Assam History Book

Chapter II
HISTORY
PRE-HISTORY AND ANCIENT PERIOD

Pre-History of Assam :
Pre-history period is the period which is anterior to recorded history .Sources for study of this period,etc.
Pre-history of Assam, is almost and uninvestigated field of study. Caves, tools and geological stratas of
Paleolithic, Neolithic and chaleolithic ages discovered in the North-East region so far, in combination give an
idea of human habitation in this part of the country in the hoary past. During the past few years, however, several
sites and a large number of tools belonging to the Paleolithic age have been discovered in the Garo hills. Relics
ofthis culture are also found in the Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh and in the excavations of a cave at
Khangkhuti in the Ukhrul Sub-division of Manipur. 1Besides, some caves in the Khasia-Jaintia hills of
Meghalaya,2 in the Mikir hills3 (present Karbi Anglong district) and North Cachar hills 4 with traces of
rudimentary paintings and carvings 5 were discovered and some caves in the undivided district of Kamrup and at
Jogighopa and Surya Pahar in the district of Goalpara are noticed. But these have not been properly studied and
explored yet.
The stone tool so far, collected, in and around Assam,give an idea regarding the Neolithic culture of this
part of India. John Lubbock was the first person to refer to finds of jade neolithic implements in Upper Assam.
In 1872, S.E. Peal reported the find of a celt below the foundation of a tea factory in Upper Assam. In 1875,
Medlicot mentioned the find of a stone hatchet in a tea-estate near Dibrugarh. 6Of the earlier neoliths, there is
very meagre evidence. But some specimen of the later Neolithic period have been discovered and these are
supposed to be made by the speakers of the Mon-khmer Speech which began some time in 2500 B.C. or a little
earlier.
The first large find was made by Mr W. Penny, a tea-planter of Biswanath in the present Sonitpur
District,while digging a ditch in his estate. 7 It had been kept in the Indian Museum,Calcutta,Amongst other
notable persons who had collected a number
1. H.D Sankalia and T.C. Sharma : '' The Prehistoric Age''. The Comprehensive History of Assam.
(ed.(H.K.Barpujari),pp.28-30.
2. Hutton : Journal of the Asiantic Society of Bengal,XXII (NS),p-341
3. R.M. Nath : Journal of the Asiantic Society of Bengal VII., pp.19-23.
4. Ursala Graham Bower : Naga Path, pp.121-129.
5. J.P. Mills : Journal of the Assam Research Society,Vol. 1,pp.3-6.
6. K.L. Baruah: '' Pre-Historic Culture in Assam'',Studies in the Early History of Assam.(ed.)M.
Neog,p.211.
7. A.H. Dani : Proto-history of Eastern India,p.75
HISTORY 103
of materials of neolithic origin,mention may be made of J.H. Hutton, J.P. Mills, G.D. Walker, T.H. Grace, K.L.
Barua and P.C. Choudhury.
Numbering about 385 specimens of stone tools are preserved in the Pitt Rivers Museum,Oxford,and they
come from almost all the regions of North East India,the largest number,156 pieces,being from Biswanath in the
Sonitpur district. J.H. Hutton in his article ''Pre-history of Assam'',classified the ground and polished stone tools
into three types :(1) long,narrow and triangular,(2) more or less rectangular and (3)the shouldered type. Of the
shouldered types,one is found at Kanarpara (Cachar)and one at Biswanath (Sonitpur). Two more stone celts of
that very type were discovered at Singbhum in present Bangladesh. According to La Toche, Beatric, Blackwood
and Smith,these neolithic tools were used by stone-age men in killing their species in combat.
E.A. Gait, explain for non-availability of neolithic and other stone-age evidences in Assam as
follows-''The Brahmaputra Valley is an alluvial country and the impetuous, snow-fed rivers which debouch from
the Himalayas, find so little resistance in its fertile soil that they are constantly carving out new channels and
cutting away their banks,consequently no building erected in their neighbourhood can be expected to remain for
more than a limited time''.8
A.H. Dani divided the erstwhile state of Assam into six district zones for the study of neolithic culture.
They are-
1.Cachar Hills zone
2.Sadiya Frontier zone
3.Naga Hills zone
4.Khasi Hills zone
5.Garo Hills zone
6.Brahmaputra Valley zone.
The grooved hammer stone is peculiar to the Brahmaputra Valley, as no such other neoliths have been
discovered in other parts of Assam. This suggest that the people using this tools,at first,lived in the Brahmaputra
Valley but were forced later to take shelter in the hills. It is certain that they are the pre-Dravidian Neolithic
aborigins,who are now represented by the Austro-Asiatic Mon-Khmer speaking Khasis and Syntengs of
Meghalaya. But linguistically and culturally,this people are akin to Mundas of Chota-Nagpur. 9
In recent years, several neolithic sites have been discovered in this region and excavations were also
undertaken in these cities, viz. (1) Daojali Hading in the North Cachar hills, (2)Sarutaru in the Kamrup district
and (3)Sebalgiri in the Garo hills. Besides, different type of the stone tools, etc.,have been found in all these
excavated sites.10
8. E.A. Gait : A History of Assam,Reprint,1967.p 21.

9. K.L. Barua : Pre-Historic Culture in Assam,Loc,cit.,p 210
10. H.D. Sankalia and T.C. Sharma : ''The Pre-historic Age''. Loc.Cit..pp.31-33
ASSAM STATE GAZETTEER 104
Thus the antiquity of human civilization in Assam has been established beyond doubt by the discovery
of stone celts used by the neolithic people in various part of it. These neoliths as well as linguistic and
morphological evidence prove that the ancient inhabitants of Assam were of the Austric stock and note of the
Dravidian as it was once supposed to be.
The next wave of migration to this country brought the Dravidians, whose history is at least as old as the
Austro-Asiantics. They were cultured people belonging to the Chacolithic age, who, in the remote past, inhabited
Northern India supplanting the Austric races. The Aryans adopted many elements of Dravidian culture and
religion,including the cult of Linga and yoni, The antiquity of this cult in Assam is proved by the temple of
goddess Kamakhya. The Dravidians got so mixes up with the Mongoloids, who came to the Brahmaputra Valley
a little later after them that as a result of their inter-fusion,a new typed called Mongoloi-Dravidian originated.
The Mongoloids belonging to the Tibeto-Burman family of the Indo-Chinese group,who now
predominate the indigenous population of Assam,migrated to this country from their original home in Western
China. To quote S.K. Chatterjee,'' Different branches of the great Sino-Tibetan speaking people which had their
nidus near the head-waters of the Young-tsze-Kiang and the Hoang-Ho rivers, to the west of China, pushed south
and west,probably from 2000 B.C onwards and their tribes of these infiltrated into India mostly along the
western course of the Brahmaputra''. 11They entered Assam through various routes at different times. The Ahoms
of the Tai or Shan group Mongoloids entered Assam in the early part of the 13 th Century. The Khamtis, Phakials,
Aitongs, Khamjangs and Turungs who are of the same origin came to Assam in the 16 th Century or a little later.
Linguistically, the Tibeto-Burmans are divided into two main groups-North Assam and Assam-Burmese.
To the first group belonging the Arunachali tribes like the Adis, Nishis, Akash, Mishings and Mishimis. The
second group includes the Bodos, The Nagas and the Kuki-Chins. The large Bodo group, in its turn, includes
most of the tribes and communities of the North-East region like the Garos, Rabhas, Kacharis, Dimasas,
Chutiyas, Morans, Koches, Hajongs, Lalungs, etc. In classical Indian literature they are called Kiratus
The Aryans were possibly the last to enter Assam. According to S.K. Chaterjee. they arrived in North
Bengal by 700 B.C., if not earlier, 12from where they moved eastward in small groups at different times. Assam's
early contact with the Aryans is borne out by the two great epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharat. According to
the Kalika Purana, Aryan settlements were made by Naraka and Bhagadutta, the early rules of ancient Assam.
The inscriptions of Bhaskaravarman make definite reference to the presence of Aryan settlement of ancient
Assam in the 5th Century A.D.
11. S.K. Chatterjee : The Place of Assam in the History of Civilization of India. University of
Gauhati. 1970. p.9.
12. Ibid., p.7.
HISTORY 105
Among the population of Assam,Alpine or Armenoid and Irano-Scythian are also found to be present. At
what time and by which route,They came to Assam, it is difficult to ascertain.
Thus the process of influx of various races across the borders went on through successive waves and in
course of time, different cultures mingled so thoroughly in the composite Assamese culture that it now becomes
very difficult to distinguish one from the other.
History of Ancient Assam :

Ancient Assam was known as Pragjyotisha in early times and as Kamarupa in later times. The name
Pragjyotisha stood for both the kingdom and capital city. The earliest mention of the city of Pragjyotisha is found
in the Ramayana and Mahabharata. According to the Ramayana,this city was founded by Amurtaraja son of
Kusa and grandfather of the famous stage Viswamitra. There are different options regarding the origin of the
name''Pragjyotisha''. According to the Kalika Purana,''here Brahma first created the stars and hence the city is
called Pragjyoitishpur,a city equal to the city of Indra.'' 13Gait says that the name,Pragjyotishpur ''is interesting in
connection with the reputation in which,the country has always been held as a land of magic and incantation,and
with the view that it was in Assam that the Tantrik from of Hinduisim orginated.'' 14The name
Pragjyotisha,however,is most probably derived from the term Prag-jyotish,meaning the eastern light. Hence it
appears to mean ''the city or land of eastern light.'' 15
The kingdom came to be known as Kamrupa during the Purantic times,based on the legend that
Kamadeva, the god of love, the Indian Cupid,who was destroyed by the fiery glance of Siva returned to life in
this country,16According to B.K. Kakati, the name ''Kamrupa'' is derived from an Austric formation like Kamru
or Kamrut, the name of a lesser divinity in Santali, which justifies the association of the land with magic and
necromancy.17 All this can be explained in the light of the cult of magic and sorcery prevalent in the land. The
first historic reference to the kingdom of Kamarupa is made in the Allahabad Pillar Inscription of Samudragupta,
assigned to the middle of the fourth century A.D.
Geographical Extent :
The geographical extent of the kingdom of Pragjyotish-Kamarupa varied from time
13. K.I.. Barua : Early History of Kamrupa.1996,p.7.

14. E.A. Gait : Op.cit..p.15.
15. D.C. Sircar : ''Pragjyotisha-Kamarupa'',The Comprehensive Historyof Assam,(ed.), H.K.
Barpujari,p.60.
16. K.L.Barua : Op.cit., p.7
17. Ibid : Op.cit.,p.1
to time. But one thing is certain that its northern and south-western limits extended much beyond the present
state of Assam. The references in the Ramayana and the Mahabharata that the country stretched as far as the
sea and that it was a partly hilly country. The Ramayana locates the city of Pragjyotisha on a gold-crested
mountain called Varaha,which was 64 yojans in extent and''which stood or abutted on the fathomless varunalaya
(sea).''In the Mahabharata,Bhagadutta,the king of Pragjyotisha is called Sailyalaya, (dwelling among the
mountains)and refers to his troops as consisting of the Kiratas, Chinas and dwellers of the sea-coast. The Varaha
mountain referred to the Ramayana was possibly the Assam range,while the sea mentioned there was the very
low-lying and water logged country immediately to the south of these hills which in old days was perhaps
connected with the Bay of Bengal by the estuary of the Brahmaputra .This was no doubt '' the eastern sea known
to the ancients''. Kiratas were the Mongoloid people of this region and the Chinas probably meant the Tibetans
and the Bhutanese. The dwellers of the sea coast were evidently the people living in the marshy of Sylhet,
Mymensingh and Tripura.18
On the other hand, it is stated in the Ramayana the Amurtaraja, the founder of Pragjyotisha performed
his austerities on the bank of the Kausika,which indicates that its western limit extended as far as the river Kosi.
On the basis of these references, Pargiter concluded that at the time of the great Mahabharata war,the kingdom of
Pragjyotisha included the greater part of modern Assam,and together with Jalpaiguri,Koch Bihar, Rangpur,
Bogra, Mymensing,Dacca, Tippera, part of Pabna and probably a part of eastern Nepal. It appears from the
Buddhist records and the Greek accounts of the 14 th century B.C.,that the southern boundary of Pragjyotisha was
the Lohita Sagara, the western boundary was the river Kousika,and the northern boundary was the Bhutan hills
and part of Nepal. From the accounts of Yuan Chang,it has been surmised that the kingdom of Kamarupa of his
description included a portion of Bihar,a portion of Northern and Eastern Bengal,and nearly the whole of Assam
Valley. Some portion of Bengal were under Kamrupa from the time of Bhaskara Varman who ruled in the first
half of the 6thcentury A.D.to the time of Harshadeva. 19(c.725-750A.D.)
According to the most of the Puranas,the Kingdom of Kamarupa extended upto the river Karatoya in the
west. The eastern limit of the kingdom,however,cannot be definitely ascertained. According to the Kalika
Purana,when Naraka was ruling in Pragjyotisha,his friend Bana was ruling in Sonitpur, identified with the
modern town of Tezpur. It is generally believed that Bana's Kingdom included the modern districts,of Darrang,
Sonitpur and Lakhimpur. About the same time,there existed in the extreme eastern part,another independent
Kingdom called Vidarbha. It is also doubtful if the
18. K.L. Barua :pp.1-2.

