478 Report of an Expedition into the Mishmee Hills. [No. 163. 



pie that is situated on a branch of this stream called the Sutrung, I 

 ascended the river in the smaller boats, and finding that the water in the 

 Sutrung was only a few inches deep, I was obliged to wade up this 

 stream ; but from the jungle having become excessively dense, and 

 having no person with me who knew exactly the position of the Tem- 

 ple, I was obliged to give up the attempt and return to the mouth of 

 the river, unsuccessful and disappointed. 



The erection of this building is ascribed to a demi-god, named Pura- 

 houtan, who, falling in love with the goddess Khaisa Kattee, undertook at 

 her commands to build her a temple in the space of one night, which if 

 he succeeded in completing he was to obtain her hand in marriage, but 

 failing in his task was to give himself up to be devoured by her. On 

 these terms, Purahoutan commenced his undertaking, and had completed 

 the Temple with the exception of the doors, when the sun being made 

 to rise before its time he was obliged to fly to the woods ; but, being 

 soon after overtaken by his beloved, was then and there devoured as a 

 morning repast. 



The Temple* is called the Tama-suree, being partly made of copper ; 

 and at so late a period as a little upwards of twenty years ago, two human 

 beings were sacrificed yearly at her shrine to propitiate the good 

 auspices of this sanguinary goddess. Near the mouth of the Dhollee 

 are yet visible the remains of the residence of the Chutteeah Rajas, 

 whose rule is said to have extended over the whole valley of Assam 

 as far as Gowalpara, but which was terminated by the invasion of the 

 Ahoms, who crossed the hills from Moonkong. 



Nov. 25th. — As we had now fairly got into the rapids of the Bur- 

 hampooter, where it was necessary for the boatmen to be constantly 

 in the water, I stopped to cook before setting off, as the weather being 

 cold the men did not like wading, until they had fortified themselves 

 with some food. I managed, however, to get off by 8 o'clock, and before 

 midday had passed the ' mouths of the Khairam and Degoroo rivers. 

 The banks of the Burhampooter are here principally wooded with the 



* A remnant of the priests of this Temple, who call themselves Dolyes, have lately 

 come to Lieut. Dalton's notice at Luckimpoor. They are of Chooteeah origin : they 

 boast of the human sacrifices, and say the discontinuance of them has been the cause 

 of all the misfortunes of Assam. Lieut. Dalton promises some particulars of these 

 Chooteeahs, the last great race who held possession of the north bank of Upper As- 

 sam at an earlv date.— F. J. 



