A History of Assam c12.23

c12.23

Another expedition. After some years, the relations of the Ahoms with the Nawāb again became strained. The author of the *Pādishāhnāmah* blames Sattrajit for this, saying that, on the occasion of Islām Khān’s appointment to Bengal, he made common cause with Dharma Nārāyan, and instigated him to profit by the change of governors and push forward his boundary, so as to include the south-eastern parganas of the modern district of Goālpāra. There were also other causes of friction. Some Muhammadan subjects were killed in Ahom territory, but Pratāp Singh disclaimed all knowledge of the occurrence and refused to give redress. A defaulting fiscal officer under the Nawāb, named Harikesh, was given shelter by Pratāp Singh, who refused to surrender him, alleging that the Nawāb had similarly taken under his protection fugitives from his kingdom. This led to a fresh war. A force was despatched in 1635 to seize Harikesh by force, but it was opposed by the Ahoms and defeated near the Bharali river.