A History of Assam c13.7

c13.7

The king now became seriously ill and sent for his brothers, the Rajas of Tipām and Nāmrup. In anticipation of his early decease, the question of the succession was hotly discussed by the nobles. Some were in favour of one or other of the king's brothers; others pressed the claims of Lādām, his son by the chief queen, and others again urged that the son of Udayāditya should be the next king. The Bar Barua, Debera, foresaw that his position would be one of great danger if the last-mentioned succeeded to the throne, and determined to do all in his power to prevent him from doing so. With this object he collected a band of armed men. The king heard of this and, thinking perhaps that there was a conspiracy on foot against himself, ordered him to be arrested. The Bar Barua, however, was on the alert and put to death the men sent to effect his arrest. He also killed or mutilated some other officers whom he looked on as his enemies, and finally, in March 1675, caused the king to be poisoned.