A History of Assam c13.77

c13.77

They would fain have attempted to rescue their Raja as he was being taken to Gobhā, but the force escorting him was too strong, and they were afraid to risk an encounter. Shortly afterwards, however, a simultaneous attack was made on the eight forts in which the Bar Phukan had left garrisons on his way through the hills. Three of these forts were taken unawares and were captured by the Jaintias, who put the defenders to death. The other garrisons succeeded in repelling the first attack, but, being without a sufficient supply of food and ammunition, were soon obliged to retreat. At the same time a small detachment, which was taking the copper image of the Goddess Jaintesvari to Rudra Singh, was attacked and put to flight and the image was rescued. The survivors of this detachment, and of the various garrisons, rallied at Nartung, and held it for a time, but they eventually beat a retreat towards Gobhā. On their way they were attacked again. The officers did their utmost to preserve order, but in vain. The soldiers, seized with panic, broke and fled, hotly pursued by the Jaintias. Most of them were put to death, but a few escaped to Saralpāni whence they, with the garrison of that fort, made their way to Sarupāni; here they remained till rescued by the troops who had taken the Jaintia Raja to Gobhā.