A History of Assam c18.3

c18.3

But from 1714 onwards the narrative is fairly continuous, and many of the events detailed in it are proved to have occurred by the independent records maintained by the kings of Ava. The year in question was marked by the accession of Pamheiba, who is reputed to have been a Nāga chief, and who subsequently became a convert to Hinduism, taking the name Gharib Nawāz or “patron of the poor.” His people followed his example; and they are now conspicuous for the rigidity with which they observe the rules of caste and of ceremonial purity. They call themselves Kshatriyas, and are supported in their claim by the degraded Brāhmans who serve them, and who, after giving the State its present name and identifying it with the Manipur of the *Mahābhārat*,* have invented a legend that the people are descended from the hero Arjun by a Nāga woman, with whom he cohabited during his alleged sojourn in this neighbourhood.