19. P.L. Paul : Early History of Bengal. pp.20-32.
HISTORY 107
Kapili valley was initially a part of the Kingdom of Pragjyotishpur-Kamarupa, because Davaka identified with
the Kapili valley is mentioned as an independent kingdom in the Allahabad pillar inscription of Samuragupta. It
was Kalyanavarman (c.420-440A.D),a predecessor of Bhaskaravarmana,who incorporated Davaka with the
kingdom of Kamrupa in the first part of fifth century A.D. 20 From this it can be concluded that eastern Assam
valley was outside the perimeter of Pragjyotisha but subsequently the kingdom extended towards the east even
beyond the Dikhou river. Foundation of the city of Harupeswara by the Salastambha kings, the Tezpur grant and
the Parvatiya plates of Vanamala, and the Nowgong grant of Balavarman during the 9 th -10th century A.D. also
point to the extension to the Kingdom to its eastern limits. 21
In the Jogini Tantra,which is probably a later work, Kamarupa was said to have extended from the
Karatoya river on the west to the Dikshu (Dikhou)on the east,and from the mountain of Kanjagiri on the north to
the confluence of the Brahmaputra and the Laksha on the south. The kingdom thus included not only the whole
of the Brahmaputra valley but also parts of northern and eastern Bengal, parts of Bhutan,the Khasi and the Garo
hills and the northern part of the district of Sylhet. In any case,it is clear that Pragjyotisha or ancient Kamrupa
was a much larger kingdom that most of the other kingdoms mentioned in the Mahabharata and most of the
sixteen Mahajanapadas existing during the time of Gautama Buddha.22
The Tantras and the Pauranas divided Kamarupa into four parts of divisions,but the names and
boundaries of this divisions are conflicting. The generally accepted names and the boundaries of the divisions
are found in the Hara-Gauri-Sambada. This work divided Kamarupa into four Pithas or divisions marked by
river boundaries as follows:
(1).Ratnapitha from the Karatoya to the Sonkosh.
(2).Kampitha from the Sonkoch to the Kapili.
(3).Suvarnapitha from the Puspika to the bhairabi.
(4).Saumarpitha from the Bhairabi to the Dikrong.
Capital Cities :
According to the traditions,all the king of ancient Assam starting from Mahiranga Danava,had their
capital in and around Guwahati, which was known as Pragjyotishpur meaning of the capital of the Pragjyotisha
kingdom. The Mairang hill, named after Mahiranga Danava,which is situated at a distance of about 12 km.south
of Guwahation the Shillong-Guwahati Road,indicates his historicity. In the like way Naraka's historicity is
indicated by the existing village of Narakasurgaon,which includes the Narakasur hill,
20. P.C. Choudhury : The History of Civilization of the People of Assam to the Twelfth Century A.
D..pp.138-40
21. Ibid. p.44
22. K.L.Barua : Op.cit..p.7
at a distance of about 5 km. to the south west of modern city of Guwahati. According to K.L. Barua, the modern
site of Dispur, situated about 3 km. to the east of Narakasurgaon, is believed to be the abbreviation of
Pragjyotishpur.23
In later period, during the rule of the Salastambha dynasty, king Hajara Varman (c.815-835 A.D.) is said
to have shifted his capital to Haruppeswara, identifies with the modern town of Tezpur. Subsequently during the
rule of the Pala dynasty the capital was again shifted to Pragjyotishpur and named as Sri Durjaya . About the end
of the eleventh century, the capital of Dharmapala (c.1095-1120 A.D.) was at Kamarupnagar, which is identified
with North Guwahati. According to P.C. Choudhury, Kamarupanagar was ''but an extension of the old capital'' 24
of Pragjyotishpur. Kamarupanagar remained the capital until the later part of the thirteenth century A.D., after
which it was shifted to Kamatapur.
It is very probable that the king of ancient Assam, who ruled over territories extending from northern
hills to the southern sea, had more than one camp capitals, which were also capital of some other dynasties
ruling at those sites at different times. One such site is Sonitpur (modern Tezpur), where once the traditional king
Bana or Banasur ruled till he was vanquished by Sri Krishna after the secret marriage of Aniruddha, the grand-
son of Sri Krishna with Banas daughter Usha. Another such site is at Kundila Nagar (modern Sadiya)in the
easternmost corner of the Brahmaputra valley, where the legendary king Bismaka, the Father of Rukmini who
was the consort of Sri Krishna ruled. Mention may also be made of Bitargarh fort of Jalpaiguri and Kamatapur of
Koch Bihar. But there is no doubt that throughout the ancient period, when the kingdom of Pragjyotisha or
Kamarupa included, besides the Brahmaputra valley, part of east Bengal, its capital was situated at
Pragjyotishpur, which is known as Guwahati in the modern times, as there is no other place which all exactly fit
in with the description of the ancient inscriptions,wherein the capital is stated to be ''situated on the bank of the
Lauhitya'' being surrounded by hills on all sides and crowded with dense forests. 25
The Traditional Kings :
The earliest known king of ancient Assam was Mahiranga Danava. He had his capital at Mairanka,
identified with a hill called Mairang Parvat near Guwahati. He was succeeded in turn,by Hataksur, Sambarasur
and Ratnasur .The epithels ''Danava'' and ''Asura'' show that they were of non-Aryans origin. After them came
Ghatakasura who is called the ruler of the Kiratas. Ghatakasura was overthrown by Narakasura, who is the hero
of various stories narrated in the Purana and the Tantras. Narakasura founded a new dynasty known as Bhouma
or Varaha dynasty. The legends goes that Naraka was born of Prithivi (the earth)by Bishnu, in his Varaha (boar)
in carnation and was brought up the Janaka, the king of Videha or North Bihar. It is for this region that Naraka is
23. Op.cit. p.19.

24. Op.cit.p.245
25.K.L.Barua: Op. Cit..p.88
HISTORY 109
called Bhauma (born of the earth) and on account of his supposed divine origin, all dynasties ruling in
Pragjyotishpur-Kamarupa claimed their descent from Naraka and called themselves Bhauma. Naraka away the
Kiratas to the country near the sea coast and settled the Aryans in this country. This was perhaps the earliest
settlement of the Aryans in Assam.26
Naraka built a fort in a few place surrounded on all sides by hills and it is said that this stronghold was
inaccessible even to the gods. Naraka was worshipper of goddess Kamakhya and favoured by Vishnu. In his
early career, Naraka was pious and prosperous, but later, he came under the influence of Banasura, the king of
Sonitpur, and grew so irreligious and presumptuous that finally he proposed to marry mother goddess
Kamakhya. The goddess assented to the proposal on condition of construction by Naraka during the course of
one night,a temple,a tank and a road from the foothills to the temple at the top. All these were nearly
completed,when the goddess made a cock crowd before the usual hour to indicate dawn. Thus Naraka's proposal
came to a naught. The arrogant Naraka even refused admission to the famous sage Vasistha to worship in the
temple of Kamakhya. When the news of his atrocities reached Sri Krishna, the incarnation of Vishnu, the latter
came to Pragjyotisha with his army, defeated and killed Naraka in a battle and placed Naraka's son Bhagadatta
on the throne of Pragjyotisha.
Bhagadutta was a powerful king. It is said that he married his daughter Bhanumati to Durjyodhana, the
eldest of the Kauravas, and for this relation participated in the Kurukshetra was an ally of the Kauravas.
Bhagadutta is a well-known figure in the Mahabharata, which calls him the mighty king of the Mlechchas. He is
celebrated in this epic as a powerful warrior king ''not inferior to Chakra in battle'' and described as ''the best
wielder of the elephant squad'' among the Kauravas allies. He is dignified with the title ''Siva's friend'' and
always talked of with respect and friendliness by Sri Krishna. 27 After he was killed in the Mahabharata war,he
was succeeded by his son Vajradatta. The geneology of the rulers after Vajradutta is uncertain.
The Nidhanpur copper place inscription of Bhaskaravarman who ruled over Kamarupa in the early
seventh century A.D., states that a period of three thousand years elapsed between the death of Vajradutta and the
accession of Pushyavarman, the ancestor of Bhaskaravarman, who was the twelveth in the line.
The Bhagavata and the Vishnu Purana narrate the story of another traditional ruler, Bhismak, who ruled
in Vidarbha popularity identified with the Sadiya region. His capital was at Kundil. He had a beautiful and
accomplished daughter named Rukmini.Lord Krishna having heard of her came to Vidarbha and married her by
defeating the other kings at Kundil Nagar.
The Kalika Purana, Bhagavata Purana and the Vishnu Purana contain account of
26. K.L. Barua : Op.cit. p.,19

27. Ibid : Op. Cit.,p.21
a king named Bana or Banasura, whose daughter Usha was believed to have been married to Aniruddha, the
grandson of Sri Krishna. From his title it appears that he was of Asura or Danava clan, hence a non-Aryan. It
appears from a number of sources that Bana was a contemporary of Naraka. According to P.C. Choudhury, the
historicity of Bana is established by the remains of Agniparvat, Mahabhairab temple, Bhairavi temple and other
remains in Tezpur associated with his name. 28 From the extant of architectural remains in different places in the
undivided Darrang and the Lakhimpur districts,it is believed by some that the kingdom of Bana included the
whole of these areas.
Ruling Dynasties of Ancient Assam :
The Varmana Dynasty :

