A History of Assam c12.27

c12.27

In the meantime, Abdussalām, the Musalman governor of Hājo, had sent an urgent request for reinforcements to the Nawāb, Islām Khān, who despatched to his assistance one thousand horse and one thousand matchlock men, under Saiad Zainul-ābidin, together with two hundred and ten war sloops and boats and a large supply of ammunition, weapons and money. On the arrival of these reinforcements, it was arranged that Abdussalām should remain in occupation of Hājo, whilst Zainul-ābidin endeavoured to push his ships as far as Srighāt in order to keep the Ahoms at bay. The first engagement was fought a little to the west of Pāndu, and the Ahoms, who had left their fortified camps and advanced to the attack, were defeated, after a severe fight, with the loss of four ships and a few cannon. The Bar Phukan’s son, who commanded the Ahom troops, was shot whilst trying to rally his men. Their two camps were promptly destroyed by the Muhammadans, and two days later they were driven from Agiathuti. Their fort at Srighāt was then besieged. For three days they kept the Muhammadans at bay, but on the arrival of twenty sloops with fresh troops, the latter renewed the attack, and the Ahoms, whose ammunition was running short, were forced to retreat. When the news of these reverses reached Pratāp Singh, he at once despatched strong reinforcements. On their arrival, the Ahoms once more advanced and drove the Muhammadan fleet back to Suālkuchi. It is recorded in one of the Buranjis that a Feringi, or European, in the service of the Muhammadans, who had gone off by himself to shoot birds, was captured and sent to the Ahom king. This is the first instance recorded of a European entering Ahom territory. At this juncture, the branch of the Brahmaputra which flows past Hājo dried up, and as this rendered mutual succour in case of attack impossible, Abdussalām sent orders to Zainul-ābidin to join him at Hājo. This he did, leaving the fleet in charge of Muhammad Sālih Kambu, Sattrajit and Majlis Bāyazid.