History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c41.s5.9

v3.c41.s5.9

The rainy season was approaching, and Mir Jumla made his arrangements for going into cantonments and keeping hold of the country. Owing to the shallowness of the Dikhu river on which Garhgaon stood, the fleet could not sail up to that town, but had to halt some 18 miles north-west, at Lakhau, which stood at the junction of the old beds of the Brahmaputra and Dihing rivers. The army, however, could not leave Garhgaon, as the immense booty seized there could not be removed for want of transport and the elephants,—the richest portion of the spoils,—took time to be trained for marching. The Nawab with the main army went into quarters at Mathurapur, a village lying on a high ground, seven miles s. e. of Garhgaon (31st March). The Ahom capital, containing all the artillery, elephants, stores and property of the Mughal army, was held by a strong garrison under Mir Murtaza. Many outposts were set up: north of Garhgaon at Ramdang and Trimohani up to the point where the Dikhu falls into the Dihing; westwards at Gajpur and Dewalgaon on the way to Lakhau: southwards at Deopani and Silpani up to the skirt of the Tiru hills; and eastwards at Abhaypur, 16 miles from Garhgaon on the Namrup side. A body of sturdy men from