A History of Assam c14.100

c14.100

Meanwhile Badan Chandra had struck up a friendship with the Calcutta Agent of the Burmese Government, and, having failed in his endeavour to obtain the intervention of the British, he went with this man to the Court of Amarapura, where he was accorded an interview with the Burmese king. He repeated his misrepresentations regarding the conduct of the Burhā Gohāin, alleging that he had usurped the king's authority, and that owing to his misgovernment, the lives of all, both high and low, were in danger. At last he obtained a promise of help. Towards the end of the year 1816 an army of about eight thousand men was despatched from Burma. It was joined *en route* by the chiefs of Mungkong, Hukong and Manipur, and, by the time Nāmrup was reached, its numbers had swollen to about sixteen thousand. The Burhā Gohāin sent an army to oppose the invaders. A battle was fought at Ghilādhāri in which the Burmese were victorious. At this juncture the Burhā Gohāin died or, as some say, committed suicide by swallowing diamonds. His death was a great blow to the Ahom cause. He had proved his capacity in many a battle, and the whole nation had confidence in him. His eldest son, who was appointed to succeed him, was untried, and there was no other leader of proved ability. In spite of