A History of Assam c14.55

c14.55

Gaurināth, who had remained with the boats which were being brought up the Dikhu, reached Rangpur on the 21st March. On his arrival, Captain Welsh held a grand durbar and, in the presence of the nobles, asked the Raja if he could now dispense with the help of British troops. The answer was an emphatic negative. The Raja and his ministers were unanimous in asserting that, if they were withdrawn, the country would inevitably return to a state of anarchy. Welsh, therefore, decided to complete the pacification of the Moāmariās. Before resorting to force, he made a fresh attempt to obtain a peaceful settlement, and he induced the Raja to write to the rebels promising them pardon if they would come in. Welsh himself guaranteed the fulfilment of this promise. He waited a month for an answer, but none was received, and it became clear that the Moāmariās would never submit until they were thoroughly beaten. On the 19th April, Welsh despatched three companies to attack their head-quarters at Bāgmāra near Rangpur, but it had not proceeded many miles when orders were received from Government prohibiting further offensive operations, and it was accordingly recalled to Rangpur.