The real political history of ancient Assam begins with the foundation of the Varmana line of kings. The
inscriptions of Bhaskaravarman, the greatest king of this dynasty as well as of ancient Assam, Banabhatta's
Harshacharita and the accounts of the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen-Tsang furnish considerable materials relating to
the history of the Varmanas. It is learnt from epigraphical sources that Pushyavarman, born in the lineage of
Naraka-Bhagaduta was the founder of the Varmana of Bhauma line of kings. 29 When and how Pushyavarman
came to power is not known. He probably taking advantage of the political instability of the time,made himself
king and to justify his claim,traced his descent from Naraka-Bhagadutta. According to B.M.Barua.''
Pushyavarman was the first Indo-Aryan ruler set up by Samudragupta over the two territories of Kamarupa and
Davaka unified into a single kingdom.'' 30But this view is not tenable because Pushyavarman assumed the
important title of Maharajadhiraja which indicates his independent status.
Pushyavarman was probably a contemporary of Samudragupta. In the Allahabad pillar inscription of
this Gupta emperor, the name of Kamrupa occurs as a frontier kingdom Samalata, Davaka, Nepal and
Kartipur,whose kings owed allegiance to Samudragupta on their own accord. The unnamed king of Kamarupa of
this inscription is usually identified with Pushyavarman. If we count the date of Pushyavarman on the basis of
the Badaganga epigraph of Bhutivarman, (dated 234 Gupta era which corresponds to 553-54 A.D.) who was the
eighth king of the dynasty and allow its king an average reigning period of 25 years, Pushyavarman's reign
would fall between c.355-80 A.D..he would thus be a contemporary of Samudragupta (c.320-80 A.D.).It was
perhaps in honour of his overlord that he named his son as Samudravarman and his daughter-in-law as Dattadevi
in imitation of the names of the Gupta emperor Samudragupta and his queen Dattadevi.
28. Op.cit,p.115
29. P.C. Choudhury : Op.cit. p. 128
30. Quoted in P.C. Choudhury,Op. Cit p.132
HISTORY 111
Rajatarangini, a book of fifth century A.D., by Kalhan, mentions a Kamarupa princess named
Amritaprabha, who was given in marriage to Meghavahana, a Kashmir prince in an open Sayambara. This
Amritaprabha is believed to be the daughter of Balavarman, the grandson of Pushyavarman. Rajatarangini
relates that Amritaprabha erected in Kashmir,a lofty Vihara for the benefit of the foreign bhikshus and that this
Vihara was known as Amritabhaban. It is farther stated that Amritaprabha took with her a Tibetan Buddhist
monk named Stunpa, who was a preceptor of her father. This Stunpa erected a Stupa in Kashmir known as Lo-
Stunpa.31 Ou-Kung and M.A. Stein also support the historicity of this event. During the reign of Kalyanavarman,
the son of Balavarman,the Davaka or the Kapili valley (comprising possibly the present district of Nagoan,
Karbi Anglong and North Cachar area) was absorbed into the empire of Kamarupa. To signalise this victory, he
sent a diplomatic mission to China in 428 A.D. Mahendravarman, grandson of Kalyanavarman expanded his
empire to south-east Bengal upto the sea by shaking off the last vestiges of the Gupta influence in Kamarupa. 32
He was the first king of Assam to perform Aswamedha and he did it on two occasions.
Mahendravarman's grandson Bhutiavarman was a powerful king. He conquered Pundravardhana (North

Bengal) sometime between 545-50 A.D. and donated lands to more than 200 Brahmanas in the Chandrapuri
visaya located within the Pundravardhana bhukti. He might have also extended his sway in the south and the
west and brought the outlying regions of Samatata, Sylhet, Tripura and other regions under his control. 33He has
also performed one Aswamedha sacrifice. The glory of Kamarupa suffered a temporary set back during the reign
of Bhaskaravarman's father Susthitavarman,who suffered a defeat at the hands of the Later Gupta monarch
Mahasenagupta and as a result of this defeat lost the possession of Pundravardhana.
Bhaskaravarman (c.600-650 A.D.), ascending the throne at a time, when the reputation of his family
was at a low ebb, not only restored it but made Kamarupa, a power to be reckoned with whose alliance was
welcomed by a monarch of Harsha's (606-648 A.D.)fame, the last great monarch of ancient Northern India. By
this alliance, Bhaskara not only recovered Pundravardhana but also brought Gauda with its capital
Karnasuvarna under his control. In fact,it was from his victorious camp at Karnasuvarna that Bhaskara issued his
Nidhanpur grant by which he renewed the grants of land made earlier by Bhutivarman in Pundravardhana.
It was during the reign of Bhaskaravarman that the great Chinese pilgrim Houen Tsang visited Kamarupa
in 643 A.D. and stayed in his capital for nearly two months. The pilgrim speaks highly about the noble qualities
of Bhaskara and his prowess. In the religious assemblies held at Prayag and Kanauj by Harsha, Bhaskara was
shown special honour in the presence of all the kings assembled there. After the death of Harsha in 648 A.D.,
Bhaskara became the supreme lord of Eastern India extending his sway
ASSAM STATE GAZETTER 112
as far as Nalanda. He had also brought under his control Sylhet and Tripura including south-east Bengal. This is
testified by Hiuen Tsang who refers to Bhaskara as ''King of eastern India''and stated that the rules of Kamarupa
had the sea-route to China under their protection. 34
Inscriptions bear testimony to the many-sided qualities and achievements of Bhaskara. Because of his
depth of knowledge,he is called in the ''second Brihaspati''.He made Kamarupa a noted centre of learning
attracting students from outside. As pointed out by P.C. Choudhury, with the expansion of the political sway of
35
the Varmana line of kings large portion of Eastern India came under the cultural ideas of Kamarupa. This
influence even spread to the islands in the pacific and some of the architectural remains in Combodia, Annam
and other places are possibly to be attributed to the influence of the rulers of Kamarupa. 36
The Salastambha Dynasty :

Bhaskaravarman remained a celibate throughout his life. It is for this reason that he is called Kumara
Raja in the Harshacharia and in the account of Hiuen Tsang. Naturally, therefore, at his death an anarchical
situation arose, taking advantage of which a non-Aryan chief named Salastambha usurped the throne. Who was
the immediate successor of is not known for certainly. According to K.L. Barua, Bhaskara was succeeded by one
of his near relations,whom he identifies with Avantivarman of Visakhadatta's Sanskrit Drama Mudrarakshasa.
He holds the view that Salastambha,the leader of governor of the Mlechchas usurped the throne by deposing
Avantivarman,who did not reign for more than five years. 37 That Salastambha was a usurper is indicated in the
text of the Bargaon grant of Ratnapala which runs as follows :''After thus,for several generations,kings of
Naraka's dynasty had ruled the whole country,a great chief of the Mlechchas, owing to a turn of adverse fate,
took possession of the kingdom. This was Salastambha. In succession to him,their were chiefs altogether twice
ten in number...''.
According to the Hara-Gauri-Sambada, after the end of the period of the family of Naraka-Bhagadutta,
came a prince from the west,named Madhaba, who established himself in Kamarupa a new line of kings having
twentyone kings. As the number of kings given in this source exactly tallies with that given in the inscriptions as
belonging to Salastambha, P.C. Choudhury rightly identifies Salastambha with Madhava of the Hara-Gauri-
Sambada and holds that Salastambha and Avantivarman were the same person, who was referred to as
Devavarman, ''King of Eastern India'' by the Chinese
34. cf. P.C. Choudhury,Op.cit.p.178

35. Op.cit p.186
36. N.N. Vasu : Social History of Kamarupa,Vol. III. pp.13f.
37. . Op.cit.,p.69
HISTORY 113
pilgrim It-Sing.38
The Salastambha kings called their descent from the ancient Bhaumas of Bhauma-Narakas like the
Varman kings,whom they supplanted. Salastambha's reign can tentatively be placed between 655 to 675 A.D.
Though there were twentyone kings in his family,names of only fifteen have so far been found. During the rule
of this dynasty,the capital city was located at Haruppeswara, identified with the modern town of Tezpur.
The sixth king of the dynasty, Sri Harsha or Harshadeva (c.725-50 A.D) was the most famous, being
credited with the overlordship of Gauda, Odra, Kalinga, Kosala and other lands. It is recorded in the Pasupati
epigraph of the Nepal king, Jayadeva II, that Sri Harshadeva who was the lord of these lands gave his daughter
Rajyamatiin marriage to this king. It appears that after conquering Kalinga and Kosala, Harshadeva led an
expedition to the south and was defeated by the Cahlukya king of Karnataka, Kirtivarman II. Soon after, he was
overthrown and killed by Yasovarman of Kanauj. 39Thus though for a short period, Kamarupa, during the rule of
Harshadeva reached the highest point of its military glory ''when its suzerain power extended from Sadiya in the
east to Ajodhya in the west, and from the Himalayas in the north as far as the Bay of Bengal and Ganjam in the
south''.40
It is presumed by Gait that the family of Salastambha came to an end with the death of Harshadeva. 41
But according to the Hayunthal epigraph, Harshadeva was succeeded by his son Balavarman II (c.750-
765A.D.),who was also a powerful monarch.
Pralambha the great-grandson of Harshadeva was contemporary of Gopala, the first king of the Pala
Dynasty of Gauda. Pralambha's son Harjaravarman was perhaps the first of this line of kings to perform his
coronation ceremony according to Vedic rites. He assumed the High-sounding title Maharajadhiraja
Parameswara Paramabhattaraka. He was left us two inscriptions, the Hayunthal copper plates found at Nagaon
and the Tezpur rock epigraph. The second one is dated Gupta era 510=829-30 A.D. Harajaras reign is tentatively
placed between c.815-35 A.D. The Tezpur inscription was sasana or royal charter regulating the plying of boats
in the Brahmaputra within certain boundaries specified therein. This sasana indicates that Harjara had a big navy
at his command.
Hajaravarman built a lofty Siva temple and rows of stately buildings in the capital city at Haruppeswara.
Extensive ruins of temples and buildings in and around the modern town of Tezpur along with the existence of a
big tank called Hajarapukhuri bear
38. P.C. Choudhury,Op.cit.,pp.187 ff. Choudhury also opines that Salastambha was probably established,as a
ruler of the Nalanda region by Bhaskara and immediately after the latter's death without leaving an heir,he came
to Pragjyotisha and declared himself as king
39. For detail,see P.C. Choudhury. Op.. cit.. pp. 199-207
40. K.L. Barua,Op.cit.,p.71
41. Op. Cit..p. 33
testimony of Harjara's patronage of art and architecture and his attention to public works.
Hajaravarman's son Vanamalavarman (c.835-65A.D.)was perhaps the last powerful king of Salastambha
dynasty .He recovered Kamarupa's lost possession of Pundravardhana and to signalise this victory donated lands
to a Brahmana near about the area where Bhutivarman of the Varman dynasty made land-grants in the middle of
the 6thcentury A.D. This is recorded in the Tezpur grant issued in his 19 th regal year. He made several other land-
grants. He rebuilt the Siva temple erected by his father and made grants of lands,elephants and temple girls to it.
42
From his Nagaon grant it is learnt that his capital city was inhabited by virtuous men, merchants and learned
scholars and people of all classes lived there happily. Vanamala, a devout worshipper of Siva abdicated the
throne in favour of his son Jayamala (c.865-85A.D.) and himself fasted unto death.43
Vanamala's grandson Balavarman III (c.885-910A.D.)also made several land grants in different parts of
his kingdom. In his grants he too assumed the high-sounding epithet Maharajadhiraja Parameswara
Paramabhattaraka.
Nothing is known about the successors of Balavarman III. There is a gap in the historical account of the
period between the reign of Balavarman III and Tyagasingha, the last king of the family. They possibly ruled
during the period c.910-970 A.D., after which Brahmapala started the rule of Pala line of kings.
The Pala Dynasty
Tyagasingha possibly died childless, but the danger of rebellion centering round his heirless death was
tactfully avoided by the officers by choosing Brahmapala to the throne. 44This is evident from the Bargaon grant
of Ratnapala which states:''Seeing that the twenty-first of them (the line of Salastambha ), the illustrious
Tyagasingha by name had departed to heaven without leaving any of his heir to succeed him, his officials,
thinking it well that a Bhauma (of Naraka's race) should be appointed as their lord chose Brahmapala from along
his kindred to be their king on account of his fitness to undertake the government of the country,''According to
the Hara-Gauri-Sambada, the family of Madhava, who is identified with Salastambha, was followed by that of
Jitari, who ruled for eight generations. The epigraphs of the Palas also give the names of eight kings beginning
with Brahmapala and Jitari were the same person. Brahmapala possibly hailed from the western part of the
kingdom of Kamarupa for which he is said to have come from the Dravida country in the Hara-Gauri Sambada.
The title 'Pala' is an abbreviation of the Sanskriti term Palaka, which means protector, i.e., a ruler or
administrator. It seems that this title was a popular one among the rulers
42. Nagaon Grant,vv.16,19,24 f; Pravatiya plates vv.15,19,24f.

