A History of Assam c14.6

c14.6

This abortive rising was followed, early in 1786, by a more serious revolt of the Moāmariās on the north bank of the Lohit. An expedition which was despatched to quell it was cut up, and many other malcontents then flocked to the rebel camp. Fresh troops were sent, but they too were defeated in an engagement near the Garaimāri bil. The chiefs of Rāni, Luki and Beltolā were asked for help, and sent up a force, which was at once despatched to Pahumāra in the Mājuli. The Moāmariās responded by crossing the Lohit at Gorāmur and attacking the Gorāmur sattra, which was taken after a feeble resistance by the Gosāin's disciples. They then marched against the Gauhāti levies and put them to flight with heavy loss. The remnant of the royalist army on the north bank, on hearing of these disasters, recrossed the Lohit and the Dihing* and joined the Burhā Gohāin, who was in command of another force, and had entrenched himself at Sonāri. He was in his turn attacked and defeated; he retreated, first to Gaurisāgar and then to Rangpur, where he rejoined the king. He was closely followed by the Moāmariās, who laid waste the country and burnt the villages along their line of march. They made their headquarters at Bhatiāpār, and defeated in turn several forces sent against them. They were, however, foiled in an attempt to take Rangpur and fell back to the Mājuli. Gaurināth now sent urgent appeals for help to the Bar Phukan at Gauhāti, and also to the Manipuri, Kachāri and Jaintia kings, but meanwhile the Moāmariās again advanced, along the bank of the Jhānsi river, and, bearing down all resistance, appeared before the gates of Rangpur.