History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c41.s9: §17. His march to Tipam.
History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c41.s9
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§17. His march to Tipam.
v3.c41.s9.1
Mir Jumla now resumed the offensive.* On 10th November, a flotilla left Garhgaon under Abul Hasan, made its way up the Dilli river from its mouth and took the Baduli Phukan’s trenches in the extreme rear, routing the Ahoms after an obstinate fight. But the enemy’s lines at that place were 20 miles from Garhgaon. So, on the 16th Mir Jumla himself set out to drive the enemy off and hunt the Rajah out of Namrup. After taking the Baduli Phukan’s entrenchments north-east of Garhgaon, he arrived at the Dihing on 20th November, and then by way of Solaguri at Tipam, on the other side of the river (18th December). This was destined to be the farthest point of his advance.
v3.c41.s9.2
On 20th November he had a fainting fit. “This was the beginning of the disease of which he was to die." But he clung tenaciously to his purpose, and continued to lead the army. On 30th November the Baduli Phukan came over to the Mughal side, and was highly rewarded and made the Emperor's viceroy for Eastern Assam. More Ahom notables followed his profitable example of desertion, and Jayadhwaj was left helpless and alone in the pestilential hills of Namrup.* The Baduli Phukan soon raised a local levy of three to four thousand men and accompanied the Mughal Van in an attempt to hunt his former master down.
v3.c41.s9.3
∗ Mughals resume the offensive at the end of the rainy season, Fathiyah, 139-153; Buranji from Khunlung and Khunlai, ii. 4-9.
v3.c41.s9.4
But on 10th December, Mir Jumla had a severe attack of illness; a burning fever seized him, to which pleurisy was soon added. Still he persisted in advancing, and reached Tipam on the 18th. But the entire army refused to enter Namrup, whose very air was said to be fatal to all forms of life, and where no provision could come from outside by land or water.† The soldiers and officers alike plotted to desert their general and return home. But Dilir Khan quieted them and at the same time counselled Mir Jumla to give up his purpose.
v3.c41.s9.5
∗ Desertion of Ahom nobles, Fathiyah, 96, 147-150; Buranji viii. 92-93; Khunlung & Khunlai, ii. 1-2, 6-8 (long list of traitors). "On hearing the news of Baduli Phukan having been made Rajah [of Namrup under Mughal suzerainty] half the men left the king." (p. 8).
v3.c41.s9.6
† Their desire to escape from Assam was sharpened by the news that owing to a famine in Dacca no grain could be expected from Bengal, and that even the fleet at Lakhau had been put on reduced rations and the sailors were despondent. (Fathiyah, 149).