43. Nagaon grant,vv,16,17.
44. S.L. Baruah : A Comprehensive History of Assam,p.121.
HISTORY 115
of north eastern India of the time and in imitation of the contemporary Pala kings of Bengal, Brahmapala also
assumed that title. Brahmapala's reign may be placed between 990-1010 A.D. Towards the close of rule of the
Salastambhas, Pundravardhana passed on to the hands of Bengal's ruler. The western boundary of the Kamrupa
kingdom at the time of Brahmapala's accession to the throne was, therefore, again regressed to the river
Karatoya. Brahmaputra abdicated the throne in favour of his son Ratnapala.
Ratnapala (c.1010-40A.D) was a powerful king. He made several land-grants. He shifted the capital city
of his kingdom of Pragjyotishpur, strongly fortified it and named it as Durjaya or Sri Durjaya (impregnable).He
defeated a king of Gouda named Rajyapala,which is evident from an inscription belonging to one of his
successors, Gopala.45 Ratnapala appears to have encouraged trade and commerce as well as learning and
education.
Ratnapala's son Indrapala (c.1040-65A.D.) defeated Kalyana Chandra, son of Sri Chandra of Bengal and
to mark this victory made land-grants in Pundravardhana to a Brahmana hailing from Sravasthi. Indrapala
married Rajyadevi, a Rashtrakuta princess. He was succeeded by his son Gopala (c.1065-85), who was a man of
merit and intelligence. His Grachtal inscription contains important information about his predecessors. During
the reign of the next king Harshapala (c.1085-95), Jatavarman, king of East Bengal snatched away a part of
Pundravardhana, then under the sovereign rule of Kamarupa. However, this was soon recovered by Dharmapala
(c.1095-1120), son and successor of Harshapala. Three inscription belonging to Dharmapala's reign are found,
which speak about his prowess and manifold qualities. He was a great patron of religion and learning and
himself a poet. The first eight verses of the Pushpabhadra grant were composed by him. Towards the end of his
reign,Dharmapala was conducting his administration from his capital at Kamarupanagar,which can be
considered only as an extension of the old city of Pragjyotishpur to North Guwahati.
Jaypala, the son of Dharmapala, who is identified by P.C. Choudhury with Ramchandra mentioned in
Ram Charita of Sandhyakaranandi,46 ruled sometime between 1120-30A.D. During his reign, Kamarupa was
attacked by Mayana, the general of Ramapala, the Pala king of Bengal,and as a result of the war,the
Kamarupadhipati lost his possession in North Bengal. 47The Bengal king placed Tingyadeva as his vassal king in
the part. Later when Tingyadeva rebelled, Ramapala's son Kumarapala, who then ruled Gauda, sent Vaidyadeva
to suppress him. Vaidyadeva not only suppressed Tingyadeva,but also conquered Kamarupa and declared his
independence in 1138 A.D..He assumed the title Maharajadhiraja Parameswara Paramabhattaraka.
Later Kings of Kamarupa :
45. Guwahati Inscription V.16

46. P.C. Choudhury : Op. Cit,pp. 246-47.
47. Ibid : p. 250; K.L. Barua,Op.cit.,p. 94.
Though there is no definite account of Kamrupa and its king for the few decades following Vaidyadeva,
from the Tezpur grant of Valabhadeva dated 1107 Saka, which corresponds to 1185 A.D., it is learnt that his
grandfather Rayarideva had an encounter with king Vijaysena of Bengal to P.C. Choudhury, Rayarideva was
probably a feudatory of Vadyadeva in the Darrang area. 48
After Gopala III,owing to the weakness of Pala kings of Gauda, the Sena king of Bengal,Vijayasena,
conquered the whole of Gauda and thus became the immediate neighbour of Kamarupa. In the Deopara
inscription of Vijaysena (1125-57 A.D.), reference is made to an event, wherein Vijayasena had an encounter
with the Kamarupadhipati, who can be identified with Vaidyadeva. In the opinion of P.C. Choudhury,
Rayarideva helped Vaidyadeva, who was then occupying the throne of Kamarupa to resist Vijayasena. In the
war, Vaidyadeva was killed, but in the hands of Rayarideva, Vijayasena experienced reverse, as indicated in the
Tezpur grant of Vallabhadeva, after which, Rayarideva established himself as an independent king of
Kamarupa.49
Rayarideva was succeeded by Udayakarna and thereafter Vallabhadeva became the king of Kamarupa
in the 9th decade of the 12th century, as his Tezpur grant was issued in 1185 A.D..Lakshmanasena (c.1175-1205
A.D.) the son of Vallabhasena, who ascended the throne at very late years, invaded Kamarupa during the time of
Vallabhadeva and defeated him, but his successor Viswasundardeva immediately recovered his kingdom and
established his independent status. Viswasundardeva was also popularly known as Prithu of Barthu. He was a
very powerful king. He not only defeated and destroyed the entire army of Muhammad-bin-Bakhtiyar in 1205-
06 A.D. but also overthrew Sultan Ghiyasuddin-Iwas Khilji in 1227 A.D., and finally faced defeated in the hands
of Nasiruddin, the son of Iltutmish in 1228 A.D.
Viswasundardeva was followed by Sandhya,who was established by Nasiruddin as a tributary king
and,thereafter at the death of Nasiruddin, Sandhya threw off his allegiance to the Turkish ruler of Bengal. At this
juncture,the Bhuyan chiefs of Kamarupa joined with Sandhya,who brought the whole region upto Karatoya and
also a part of the area beyond,under his control and assumed the title Gaudeswar. He was followed by his son
Sindhu(c.1260-85A.D) and there after his grandson, Rupanarayan (c.1285-1300A.D). 50 From a narrative in the
Gurucharia, written by Ramacharan Thakur,it is found that Sandya was a very powerful king, who thwarted the
invasion of Kamrupa by Malik Yuzbeg alias Sultan Mughisuddin 51in 1257 A.D..Thereafter, he shifted his capital
to Kamalpur in Koch Bihar and assumed the title Kamateswara and used it as a synonym for Kameswara
meaning''the lord of Kamarupa.''Thenceforth, the kingdom
48. Op. Cit. p.255

49. Ibid,pp. 254-55.
50. Garucharita by Racharan Thakur,cf. K.L.Barua,op., p.162
51. cf. N.N. Acharyya : The History of Medieval Assam, pp. 144f.
HISTORY 117
came to be known as Kamata or Kamrup-Kamata. Sandhya is said to have given his daughter in marriage to
Ratnadhvaja,the powerful Chutia king of Sadiya.52
The last king of this line was Singhadhvaja (1300-05A.D.).who lost his kingdom to his minister,
Pratapdhvaja(1305-25A.D). Pratapdhvaja has been referred to as Manik Chandra in the traditions prevalent in
Koch Bihar. His daughters, Rajani and Bhajani were given in marriage to the Ahom king Sukhangpha (1293-
1332A.D).53
At the death of Pratapdhvaja, the throne of the Kamata kingdom was seized by his nephew Dharampala
alias Dharmanarayan. This usurpation was challenged by the Bhuyans but Dharmanarayan subjugated them all.
Dharmanarayan shifted his headquarter's to Dimla in the district of Rangpore. He possibly conquered certain
portions of Gauda for which he took the title Gaudeswara. Meanwhile, Durlabhnarayan, the son of Pratapdhvaja
and hence the legal claimant to the throne with the help of some Bhuyans, challenged the authority of
Dharmanarayan,and occupied the eastern part of the Kamata kingdom. He established his headquarters at Garia
near the modern town of Koch Bihar. This was followed by a long and protracted warfare. At last a peace was
concluded,possibly in 1330A.D., by which the kingdom was divided between them, Durlabhnarayan taking the
northern and eastern part along with the city of Kamatapur and Dharmanarayan retaining the rest,which included
Rangpore and Mymensingh,54After the conclusion of the treaty, Gaudeswar Dharmanarayan sent,at the request of
55
Kamateswar Durlabhnarayan,fourteen families of Brahmanas and Kayasthas to the latter's kingdom. Thus
Dharmanarayan was ruling over the undivided kingdom of Kamata possibly from 1325-30 A.D. After the
partition of the kingdom,he continued to rule over its western part for some years.Dharmanarayan was succeeded
by his son Tamradhvaja,who established himself at Ghoraghat in the Rangpore district.
Durlabhnarayan was a great patron of learning,. His court was adorned by the famous Assamese poets
Harihar Bipra,Ram Saraswati and Hem Saraswati.
Durlabhnarayan was succeeded by his son Indranarayan(1350-65 A.D.),who assumed the title''Pancha
Gaudeswara''.This indicates that he wrested the western part of the Kamata kingdom,which fell into the hands of
Dharmanarayan.
The history of the Kamata kingdom after Indranarayan in uncertain. Possibly towards the end of
Indranarayan's reign, some unruly elements raised their heads in the kingdom and Indranarayan himself may
have been killed by an adventurous upstart,who is usually identified with Sasanka alias Arimatta. Arimatta was
possibly a related nephew of Indranarayan and as because he became king by killing his paternal uncle,he has
been condemned in popular traditions of Assam as a patricide. Arimatta established his capital near Betna,
covering the fort constructed by Vaidyadeva in the early part of the 12 th
52.Ibid : pp.145,152.
53. Harakanta Barua Sadar Amin,Asam Buranji, (ed.)S.K. Bhuyan,p.15.
54. N.N. Acharyya : Op.cit., p.157-58.
55. K.L. Barua : Op. Cit., p.163.
century. 56Phengua, probably a relative of Indranarayan challenged him but he was killed by Arimatta. Arimatta
ruled probably during the period 1365-85 A.D..He was succeeded by Gajanka, Sutaranka and Mriganka
successively. Their rule can be placed between 1385-1440A.D.The Ahom king Sudangpha (1397-
1407A.D.)invaded the Kamata kingdom towards the close of his reign, when Gajanka was ruling over it and the
latter sued for peace by offering his daughter to the Ahom king. 57
The Khan or Khen Dynasty :

During the rule of the successors of Arimatta, the Bhuyans rose their hands in different parts of the
kingdom .when Mriganka, the last king of Arimatta's line died childless, the throne was occupied by one
Niladhvaj Khan (c.1440-60A.D.),who assumed the title Kamateswar and rebuilt the city of Kamatapur. The
dynasty founded by Niladhvaj came to be known as Khan or Khen dynasty. According to the Kamrupar Buranji,
Niladhvaj and his successors were the rulers over the Singimari region, upto the bank of the Brahmaputra
opposite Hajo.58
Niladhvaj was succeeded by his son Chakrodhvaj (c.1460-80A.D.), who in his turn, was followed by his
son Nilambar (c.1480-98A.D.). Taking advantage of the anarchical situation in Bengal under the Abysinians or
Habshis, Nilambar occupied the north-eastern part of Bengal and consolidated his conquest by building a road
from his capital to the frontier fortress of Ghoraghat on the Karatoya. He was overthrown by the Bengal Sultan
Alauddin Hussain Shah (1493-1517A.D.) in 1498A.D..With this event, the rule of the Khan or Khen kings of
Kamata came to the end. The Bhuyans then became powerful and were ruling in different parts of the kingdom
till the rise of the Koches in about 1515 A.D..
Confliciting Accounts relating to Arimatta :
The accounts relating to the kings after Indranarayan, specially Arimatta, are very conflicting.
However,it can be said that whatever his identity had been, Arimata was a powerful warrior, who made his
influence felt in different parts of the Brahmaputra valley. There are many legends centering round Arimatta in
Assam. There is a tradition even amongst the Daflas (Nishis)that once he took refuge at Hita Rokp, present
59
Itanagar. According to one account given in the Kamrupar Buranji, Arimatta was descendant of king
Dharmapala,who came from Gauda. Dharmapala was succeeded by Ratnapala, Somapala and Pratap Singha, one
after another. Arimata was the son of Pratap Singha, who had his capital at Kanayka (which came to be known as
Pratapapura)near Viswanath in Sonitpur district. Arimatta's mother Chandraprabha being offered to
56. E.A. Gait : Op. Cit., p.18.

