A History of Assam c13.64

c13.64

While these events were in progress, the Kachāri king Tāmradhvaj had fled to Bikrampur, in the plains portion of what is now the district of Cachar, whence he sent an urgent appeal for help to Rām Singh, Raja of Jaintia. The latter collected an army, but, before he could march, Tāmradhvaj sent a second message, reporting that the Ahom forces had been withdrawn and saying that he was no longer in need of help. Rām Singh was now guilty of an act of gross treachery. The Ahoms had dispersed the Kachāri troops, and it occurred to him that, if he could obtain possession of the person of the Kachāri king, he would be able also to become master of his kingdom. He marched to Mulāgul and, under the pretext of a friendly meeting at Bālesvar, seized Tāmradhvaj and carried him off to his capital at Jaintiapur, in the plains country north of the Surma river, now known as the Jaintia parganas. Several members of his family, who were induced to join him there, were also placed in close confinement, and the Kachāri frontier forts at Bandasil and Ichchhāmati were attacked and taken.