A History of Assam c12.21

c12.21

Both parties now seem to have grown tired of the war; and Lakshmi Nārāyan, Raja of Koch Bihār, with the consent of the Nawāb of Dacca, sent one Biro Kāzi to Pratāp Singh to offer his services as mediator. Biro Kāzi was kept in confinement, but the news of the effort to open negotiations reached Sattrajit, the Thānādar of Pāndu. This man's loyalty to the Muhammadans was doubtful; and he had for some time evaded the payment of the stipulated tribute. He was afraid of what would happen to himself if the Muhammadans were to make peace with the Ahoms, and he accordingly sent men to Lāngi Bar Phukan to signify his desire to be accepted as his friend. He exchanged presents with Pratāp Singh and sent his five-year old son to pay him homage. But Sattrajit was a traitor by nature, and, as he had been false to the Muhammadans, so now he intrigued with the officials of the Ahoms. The Nawāb of Dacca sent fresh messengers to Pratāp Singh, but the Bar Phukan, at Sattrajit's instigation, misrepresented the object of their visit, and they were accordingly sent back without obtaining an audience of the king.