57. Ahom Buranji, (Trans & ed.). G.C. Barua, pp.50-51
58. (ed.)S.K. Bhuyan, p.4.
59. D.N. Das : '' Ruins of Mayapur'',Journal of the Assam Research Society,Vol. III. No.2,pp.43-49
the river god Brahmaputra by Pratap Singha when she was pregnant, he was brought up by a Brahmin, who
rescued his mother. Arimatta had an adventurous career and in course of his military exploits, he killed his own
father, not knowing his identity. According to this account, Arimatta was defeated by Phengua, after which,
he drowned himself to the river.60 The genealogy of the Dimarua Rajas,on the other hand, states that Somapala of
Pratapapura was the father of Arimatta. 61The Rajas of Rani and Dimarua claimed their descent from Arimatta. 62
It is said that Pratap Singha was also known as Ramchandra and Bhalukpung.
According to another account given in the Kamrupar Buranji was a descendant of Jitari,who came from
the Dravida country and established himself at Kamarupa. Arimatta killed the Kamateswara Durlabhendra, who
was probably a descendant of Indranarayan and occupied the throne of Kamata. Arimatta was followed by
Sukaranga,Sukaranga and Mriganka respectively. These four kings ruled from 1160 to 1400 Saka,i.e.,1238-1478
A.D.63
In the Saharai mauja in Nagaon, there are remains of an old fort with high embankments known as
Jongalgarh.This is believed ti have been the capital of Jongal Balahu,another son of Arimatta, who was defeated
by the Kacharis and drowned himself in the Kalong river. 64
To conclude, no authentic and comprehensive account of Assam following the Palas, is found available
till now. However,it is certain that since about the close of the 12 th century, the empire of Kamarupa shrank to the
small kingdom of Kamata, which also, after the death of Indranarayan got disintegrated into several
principalities ruled by a class of petty land-lords called Bhuyans. In the eastern and central Brahmaputra valley,a
number of Mongoloid tribes like the Chutiyas, Marans, Borahis and the Kacharis founded their independent
kingdoms,who were finally subjugated by the Ahoms.
The Muslim Invasions :

The first Muslim army to enter Kamarupa was led by Mahammad-bin-Bakhtiyar in 1205-06A.D..The
even is recorded in the Kanai Barasi Stone Inscription at North Guwahati in a few words in Sanskrit which
means that ''on
60. pp. 2-3.

61. N.N. Acharyya,op, cit., p.180.
62. E.A. Gait,Op, cit, p.19
63. P.4.
64. E.A. Gait : op. Cit., p.19
the thirteenth of Chaitra, in the Saka era 1127, the Turks coming into Kamarupa were destroyed.''The
destination of the invaders was perhaps beyond Kamarupa. But the army advanced through this land against the
advice of the king and while it retreated, the Kamarupa king Prithu (Bartu) alias Viswasundardeva inflicted
severe defeated upon the invaders.65
The second invasion in 1226 A.D. was led by Sultan Ghiasuddin Iwaz, who is said to have advanced as
far as Sadiya. 66But in the end,he was defeated by Prithu and driven back to Gauda. Ghiasuddin was ultimately
overthrown by Nasiruddin, son of Iltutmish in 1228 A.D.,and it was Nasiruddin,who overthrew Prithu in that
year. Nasiruddin retired from Kamarupa on promise of an annual tribute which,however,was stopped after some
time by Sandhya,the son of Prithu.
The third invasion was led by Ikhtiyaruddin Yuzbeg Tughril Khan in 1256-57 A.D..For a time Tughril
was successful and he erected a mosque in commemoration of his victories. But when the rains set in and disease
overtook the invaders,the Sultan and his soldiers were defeated and killed by Sandhya's men. Only few could
return to Bengal to tell of the catastrophe of the army.
According to the Alamgirnamah, Mahammad-bin-Tughlug despatched a huge army of 1000,000 to
conquer. Assam in 1332-33 A.D..But when the imperial army entered the frontier of Kamata, they were all
relegated to oblivion. It is further mentioned in the same source that to avenge this defeated Mahammad-bin-
Tughluq sent another expedition to invade Kamata, but''when it arrived in Bengal,it was panic-striken and shrank
from the enterprise.''67 The next invasion was led by Sikandar Shah in 1362 A.D.,during the reign of
Indranarayan. The army possibly advanced as far has Gachtal in Nagaon district,but having heard of the invasion
of Bengal by his overlord Firoz Shah Tughluq, he hurried back to his domain. After this,for a period of more
than one hundred years, barring certain marauding campaigns, Assam was free from any serious Muslim
invasion till the end of the fifteenth century.
According to a Persian Manuscript said to have been written in 1633 A.D.,one Shah Ismail Ghaji was
sent in an expedition by the Bengal Sultan Rukunuddin Barbak against the king of Kamata, who was probably
Chakradhvaj, father of Nilambar. Ismail by performing feats of supernatural power succeeded in obtaining the
submission of the Kamata king. But the Hindu Governor of
65. E.A. Gait : op. Cit., 36-37; J.A. Vas, eastern Bengal and Assam District Gazetteer, Rangpore, p. 24; K.L..
Barua,op. Cit., pp. 136-45
66. E.A. Gait : op. Cit., p. 37.
67. Alamgirnamah, p.731: N.N. Archaryya, op. Cit., p.161.
HISTORY 121
Ghoraghat represented to the Sultan that the alleged submission of the Kamateswara was a fraud and Ismail was
only forming an alliance with the Kamateswara to set up an independent kingdom for himself. The Sultan
believing the information to be true sent an army against Ismail,who repulsed the Sultan's forces several times
but at last submitted. Ismail was finally beheaded. From the story it appears that Ismail concluded a true with the
Kamateswara,to whom he had to cede some territory probably in Golaghat. It has already been stated that
Chakradhvaj's son Nilambar built a road from Kamatapur to Ghoraghat and erected a fort at Goraghat. 68 This
took place possibly during the period 1470-74A.D.69
The next Muslim expedition to Kamata took place in 1498 A.D,wherein Alauddin Hussain Shah of
Gauda defeated the Kamata Raja Nilambar through treachery and left for his territory leaving his son Danial
with a garrison at Hajo. After Danial's death, Musunder Ghazi ruled in Kamrup and Sultan Ghiyasuddin Aulia
founded a Muslim Colony in Kamrup and built a large Mosque on a hill at Hajo called Poa Mecca. Reputed as a
darwesh in Jahangir's time, he is venerated as a saint in Assam. His tomb in the Mosque is sacred to both
Muslims and Hindus.70
In 1501 A.D.,the Bhuyan chiefs of Kamrup joined together,attacked the Muslim garrison at Hajo and
destroyed it,making Kamrup again free from Muslim yoke.
It is learnt from the buranjis, that a certain Bar Ujir invaded Assam in 1527 A.D.,during the reign of
Suhungmung Dihingiya Raja (1497-1539A.D.). The invaders advanced as far as Temani in the Kalang
valley,where a serious battle took place. The Ahom army led by Kancheng Barpatra Gohain defeated the
invaders.71 This is the first Muslim invasion to the Ahom kingdom. In 1532 A.D.,another Muslim general named
Turbak marched upto Kaliabar and defeated the Ahom troops stationed there. But subsequently, he was defeated
and killed in a bloody battle on the bank of the Bharali river in the very same year.
Twenty-one years later, Kala Pahar, a Hindu apostate is said to have made marauding expedition into
Assam, and in his fanatical zeal for the propagation of his new religion, made attempts to demolish the temples
at Kamakhya and Hajo.72
68.K.L. Barua : op. Cit., pp. 157-58,According to Barua,this story with a myth.
69. Ibid : pp. 155-57
70. J.N. Sarkar : Freedom Struggles in Medieval Assam,p. 34.
71. Deodhai Asam Buranji. p.21; S.L. Baruah, op.cit., pp. 23 lf.
72. Riyaz- us- Salatin, pp. 151; N.N. Archarya,op. Cit.. p. 196.
Medieval Period :
The history of medieval Kamrup after the rule of the Pala dynasty is disconnected. No inscription or
coin,nor any contemporary comprehensive historical account of his period has yet been discovered. But the
history of Medieval Kamrupa has come to light on the basis of certain legitimate historical study/investigation. It
seems that during this period the Kacharis became powerful and advanced towards the west up to the boundary
of the present district of Kamrup. Owing to the expansion of Kachari power, the Kamarupa kings were, it
seems,compelled to remove their capital from Guwahati further west to Kamatapur as already mentioned earlier.
There after,the kingdom of Kamata came into existence.
Kachari dynasty:The late Pandit Hem Chandra Goswami stated that Maha Manikya was a king of the
Barahi Kacharis and that he ruled about the middle of the fourteenth century at Dimapur. It is evident that
Kachari or Bodo sovereignty was exercised in Assam in different places. As Sir Edward Gait says,''the Kacharis
are believed to be very closely allied to the Koches, and also so far,at least as language is concerned, to the
Chutiyas, Lalungs and Morans of the Brahmaputra valley,and to the Garos and Tipperas of the Southern Hills.
Having regard to their wide distribution,and to the extent of country over which Bodo languages of a very
uniform type are still current, it seems probable that at one time,the major part of Assam and that some at least,of
the Mlechcha kings mentioned in the old copper-plate inscriptions belong to the Kachari or some closely allied
tribes.73
Captain Fisher, the first Superintendent of Cachar, who took great pins in ascertaining the early history
of the Kacharis, was of opinion that in the remote past, this rude tribe gradually acquired and empire over
Assam, Sylhet, Mymensing and the Valleys to the east of the Brahmaputra,their original seat being at Kamarupa,
and that their rule ultimately embraced everything from Kamrup down to the sea. But there is no authentic
epigraphic or historical account discovered on the mater uptil now. The founder of the Kachari kingdom is said
to be one Manik. Tradition states that there was a powerful Kachari kingdom at Sadiya founded by one Manik
and his son-in-law Mukuta ruled after him. Kacharis belong to the broadly constituted Bodo group of Tribeto-
Burman races.
73. Sir E. Gait : A history of Assam, Reprint 1967,p 300

