A History of Assam c16.47

c16.47

Burmese invasion. Gobind Chandra, on the other hand, having failed to obtain redress in this direction, appealed to the Burmese, who promised to reinstate him; and it was their advance on Cachar with this declared object which led to their first conflict with the British. On learning of the advance of the Burmese, the local officers made overtures to Gambhir Singh, but the latter was averse from an alliance and held secret communication with the Burmese. When these facts were reported to the British Government, the local authorities were informed that it was not the intention of the Government to accord support to any particular chief, but merely to take the country under its protection, so far as was necessary to prevent the Burmese from occupying it. It was added that Gambhir Singh had forfeited all claim to consideration; and eventually, when the Burmese had been driven out, the country was restored, as will be seen further on, to the *de jure* ruler, Gobind Chandra. An undated coin of Gobind Chandra “King of Hidimba” has recently been found by Mr. F. C. Jackson, I.C.S., in the possession of a descendant of his Prime Minister.*