History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c41.s2.11

v3.c41.s2.11

The weak point of the Ahom kingdom was its diversity of population. The dominant race was the Ahoms, whom the Muhammadan historian calls "the true Assamese" and whose high qualities have been described above. The middle stratum of the population was composed of the Assamese proper,—plainsmen with many Bengal affinities, defective in physical strength, endurance and martial spirit. At the bottom of society lay a vast body of slaves, some being Mongoloid serfs, but most being Bengali prisoners of war. These last were unwilling dwellers in the land, and at the first shock of foreign invasion rose against their masters. (*Fathiyah*, 64, 44, 48—49.)