HISTORY 123
Diversity of option exists regarding their pre-Assam habitats. About their first home in Assam it is believed that
they lived originally in a land called Kumkuli (Kamrup)by which flowed a river in a great Valley. From there
they were driven out and got to place called Kundilo (Kundil or Sadiya).The Kachari Kingdom of Sadiya as per
chronicle, bounded by Sadiya on the east, the River Dikhou on the west, the south bank of the river Dihing on
the north and Kenduguri on the south,was probably the first attempt of the Kacharis to build up an independent
State after their expulsion from Kamrup. But the history of origin of Chutiya and Kachari is still
controversial,though the old legends traced their origin as the Chutiya rulers traced their descent from Raja
Bhismak, father of Rukmini; at least the southern Branch,from Bhima and Herambha Rakshasi.
The legend says that the first king of Herambha branch of Kachari was Susampha. According to another
legend the earliest Kachari king was one Birahas, who abdicated in favour of Bicharpatipha, prior to the
establishment of the Kachari capital at Dimapur; the venue of Government had shifted between Sonapur,
Banpur, and Lakshindrapur.
The kingdom of Cachar, of which Tamradhwai Narayana was the ruler during the reign Rudra Singha,
and Govinda Chandra at the time of British occupation, is only one of the numerous states brought to existence
by the political genius of the Kachari people. It seems that the rulers of Barahi Kachari, at one time ruled over
the Kapili Valley also .It was during the reign of Maha-Manikya-a Barahi king who ruled in their earlier part of
the fourteenth century that Sri Madhab Kandali composed the Assamese version of the Ramayan in verses. The
Kacharis,who have been described as ''the original autochthones of Assam had built up political and
administrative units,vestiges of which have lingered till this day. The first note-worthy conflict between the
Ahom and Kachari occurred in the reign of Suhungmung Dihingia Raja (1497-1539A.D.). In the battle the
Kacharis were defeated. The legend says that among the spoils of war was the Assamese Cleopetra Garama
Kunwari,who extended her hand from king of Gauda to Kachari Raja and finally to Ahom king Dihingia Raja.
Her son Madan Konwar was also taken to the Ahom capital.
After the death of Dersong-pha, the Kacharis lived from sometime without an overlord. And as desired
by them,the Ahom king appointed Madan Konwar as their Raja at Cachar, with the name Nirbhayanarayan and
the Kachari Rajya became an annual tributary state to the Ahom king. During the reign of Swargadeo
Rajeswar Singha the refractory Kachari Raja Sandhikari and the fugitive Manipuri Raja were produced
before the Ahom Monarch by Kirtichandra Barbarua. It was through the intervention of the Ahom
Victors that the Kacharis obtained a ruler of their own together with the necessary paraphernalia of
sovereignty. The Ahom kings regarded the Kachari Raja as their vassal, and always resented any move
on the part of the Kachari Rajas which tended to repudiate their time-honoured obligations to the Ahom
king.
The Ancient Tripura kingdom in the Kapili valley : Like the Ahom kings of Assam the rulers of
the kingdom known as Tripura also maintained regular historical account of their dynasty. Legends say
that, Madhava Kandali alias Kaviraj Kandali composed the Assamese Ramayana by order of Shri
Mahamanikya, the Barahi Raja. Whether this Barahi Raja was a king of the Barahi Kacharis as
supposed by Late Pandit Hem Chandra Goswami or some other person who ruled Tripura is a
controversial matter.
The Tripura kings trace their descent from Drukyo, the son of Yajati. It is said that Pratardana,
who was twentyfifth in descent from Drukyo, conquered the Kiratas and founded a kingdom the capital
of which was on the bank of the river Kapili. The Sanskrit Rajamala describes that the ancient kingdom
of Tripura, called Trivega comprised the Kapili Valley, the North-Cachar Hills and also the modern
district of Cachar to the west of Manipur.
Vincent Smith writes that a king of the Ka-pi-li kingdom named ''Yue-Ai'' sent an embassy to
China in the year 428 A.D. And he identifies Ka-pi-li with the Kapili of Assam. It seems,
therefore,very likely that he was the king of the ancient Tripura dynasty and that this kingdom in Kapili
Valley lasted till, at least, the fifth century A.D. It further appears that the Kapili Valley is still knows as
Davaka. Hence, this tract has been identified with the kingdom mentioned as Davaka in Samudra
Gupta's inscription of the fourth century A.D. It seems, therefore, that through the Tripura kings may
have themselves called this kingdom Trivega, it was well known to outsiders as 'Kapili' or 'Davaka' and
both these names still persist; one attached to the river and the other applied to the valley of this river.
Tripura, the son of Daitya; and Trilochan the son of Tripura, were both powerful kings. Dakshin
was the second son of Trilochan. The eldest son Drikpati having married the daughter of the sonless
king of Herembha (Hedamba) succeeded to the throne of his father-in-law. When Trilochan died, the
younger brother of Dakshin, together with the help of nobles raised Dakshin to the Tripura
HISTORY 125
throne. Thereupon Drikpati, the king of Hedamba, claimed both the kingdoms by right of succession
and fought a great battle where Dakshin and his brothers surrendered to the king of Hedamba. The
ancient Trivega, Kapili or the Davaka kingdom became absorbed in the Hedamba kingdom in about the
fifth century A.D.
The copper plate inscription of Harjaravarman has been found at Hayungthal within the Kapili
Valley indicating that in the ninth century A.D. the area of Kapili Valley was absorbed within the
Kamrupa kingdom.
Ratnapha, who was twenty second in descent from Adi Dharmapha, first assumed the surname
Manikya. Mahamanikya was the great grandson of Ratnamanikya and can be placed in the middle of
the fourteenth century. On the other hand, Pandit Hem Chandra Goswami has placed Madhava Kandali
and his patron,the Barahi Raja Maha Manikya, also in the middle of the fourteenth century. As the
royal families of Tripura and Cachar claimed relation with each other and also because ethonologically
they belong to the same group,it is very likely that during the fourteenth century Barahi Kingdom
extended over Kapili Valley, Cachar, North Cachar and also Tripura and that Mahamanikya ruled over
this vast kingdom, in the middle of that century. His Highness the Maharaja Manikya Bahadur of
Tripura is therefore, the lineal representative of one of the oldest ruling houses in the whole of India.
Bhuyan Chiefs : It was the thirteenth century when a line of Chutiya kings ruled the country
east of the Subansiri and the Disang, and the Kachari kingdom was flourishing in central Assam on the
south bank of the Brahmaputra, and prohably extended at least half way across the Nagaon district.
Towards the west of the Kacharis on the south bank of the Brahmaputra and of the Chutias on the
north, a number of petty chiefs called Bhuyans held sway over a vast territory. The boundary between
the tract ruled by these chiefs and the kingdom of Kamarupa altered from time to time. A powerful
prince might bring many of them under his control, but they regained there independence under weak
prince. Gait mentioned that these chiefs were remembered in Assamese legends as the Bara-Bhuyans.
As correctly stated by Gait, each chief was independent of the others within his own domain, but they
seem to have been in the habit of joining their forces whenever they were threatened by a common
enemy. ''74 But why the Bara (twelve) number is always mentioned both in Bengal and Assam is still
controversial.
74. E.A. Gait : A History of Assam, p.38

Gait explained the term ''Bhuyan'' as nothing to do with caste. It meant the ''lord of the Land''. Sri
Sankardeva himself used the word ''Bhowmik''as a synonym of the term 'Bhuyan'. It was the practice in Eastern
India for kings to appoint twelve advisers of Governors. Naranarayan had twelve ministers of state, twelve
Dolois were placed in charge of the hilly portion on the Jaintia Raja and there were twelve state councillors in
Nepal. The number thus became connected in the minds of the people with all dignitaries ranking next to Raja
and so came to be used in a purely conventional sense.
There were various stories about the Bara-Bhuyan, which often refer to entirely different groups of
chiefs and they are to a great extent mere legends.
According to H.N. Dutta Barua the petty Chieftains were known as 'Bhowmik' during the time of Pala
kings. Their domain was called 'Bhuma'. Perhaps, the word Bhuyan thus originated from the term ''Bhuma''.This
view is supported by the fact that Chandibar who came from Kanauj became a Bhowmik under king
Durlavanarayan of Gaud. Subsequently. he came to be known as Siromoni Bhuayn.
The Guru Charita and the Sankar Charita version of the origin Bara-Bhuyan of Nagaon is that, after the
war between Durlavnarayan and Dharmanarayan, Kamateswara and Gaudeswara respectively, a treaty was
executed between the two kings and Dharmanarayan sent seven families of Brahmins and seven families of
Kayasthas to Durlav Narayan, who settled them on the frontier as wardens of the marches. The ablest of these
seven Kayastha families was Chandibar who subsequently became their leader. Their head quarters were at
Paimaguri. Once the Bhutiyas raided their territory and carried off many people including the son of Chandibar.
Chandibor and other Bhuyas pushed the raiders and compelled them to release the captives. Chandibar
subsequently settled at Bardowa in Nagaon where his great grandson Sankardeva was born. 75
According to Sarbananda Rajkumar a branch of the Bara-Bhuyans set up numerous petty kingdoms on
the north bank of the Brahmaputra, extending from the Subansiri in the east, down to the Barnadi in the west.
76
Another branch of Bara-Bhuyan ruled over certain areas which now form part of Nagaon district south of the
Brahmaputra.
75. Ibid, pp. 40-41.

76. S. Rajkumar : Chutiya, Bhyuan aru Matak Rajya, pp. 45-52.
HISTORY 127
Nakul Chandra Bhuyan supports the tradition which links Bara-Bhuyans with Samudra and Samanta
connected with Dharmapala and Arimatta. Probably, there were two branches of Bara Bhuyans one of which is
connected with Chandibar and his group; and other with Samudra whose sons were Santanu and Samanta
Prior to the fifteenth century, these Bara- Bhuyans maintained their independence against the Kachari
and Chutiya kings. But with the entrance of the Ahoms into the power-race, the glory of the Bhuyans started
declining. From the middle of the fifteenth century the Ahom kingdom expanded towards the west at the expense
of the Bara-Bhuyans, Kachari and Chutias. In 1535 A.D.the Ahom king, the Dihingia Raja defeated the Bara-
Bhuyans and ransacked their territory and made them feudatory chiefs.
In the field of religion and culture the period had a unique position. The period witnessed an
efflorescence of the Assamese mind, symbolised by Sri Sankardeva a member of Bara- Bhuyan's family by
whose message of love and forgiveness the whole of eastern India was carried off its feet. During the time, when
Assam was divided among the Bhuyans, Ahoms, Koches, Kacharis, Jayantias,Chutias and Nagas, Shri
Sankardev, the great saint poet of Assam,stepped up the epoch making Neo-Vaishnavite movement in Assam.
The great Shri Sankardeva was born at Bordowa in Nagaon district in 1449 A.D.
Taking advantage of Koch invasions of the Ahom territory about the middle of the sixteenth century, the
Bhuyans discontinued to pay tribute to the Ahoms. It was Pratab Singha (1603-1641 A.D.) who finally subdued
the Bhuyans whose domain extended between the Bharali and the Subansiri. In 1623 A.D.the Bara-Bhuyans
again came to declare their independence and one of the Bhuyan chiefs Uday declared independence during the
reign of Pratap Singha. A great number of followers arrested and executed and the followers getting frustrated
submitted themselves to the power. Thenceforth the Bhuyans between the Subansiri and the Bharali, were bereft
of all their powers.77
Koch king :The Bhuyan chiefs, who were undoubtedly the feudal barons of the later Kamrupa rather
Kamatapur combined against the common foe, attacked Danial's Garrison at Hajo and destroyed it. Thereafter,
for about a decade or more, there was not a common king for Kamatapur in ancient Kamarupa empire, and the
petty Bhuyans again became independent and ruled the country.
77. Sir E. Gait : A history of Assam,1967, p.121

In 1515 A.D. Bisu, The son of Haria Mandal, through his courage took advantage of small Bhuyan
principalities and strifes amongst them forced his way to the front,and subsequently became king under the name
Viswa Singha.
Bisu, the founder of Koch kingdom of Kamrup had a humble origin and defeated the Bhuyans of Ouguri
and Luki but was repulsed by the Bhuyan of Phulguri. But later on, Bisu took advantage of the Bhuyan's soldiers
being engaged in a festival and caught the Bhuyan unprepared and killed them. Thereafter,he subdued the
Bhuyan chiefs of Bijni and other places as also defeated a confederacy of Bhuyan chiefs headed by the Bhuyan
of Karnapur. Then he took Gauhati by defeating the Bhuyan of Pandu and later on turned his attention to the
Bhuyan's of Northern Kamrupa. Thus,the entire country from Karatoya to Barnadi was brought under his sway
by defeating Narayan Gomatha or Head-Bhuyan,Gandhabar Bhuyan of Baushi and their confederacies in Bajali
and Kshetri areas.78
According to DarrangRaj Vansavali,written by Suryakhari,the Bar Bhuyans and Saru Bhuyans subdued
79
by Bisu were Brahmans. The Bhuyans of Ouguri was also a Brahmin and Chuti Bhuyan was a Doivogya. It is
found from Guru Charita that, Narayan Gomatha and other Bhuyans of North Kamrup,who were subdued by
the first Koch king were Kayasthas.80
The account of Koch kings was brought to light by the Vansabali of the Darrang Rajas, which ends
abruptly with the death of Parikshit.
According to M. Neog, Biswa Singha, the first Koch king conquered Darrang together with other
81
principalities viz., Dimarupa, Beltola, Rani, Luki, Boko, Chaygaon, Barnagar, Karaibari, Athiabari etc. Gait,
however, holds that the river Barnadi formed the eastern boundaries of Biswa Singha's territory. S.K. Bhuyan
also confirms this view and holds that the Karatoya in the west to the Barnadi in the east was the Koch territory
under Biswa Singha.82
Viswa Singha subdued the petty princes who surrounded him,founded a magnificent city in Koch Nihar
and set his state in order.
Viswa Singha died after a region of 25 years and was succeeded in 1540 A.D. by his Malla Deva, who
assumed the name of Nara Narayan. The reign of this prince reached the zenith of the Koch power and his
armies,which
78. K.L. Barua : Early History of Kamarupa, pp.190

79. Ibid, pp.190.
80. H.N. Dutta Baruah : Prachin kamrupar Kayastha Samajar Itibrittya.
81. M. Neog : sankardeva and His Times, p.60
82. S.K. Bhuyan : Anglo – Assamese Relations, Gauhati,1949 p.260

