 In 1799, Reza invaded the Kachari Kingdom, which was referred to as his "hijrat", in order to gain a larger following before facing the British in a war.He claimed to be the Mahdi (promised messiah), twelfth imam, promising to free the peasants from oppression.By making a deal with the Nagas and Kukis who were allied with the Kachari Raja, he was able to convince them to join his side.