H. Blochmann — Koch Bihar and A'sdm. 
91 
1872.] 
Kh&n again occupies Dewalgaon. A report of his success was sent to the 
Nawab, who received it in the beginning of pafar [September, 1662] at 
Ghargaon. 
XIII. 
Epidemic at Ghargaon and Mat'lmrdpur. Return of the Nawab. 
Mat’hurapur lies high and was properly speaking an excellent place for 
an encampment. But it was soon found that the air of the surrounding 
jungles and the water from the mountain itself were unhealthy. The 
mountain is called 1 Jur Parbat,’ which in Asamese means 1 fever moun- 
tain.’ The men soon suffered from severe fever, and the casualties became 
numerous. Thus in the beginning of the war, Dilir Khan’s detachment con- 
sisted of nearly 1500 horse ; but at the end of the rains and his expedition to 
Namriip, he only mustered between 4 and 500. Of the people also an unusual 
number died, and Bhor Mall had heard from Phukan Bijdili that the present 
year was exceptionally unfavourable to all. Food, though it was not scarce, 
was limited to a few things, and some articles were only to be had at fabulous 
prices. Thus butter sold at 14 Rupees per ser ; mash, 1 Tt. ; opium tolali, 
1 goldmuhur ; 1 chillum of tobacco, 3 Its. ; dalmung, 10 Its. per ser ; salt, 
30 Its. p er 8er r J '] ]0 only thing the army had was sh&li. Many horses died. 
It was altogether an extraordinary year, and famine even raged in 
Jahangirnagar. 
The Nawab, therefore, found it necessary to leave Mat'hurapur, and 
marched on the 12th Muliarram, 1073, [17th August, 1662] to Ghargaon. 
One fourth of the stores of shall, for want of conveyance, had to he left 
behind. Many wounded and sick people were also left in Mat’huraphr, and 
it has never become known what their fate was, when the Asamese occupied 
the place. Several guns also stuck in the mud,* the cows that pulled them 
having no strength from want of food. At night, the Nawab stayed at a 
house belonging to the Rajah, one kos from Ghargaon, and Dilir Khan who 
commanded the rear, was ordered to look after the guns, as the Nawab had 
resolved to wait where he was till all the guns had been brought up. The 
rain was fearful. Dilir Khan told the Nawab that he would look after 
everything, and on the 13th Muharram, the Nawab entered Ghargaon. 
Immediate attacks of the Asamese followed. In Ghargaon also coarse red 
* Mr. Foster writes from Nazirah — There are numerous large iron gnns in the 
neighbourhood. One seven miles from here is 18' 6" long, 6i" bore, and has 4 trun- 
nions. There are three 14' guns within a quarter mile of my bungalow. They will 
he lost in the River Dik’ho next wet season, being only some 15 feet from the bank 
which is rapidly cutting away. I think they must have been left by the Mughul army, 
when it retreated in 1663. 