HISTORY 129
were led by his brother Sukledwaja met with almost unvarying success. In this capacity, he displayed such skill
and promptness of action that he was nick-named ''Chilarai'' or the ''Kite-king'', during his expeditions against the
people of Assam.
Nara Narayan's conquering tour against the Ahoms was successful under Chilarai, his commander-in-
Chief and he ascended to the north bank of the Brahmaputra as far as Dikrai river. Then followed two other
engagements at Kaliabar and Sala in which,also the Ahoms were defeated. But in the last engagement on the
bank of the Pichala river, Suklengmung, the Ahom king ousted the Koch army inflicting a disastrous defeat. In
course of these operations the Koches constructed an embankment road from their capital at Koch Bihar to
Narayanpur in the south west of present Lakhimpur district,a distance of some three hundred and fifty
miles(560km.).The worked was carried out under the supervision of Gohain Kamal,the kings brother,and is
known to this day as ''Gohain Kamal Road''. 83 Nara Narayan entered the Ahom capital Gargaon, (the modern
Nazira) but the outcome of the war was an absolute defeat for the Koches many of them were slain and their
arms were captured.
The decisive defeat of the Koches at the hands of Ahoms had not discouraged them at all and the two
brothers proceeded with conquest and compelled the rulers of Manipur, Jayantia, Tipparah, Sylhet, Khyarim and
Dimarua to accept the Koch suzerainty. But the tide of fortune turned when at attack was made on the kingdom
of Gaud. It was Kala Pahar,who fought successfully and repulsed the first attack on Gaud by Nara Narayan in
1565., when the ever victorious Koch prince Chilarai was captive in the hands of the Sultan of Gaud.
Naranarayan would not, however,accept this defeat as final and a few years later joined with the Emperor Akbor
in second attack upon the Badshah of Gaud, and Gaud was divided between the Emperor of Delhi and the Koch
king. Shortly before this expedition Nara Narayan had restored the famous temple at Kamakhya,which had been
injured by the Muhammadan invader Kalapahar in 1565 A.D.
Decline of Koch kingdom, Raghu Raj, 1581-1603 A.D. :As for a long time Naranarayan had no male
offspring, Chilarai's son Raghu Rai was regarded as his heir. But in his late age, Naranarayan begot a son called
Lakshmi Narayan. Raghu Rai, losing hope of succeeding to the throne withdrew from the capital to Barnagar in
the Barpeta Sub-division of the Kamarupa district. Naranarayan
83. N.N. Archaryya : The History of Medieval Assam, Gauhati, p. 195.

endeavoured to compel him to return,but his soldiers were defeated and the king weekly resolved to divide his
kingdom.84
Raghu Rai thus, came into possession of the country now included the the Mangaldai Sub-division and
the district of Kamrup and Goalpara. He rebuilt the Manikut of Haygrib temple at Hajo, which had been
destroyed by Kalapahar. On Naranarayan's death Lakshmi Narayan ascended the throne. 85
Raghu Rai was succeeded by his son Parikshit in 1603 A.D. The prince mounted cannon at Pandunath,to
the west of the Kamakhya hill, and built a town at North Guwahati,whose fortification can still be traced for
many kilometres even at the present day. A struggle for independence was continued by Parikshit involving him
in incessant hostilities with Lakshmi Narayan. Lakshmi Narayan made his submission to Mughal and Parikshit
to Ahom. Ultimately in 1614 A.D. Parikshit surrendered to the Mughal emperor after a long and desperate war
and his dominion upto the Barnadi was annexed to the Delhi empire with headquarters at Hajo. Parikshit's
son,Chandra Narayan alias Bijit Narayan was confirmed by the Mughals as the Zamindar of the territory
between the Sonkosh and the Manah with establishment at Bijni.
In 1615 A.D., Parikshit's brother Bali Narayan fled away and sought shelter under the Ahom king Pratap
Singha. He was cordially received by the latter. In 1616 A.D. the Ahom king Pratap Singha inflicted a crushing
defeat on the invading Muslims on the bank of the Bharali in Darrang district and appointed Bali Narayan as the
tributary Raja of Darrang and renamed him Dharma Narayan. His brother Gaj Narayan was set up as a tributary
chief of Ahoms at Beltola.
Dharma Narayan helped the Ahoms to fight the Mughals and at first succeeded in wresting out a part of
Goalpara and Kamrup for the Mughals but subsequently had suffered a retreat and defeat. In 1639, a treaty
between the Mughal Commander Allah Tar Khan and the Ahom General Momai Tamuli Barbarua was signed to
fixed the boundary between the two powers at the Barnadi on Darrang-Kamrup boundary on the north bank and
Asurar Ali near Gauhati on the south bank of the Brahmaputra. 86
84. According to Buchanam Hamilton,the kingdom was founded by Hajo, father of Hira and grand father of
Viswa Singha, and divided by Biswa Singha who allotted the portion on the east of the Sankosh to Sukladwaj or
Silarai, and that on the west of the river to Nara Narayan. On general grounds,however,this account seems to be
less probable than given in the body of the text.
85. Sir. E. Gait : A History of Assam, pp. 57-64.
86. S. K. Bhuyan : Anglo Assamese relations, 1949, pp 262-63.
HISTORY 131
Assam in the Ahom Age (1228-1826):
The Advent of the Ahoms :
It has now been well-established that the Ahoms were a section of the Tai race. Historically, these
people are known for their valley-dwelling and wet-rice-growing character. The particular branch to which the
Ahoms belong is known as the Tai-mao, or the Mao section of the Tai but widely known through the Burmans as
the Shan. Ahom chronicles, or buranji, make specific mention that the Ahoms were led by Prince (Chao-lung)
Sukapha who left Mong Mao-lung in 1215 A.D. Sukapha's followers included several nobles (thao-mong),a
number of officers of various ranks, nine thousand men, woman and children. After a westward march for
thirteen years and staying at several places for periods ranging from one to three years, they arrived at the Patkai
in 1228 A.D. Posting a governor at the Khamjang valley, their first territorial unit, situated on the shore of the
Nongjang lake, Sukapha and the rest of his party at first followed the Namrup, then the Buri Dihing (Nam-jin),
thereafter the Brahmaputra, and the Dikhow before finally arriving at Charaideo, which became his permanent
capital. On the way,he also organized several other territorial units along the bank of these rivers. In this way a
small kingdom bounded by Patkai, the Buri Dihing, the Brahmaputra, the Dikhow and the Naga hills was
founded in Upper Assam over which Sukapha ruled till his death in 1268 A.D.
This territory was peopled chiefly by the Morans and the Borahis, and a few villages of the Chutiyas and
the Kacharis evidently of Bodo origin; Nagas were also included in the hilly region of the Patkai. Sukapha won
over the chiefs of Morans and the Borahis, and even encouraged intermarriage with them,and appointed some of
them in various capacities in the royal household.
The Early Ahom State :

From the thirteenth to the fifteenth century A.D.,Ahoms were busy mainly in consolidating their newly
acquired territory and also protecting it from neighbouring powers. However,the reign of Sukhangpha(1293-
1332),the fourth Ahom king, saw the first war with the ruler of Kamata kingdom. The reason for the war is not
given in the buranji. It was brought to a close when the Kamata ruler sued for peace by offering a princes, Rajani
by name. This event indicates the growing strength of the Ahom power. Tao-Kham-thi (1380-89),the seventh
king, led a successful expedition against the Chutiya king for murdering his brother Sutupha (1369-76) at a
regatta. The reign of Sudanghpha(1398-1407), better known as ''Bamuni Konwar'' for his birth in the house of a
Brahmin at Habung, is important in several respects. It was for the first time that Brahmanical influence had its
entry into the Ahom royal palace,The capital was transferred to Charagua near the bank of river Dihing. On the
report of
some nobles who were dissatisfied with Sudangpha for his subordination to Hindu influence, the Tai rulers of
Mong Kwang (Mogaung) sent an expedition to annex the Ahom kingdom. In the battle fought at Kuhiarbari, the
invaders were forced to retreat and came to terms in a treaty concluded on the shore of the Nongjang Lake in
1401 A.D. By this treaty the Patkai was fixed as the boundary between Assam and Mong Sudangpha suppressed
a revolt of the Tipamiyas, and he also asserted his sovereignty over the three eastern dependencies viz.,Tipam,
Aiton and Khamjang.
The reigns of four successive Kings Sujangpha (1407-22), Suphokpha (1439-88), and Supempha (1493-
97), covering a period of ninety years were comparatively peaceful barring a brief war with the Dimasa Kacharis
in 1490 A.D. The bordering Nagas, who made some raids were kept in check.
Expansion of the Ahom Kingdom :

