History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c41.s5.1

v3.c41.s5.1

After a 16 days' stay the general left Kuch Bihar (4th January, 1662), absorbed Rashid Khan's detachment at Rangamati, and invaded Assam. "On account of the jungles and numerous nalas the daily progress did not exceed 4 or 5 miles." The men had to go through unspeakable fatigue which the Commander-in-Chief shared with the humblest private. His resolution bore down all opposition of Nature and man. The Ahom army, devastated by cholera, offered a feeble resistance, always retreating before the invaders or being routed with heavy slaughter. The Muslims advanced* victoriously up the Brahmaputra, carrying all the stockades, trenches and holes full of bamboo spikes on the way. Fort after fort was occupied,—Jogigupha at the mouth of the Monas river (20th January), Gauhati, Srighat at the mouth of the Bar Nadi (5th Feb.), Pandu, Beltala, and Kajali at the mouth of the Kallang,—most of which the enemy had evacuated in terror. Some of the feudal lords of Assam—e.g., the Rajahs of Darrang and Dimarua, now deserted to the Mughals.