly engage in battle and night attacks on a Tuesday which they consider an auspicious day. The common people either fight and are defeated, or flee without fighting, fixing in their mind's eye the purport of the verse: “Those who had fear gained safety, while the fearless were destroyed,” they throw away all their arms and escape.