1847-] Periplus of the Erythrean Sea, <J»c. 57 



utmost limits of Assam — forming a part of the southern boundaries 

 of the Bootan dominions. " A modern causeway formed by Fertaub- 

 sing, which runs from Coosbeyhar through the whole extent of 

 Assam to Sadiya, forms the boundaries of Dehrung on the north." 

 The Okkooruralee causeway is mentioned as separating the country of 

 Ranigawn from Beltola. " The famous causeway of Rangulighur, 

 which divides the district of Coliabur on the east from Upper Assam, 

 is described as a rampart which runs from Colone near its junction with 

 the Brahmaputra during a course of ten miles to the southern moun- 

 tains." " A great causeway or high road raised to preserve the inte- 

 rior from the inundation of the river Dehing" is mentioned as situated 

 in Khonani. It is described " as a work of immense labour." Rung- 

 pore, the capital of Assam, is said to have had the Duburriunniali ram- 

 part, or high road, as its security or defence on the east. It is further 

 stated that the banks of the river Dikho, near which the fortress of 

 Rungpore stands, " are connected by a lofty rampart with the southern 

 mountains through an extent of ten or fifteen miles. It was construct- 

 ed in remote antiquity for the protection of Gourgown, which was the 

 principal residence of the monarch, and all the great officers of state."* 

 These causeways, besides constituting roads and dams to protect the 

 low country from inundation, served also as defences, for which purpose 

 they were surmounted with palisades of bamboos. Mahomed Cazim 

 describes a high broad causeway leading from Salagereh to Gkergong, a 

 distance of about fifty coss (one hundred miles), each side of which, he 

 remarks, " is planted with shady bamboos, the tops of which meet and 

 are intertwined." He further describes the latter city as encompassed 

 with a fence of bamboos, and states that within it are high and broad 

 causeways for the convenience of passengers during the rainy season. 

 " The Raja's palace is surrounded by a causeway planted on each side 

 with a close hedge of bamboos, which serves instead of a wall, and on 

 the outside there is a ditch which is always full of water. "f Butkhyr 

 Khulijy, who invaded Assam in 1205, mentions stockades which were 

 formed of stakes interwoven with bamboos in that country .J Fitch, 

 also, in describing Coonch (Cooch Behar) remarks : " all the country is 

 set with bamboos or canes made sharp at both ends and driven into the 



* See Wade's Geography of Assam in Martin's Eastern India, Vol. 3. pp. 630, 

 633, 635, 637. f As. Res. Vol. II. p. 179. % Stewart's History of Bengal, 



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