a declaration could create confusion in the royalist camp, fore these princes. Especially Mohanmala Gohain, were extremely popular and their banishment was considered as an act of grave injustice on the part of Ahom government. This had desired effect on the royalist camp. Considering the gravity of the situation, the king summoned a meeting of the nobles to discuss measures to be taken against the rebles, Whereas a few among them could realise that the rebellion was of a serious nature and quelled by peace overtures, others like Kirti Chandra Barbarua, over confident of success underestimated the strength of the rebels and pursuance of arms. Accordingly, a fresh army of 14,000 strong was despatched under the command of Harnath Senapati Phukan. The royalist then built a bridge of boat across the river Secha and advanced towards the rebels, who them destroyed the bridge and intercepted their movement. This had put the royalist into serious straits: there was acute shortage of food followed by an outbreak of fever and dysentery. The Phukan, who, despite al these miseries, was resolved to fight, was arrested by the rebels and put under sonfinment. His soldiers then immediately surrendered to the Moamariyas. The news had unnerved Lakshmi Singha. He then sent orders to Duara Barphukan of Guwahati to recuirt soldiers from the vassal states of Rani, Luki and Topakuchi, as they were not supposed to have sympathy for the rebels. He also sent men to the Manipuri King Jai Singha seeking his help. Meanwhile, the royalist soldiers were defeated by the Moamariyas in several engagements, which created a panic in their camp. It was also found that in many cases the royalist soldier walked over to the side of the rebels or desisted from fighting. Not only the war machine but even the spy system became inoperative as the Moamoriyas disciples serving as attendants of the Barbarua communicated to the rebles all the war-plans of the royal camp. Meanwhile, the triumphant Moamariyas crossed the Charaideo hill on their way to Garhgoan, the old Ahom capital, raising slogans that they would be protected by their own Gurus while the King's swordsmen and matchlockemen, who also were the disciples of their Guru, would work only to bring ruin on the Government and that they would kill or get killed to repay their debt to their Guru In no time the Moamariyas occupied Garhgoan and then Marched towards