A History of Assam c12.92

c12.92

When news of this fresh misfortune reached Kājali, the panic-stricken Ahoms left it and fled to Sāmdhara, at the mouth of the Bharali river. Strenuous efforts were here made to arrest the further progress of the Muhammadans. The army was divided into two parts, one of which, under the command of Bhebā and the Bar Gohāin, with the Tipām Raja, the Barpātra Gohāin and other officers, was posted on the north bank, while the other part, under the Bhitaruāl Gohāin, assisted by the Bar Phukan, the Sadiya Khowā Gohāin and others, was stationed on the south bank. The fortifications of Sāmdhara, and of Simlagarh on the opposite side of the river, were strengthened and surrounded by trenches, in front of which holes were dug and planted with pānjis. In the meantime, after halting three days at Gauhāti, where the Darrang Raja came in and made his submission,* Mir Jumlah started on his march for Garhgāon, the Ahom capital. Half way to Sāmdhara the whole army crossed to the south bank in boats, the passage occupying two days. The Dimarua Raja sent in his nephew to attend on the Nawāb and explained his own absence on the ground of sickness. One night there was a very violent storm on the river and a number of the ships accompanying the expedition were upset. There was also a panic among the horses, many of which jumped into the river.