A History of Assam c13.72

c13.72

The progress of the Bar Phukan's army may now be briefly described. Starting from Jāgi he marched to Gobha and conciliated the chief of that place by presents.* At Hātibāndha, 19 miles from Gobhā, the Jaintias made a demonstration against some detachments that were engaged in clearing the jungle, but retreated when they saw the strength of the Ahom army. Eight miles further on, at Athitbhagā, they attacked the Ahoms, but were defeated and retreated, carrying their killed and wounded with them. At Lachor hill another and more determined onslaught was made by a stronger force, which was accompanied by some elephants. The Ahoms, taken by surprise, wavered, but rallied and eventually drove back their opponents. The victory, however, was by no means decisive, and the Jaintias made a fresh stand at the Buritikar hill, about two miles away, where they occupied some stockades which they had previously prepared. The Ahoms, who had exhausted a great part of their ammunition, waited for a fresh supply. When this was received, they attacked the stockade, on a day chosen by the astrologers as auspicious, and drove out the Jaintias, who, however, at once occupied three new stockades five miles away, on the bank of the Barpāni river. They now tried to stop the further advance of the Ahoms by promising to give up the Kachāri king if they would return to Gobhā, but the Bar Phukan refused to negotiate and at once advanced to the attack. The stockades were taken, and from this time there was no further active opposition. On reaching Pavanāi, the Bar Phukan heard of the arrival of the Bar Barua at Jaintiapur and hastened to join him there.