By now, the East India Company had become a power that could no longer be ignored. It had not only staked its claim as a powerful trading company, but had become a centre of power, politically, financially, as well as militarily. Until now, the Company had not evinced much interest in the internal politics of the smaller kingdoms of this region. Though the Company followed a policy of non-interference as the ruler of Bengal, there were times when it had to meddle in the internal affairs of neighbouring Assam and Cooch Behar, even though it never considered either country as a potential political threat. Its main concern was Burma – there had been rumours that the Burmese were planning to attack India. As a keen businessman, Robert was privy to every development. He knew well enough which prince or senior officer of which country was hatching plots against whom. He professionally supported the party that wanted to invade with his team of barkandaz, considering the benefits he would get if they became rulers.

‘Master.’

Robert, his mind preoccupied with strategies, looked at Deodhan.

‘Master, tea?’ Deodhan repeated.

Sipping hot tea from his mug, Robert looked at the captivating beauty of the forest on both banks of the river. Until now Robert had not known much about this area. His business had been confined to Assam. But now he was planning to expand to neighbouring Singpho, and onwards to Burma. Before setting out on this adventure he had collected a mass of information related to the region. It was an exciting territory with lofty mountains and dense forests, inhabited by independent tribes.

The boatmen rowing upstream were cautious. Each of the gunners held a long-barrelled musket; also near at hand were their swords, spears and other weapons.

The Burmese had invaded Assam a couple of years back. It was a long tale of in-fighting among the Ahom kings and their ministers, replete with vicious court intrigues, conspiracies and counter-conspiracies, which finally paved the way for the Burmese, under the command of Mingi Maha Bandula, to invade Assam. The country, especially the upper region, was almost deserted now. Complete anarchy and unrest prevailed in the region. The Burmese army had been raiding the villages, killing and torturing people whom they believed to be loyal to the Ahom king. Very often, the locals too took advantage of the situation, disguising themselves as Burmese and looting and plundering at will. Robert and his group had to be extremely vigilant against the reckless brutality of the Burmese soldiers. Destabilized and impoverished by the political situation, most of the people had fled to the neighbouring hills in different kingdoms. Many Assamese people had been taken away as slaves by the independent Dafla tribes from neighbouring Sadiya, as well as by the Singphos living along the eastern border of Assam. Some officers of the Ahom kingdom continued to plot attacks on the Burmese from their hideouts in the neighbouring region. As a result of this turmoil, Robert’s trade had suffered and was on the decline. He usually traded in European broadcloth, pearls, spices, carpets, coral, mirrors and salt, with salt being the main commodity. But the demand for salt had come down. Normally, once he had sold his goods, Robert would take back muga silk and yarn, ivory, rhino horn and other precious merchandise from Assam. The efforts to expel the Burmese were still ongoing.