The real expansion of the Ahom kingdom began with Suhummong (1497-1539) better known as
Dihingiya Raja,as he belong to the Dihingiya phoid (clan)of the royal family. By this time the Brahmanical
influence grew considerably in the Ahom court so much so that the king is said to have received the Hindu title
Swarganarayan,an equivalent of chao-pha In Tai and the Saka era was also adopted. He transferred his capital to
Dihing. A census of population was done during his reign.
After a serious of armed conflict caused by boundary dispute, the Chutiya king was defeated and killed
and his kingdom centering Sadiya was annexed to the Ahom dominion as a province over which was placed a
governor titled Sadiya Khowa Gohain. He also defeated the Kacharis of the Doyang-Dhansiri Valley and brought
their territory under the Ahoms as a province called Marangi,and placed a provincial governor titled Marangi
Khowa Gohain. This was in 1526.The Kachari royal family moved to Maibong leaving Dimapur. After
sometime, on an appeal, the Kachari king at Maibong was given recognition as Thapita-sanchita (established
and preserved) by Suhummong. The same king also brought the Bhuyans on the north bank under Ahom control.
It was during the reign of Suhummong that the first major invasion of Assam by the Pathan rulers of Bengal
occurred. After an initial expedition by Bir Malik and Bar Ujir, the two Bengal generals, Turbuk was
commissioned by the Sultan of Bengal. In a major encounter,the Ahom side lost several of their generals and
many soldiers. However,in a renewed naval war after sometime,the Ahom side gained superiority leading to the
defect and the death of Turbak. A large number of arms,cannons,horses and soldiers were captured by the
Ahoms. The defeated army was pushed through Kamrup and Kamata where the people co-operated with the
victors. The ruler of Kamata, Durlabhendra accepted Ahom
HISTORY 133
protection by offering his daughter. The Ahom army marched westward as far as the Karatoya, the eastern
frontier of Bengal, and built a small brick temple on its bank. Thus by 1534, the Ahom army liberated Kamrup
and Kamata king. Suhummong established relation with Manipur and Orissa; and Viswa Singha, the rising Koch
chief visited his court and acknowledged his allegiance. By his great zeal and enterprise, Suhummong extended
the Ahom dominion from the eastern confine of Sadiya to the Karatoya,and successfully failed the invasions of
Assam by the Muslim rulers of Bengal. Due to the expansion of the Ahom dominion during his reign, non-Ahom
population in the Ahom kingdom greatly increased.
The reign of Suklenmong (1539-52) and Sukhampha (1553-1603) were mainly important for Koch
expeditions to the Ahom kingdom.The first was conducted by Viswa Singha which,however,did not materialise
as the Koch army. The second major invasion led by king Naranarayan, with his younger brother Sukladhwaj
popularly known as Chilarai occupied the Ahom capital Garhgaon. However, the Koch army soon returned after
a peace treaty. This was the last Koch invasion of the Ahom kingdom.
The Period of Ahom-Mughal Conflict
The history of the Ahoms during the seventeenth century was mainly the history of the Ahom-Mughal
conflict which arose of the imperial ambition of the Mughal emperors to extend their dominions to further east
beyond Bengal,and if possible to seek routes to China and Tibet;at the same time to collect certain articles such
as gold dusts, long pepper, elephant teeth, musk, lack, etc., obtained in Assam which were valued greatly by the
royalty and nobility in the Mughal courts. The absorption of the Koch kingdom into the Mughal dominions made
the Ahom kingdom coterminous. The long reign of Susengpha (1603-41)better known as Pratap Singha was
important in the history of Assam in several respects. The Mughal claim on the Koch territory to the east of
Barnadi and the trading adventures of certain Mughal merchants caused conflict and tension along the border
leading to the first serious battle with the Mughal army and navy at Bharali near Tezpur in which the enemy side
was completely routed. This was in 1616 A.D.A vivid description of the plight of the Mughal soldiers is given in
the Baharistan-i-Ghayli by Mirza Nathan,a Mughal general. About 1700 men of the enemy side were
killed,double this number were wounded and 9000 men were taken as prisoners. This was followed by a series of
campaigns against the Mughals. In 1618,there was another serious battle at Hajo in which the Ahoms lost nearby
4000 boats, and an equal number of men were killed. The war, however, did not stop,but continued with
occasional outburst, and the pendulum of victory moved from one side to another in
Kamrup. Ultimately, peace was restored by a treaty concluded by Momai Tamuli Barbarua and Allah Yar Khan
in 1639 where by the Barnadi on the North and the Asurar Ali on the south were fixed as the boundary between
the Ahom and Mughal territories. It did not, however, last for a very long time.
During the early years of Pratap Singha's reign, the Kachari king, who was always considered thapita-
sanchita status by the Ahom kings, was bold enough to show his defiance by declining to comply a request for
passage of a Jaintia princess through his country. An Ahom army led by Sunder Gohain was badly defeated and
the general himself was killed by the Kacharis led by Prince Bhimbal in 1606 A.D. Soon, however, relation with
the Kachari king was restored. Pratap Singha also cultivated good relations with the Jaintia king.
Pratap Singha introduced certain reforms in the administration and reorganized the paik. Two very
important posts that of the Barbarua and the Barphukan were created;the former was placed as the head of the
secretariat and judiciary immediately under the king; the later was placed in charge of lower Assam west of
Kaliabor, and also head of diplomatic relations with the west. Several other new posts of lesser important were
also created. A census of population was undertaken, and the paik system was extended to newly acquired
territories. All free adult population were registered as paik for state services. A squad for four paiks constituted
the lowest unit called got,and twenty such units were commanded by a Bora, one hundred by a Saikia ,and one
thousand by a Hazarika. Departments were usually headed by Phukan, Baruah, Rajkhowa according to their
importance. Among other notable works of Pratap Singha included construction of several important
roads,bridges,excavation of tanks and ramparts. He also built several towns. The king was liberal and catholic in
his religious policy.
The short reigns of his two immediate successors Surampha (1641-44) and Suchingpha (1644-48)were
not of much importance. The reign of Sutamla, better known by his Sanskrit title Jayadhwaj Singha(1648-
63)was marked by a major invasion of Assam by the Mughal army headed by Mir Jumla, the newly appointed
Nawab of Bengal. It was apparently a retaliatory action taken against the occupation of Sarkar Kamrup by the
Ahom army by taking advantage of the confusion that ensued following the disposal of Shah Jahan by his son's.
The large army of infantry and cavalry supported by a strong navy mostly manned by Europeans chiefly the
Portuguese and the Dutch proceeded towards the capital of Assam by overrunning the defenses put up at
Hatichala-Baritala, Pancharatan-Jogighopa and Pandu-Saraighat. After the occupation of the fort at Samdhara
following a stiff battle and a keenly contested naval victory near Kaliabor on the Brahmaputra, the Mughal army
advanced towards the Ahom capital, Garhgaon, Jayadhwaj Singha with his family and close associates evacuated
the capital,and retreated to Namrup hills close to the Patkai. The
HISTORY 135
Mughal army occupied Garhgaon, and established outposts at several places in Upper Assam ;Mir Jumla himself
made his headquarters at Mathurapur . However,when the rainy season started,these outposts had been cut off by
flood and became isolated while the Mughal navy with big war boat which remained at Lakhnow could not help
them. The Ahom army then started to harass by adopting guerilla method of warfare. Due to disruption of
communication,the Mughal army was placed under great hardship;the physical as well as moral condition began
to deteriorate. The health of Mir Jumla became worse as he had been suffering from consumption. Under the
circumstances,a peace proposal initialed by the Ahom side was ultimately agreed upon. The treaty of
Ghiladharighat at Tipam on the Buri Dihing was drawn up on Jan.9, 1663 by which Jayadhwaj became a
tributary of the Mughal Emperor. He agreed to pay a huge war indemnity, the cessation of all territory west of
the Bharali on the north bank on the state of 'Dimarua', Beltola west of the Kallong on the south bank of the
Brahmaputra. Jaydhwaj Singha's daughter accompanied by the daughter of Tipam Raja was sent to Delhi and the
sons of the ministers were sent as hostage with the Mughal till full payment was made. Mir Jumla and his army
left Assam. Soon after his return to Bakotha,as Garhgaon, as Garhgaon was despoiled by the Mughals,
Jayadhwaj Singha passed away in 1663. He was the first Ahom king to embrace Hinduisim by receiving
initiation from a Vashnava priest. He made large revenue free land grants with paiks to several Hindu satras
(monasteries). One of the notable achievements of Jayadhwaj Singha's reign was the planned settlement of
villages in certain tracts of the country. However, Mir Jumla's invasion caused devastation of the economic and
social condition of the kingdom.
Mir Jumla was accompanied by a news reporter ( waqia navis) named Mirza Mahammad Wali,
Poetically known as Shihabuddin Talish, who left a very valuable account of Assam, its climate, population,
manners and customs, products, and of its capital Garhgaon. A few excerpts may be of interest.
''Although most of the inhabitants of the neighbouring hills pay no tax to the Rajah of Assam,yet they
accept his sovereignty and obey some of his commands.''
''From Lakhaugarh to Garhgaon,also, there are roads,houses and farms in the same style;and a lofty and
wide embanked road has been constructed upto Garhgaon for traffic.''
The people of the country are free from certain fatal and loathsome diseases such as leprosy, white
leprosy, elephantiasis, cutaneous eruptions, goitre and hydrocele, which prevail in Bengal.''
''It is not the custom here to take any land tax from the cultivators; but in every house one man out of the
three has to render service to the Raja.''
''In all the past ages no(foreign) king could lay the hand of conquest
on the skirt of this country, and no foreigner could treat it with the foot of invasion.''
''And all the people of his country, not placing their necks in the yoke of any faith,eat whatever they get
from the hand of any man,regardless of his caste,and undertake any kind of labour.''
''Their language differs entirely from that of all the people of Eastern India.''
''They cast excellent matchlocks and bachadar artillery, and show a great skill in this craft. They make
first rate gunpowder..''
''The common people bury their dead with some of the property of the deceased,placing the head towards
the east and the feat towards the west.''
Talish also left a vivid and valuable description of Garhgaon, and the royal palace.
Chakradhwaj Singha (1663-70)himself to be a person of indomitable courage and firm determination

who refused to put on the gown (siropa) sent by the Mughal court to him as a tributary king.'' Death is preferable
to a state of subordination to Bangal'' he uttered. Preparations for war were soon complete, and Kamrup was
again recovered by a strong Ahom navy ,and infantry under the Command of Lachit Barphukan in 1667. The
Mughal occupational army was badly mauled. Following this several fortifications had been raised on both
banks surrounding Guwahati to protect it against any further attack. Having received the news of Mughal
reverse, the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb despatched a Rajput general Raja Ram Singh, son of Raja Jay Singh of
Amber with a large force with order to chastise the ''wicked tribe''(the Ahoms).Ram Singh advanced towards
Guwahati by occupying several posts which the Ahoms evacuated for strategic reasons to concentrate at
Guwahati. Ram Singh made his camp at Hajo. The Ahom army under Lachit Barphukan and other generals
including Atan Buragohain foiled every attempt of Ram Singh to occupy Guwahati by war and diplomacy,and
the war dragged on for several years with loss on both sides. In the meantime,Udayaditya ascended the throne in
1669. The Battle of Saraighat fought in 1671 was the last determined attempt of Ram Singh which met
ignominious defeat at the hands of the Ahom. The defeated army was pushed back beyond the Manaha river. It
may be mentioned that in the war against the Mughals, many of the neighbouring hill people sent their
contingents and successfully fought against the invaders.
From the death of Ramdhwaj Singha, the successor of Udayaditya Singha, in 1675 to the accession of
Gadadhar Singha in 1681, there ensured a period of weak and unstable government during which several weak
and young kings were placed on the Ahom throne the quickly removed by ministers and high officials for their
own selfish gains than for the welfare of the kingdom . By
HISTORY 137
taking advantage of the situation, Laluk Barphukan, the Viceroy of Lower Assam at Guwahati treacherously
handed Guwahati over to the Mughals.
The first major achievement of Gadadhar Singha (1681-96), who was installed king at Kaliabor by the
nobles and officers, was the expulsion of the Mughals from Guwahati and Kamrup by defeating them at the
Battle of Itakhuli. They were pursued down to the Manaha, which henceforth became the Ahom-Mughal
boundary till 1826. The king then suppressed all conspiracies to weaken the power of the Monarch, and reduced
the tribes who created troubles in the border. He also controlled the growing power of the Hindu religious
heads,but he was no bigot in his religious policy. Possessing a towering personality, Gadadhar Singha restored
the authority of the king, and brought peace and order to the country.
Rudra Singh's reign (1696-1714) marks new turning point in the history of Assam. Inherited from his
father a strong monarchy and a peaceful kingdom, Rudra Singha now found time and resources to build a new
capital at Rangpurnear the present town of Sibsagar on the Dikhow by importing artisans and masons, and
know-how from Bengal. When the Rajas of Cachar, who was treated by the Ahoms as thapita-sanchita, and
Jaintia showed signs of insubordination, they were captured and brought before Rudra Singha and were
compelled to acknowledge the sovereignty of the Ahoms. The king had planned to invade Bengal with the
support of the rulers and chiefs of the neighbouring states like Tripura, Koch Bihar, Burdwan and Nadia. When
all preparations were complete and the vast army assembled at Guwahati for the march, Rudra Singha suddenly
fell ill and passed away in that city. The king is known for his liberal policy; he allowed to grow trade with
Bengal, and also imported several cultural items like dress, festival, songs, etc.,from that country. This resulted
in a slow cultural synthesis.
Later Ahom Kings :

The first half of the eighteenth century was peaceful,and the reigns of two kings Siva Singha (1714-
44)and Pramatta Singha (1744-51),saw the unprecedented growth of Hindu religious proclivities, and the
building of Hindu temples. A great number of endowments of land and man were made for sustaining these. Siva
Singha's queen Phuleswari,who acquired great influence over him, even dared to insult Vaishnava mahantas by
forcing them to bow down to the Goddess Durga . From this time onwards, the Ahom kings became more
attached to Sakta faith which introduced a new element in the social and political life. The traditional Ahom
religious institutions fell into negligence ,and the Ahoms who remained stuck to their own religion and
customs,became a degraded class. At the same time ,cultural penetration from Berigal continued unabated.
The reign of Rajeswar Singha (1751-69),a younger brother of Siva Singha saw the rise of Kirti Chandra
Barbarua to power and status. One of the important
events of his reign was the despatch of the Ahom army against the Burmese in Manipur whose legal ruler Jai
Singh (known as Bhagya Chandra in Manipur) was driven away by them and who came to Assam through
Kachari country. Jai Singh strengthened his relation with Rajeswar Singha by giving his daughter Kuranganayani
in marriage to the latter. This followed the policy of his predecessors by making endowment of land and men to
religious persons and institutions.
Lakshmi Singha's reign (1769-1780)was disrupted by the revolt of the Moamarias, the followers of the
Mayamara Mahanta of orthodox Vaishnava persuasion. Several causes are attributed to the revolt of which one is
the physical punishment meted by Kirti Chandra Barbarua to Nahar, the chief of the Morans who came to make
annual offer of elephant which was found lean and haggard. Nahar was mortified at this and was looking for
support to taker revenge on the Barbarua. Already Phuleswari's action had inflamed the situation. The climax
was reached when the Moamaria Gossain was abused by the Barbarua for being indifferent to him. The Morans
were then ready to fight. They were joined by three exiled Ahom princes. The rebels advanced towards the
capital Rangpur and after defeating the royal troops at several engagements they arrived at Rangpur. The king
who attempted to flee was pursued and captured, and was put in confinement at the temple of Jaysagar.
Ramakanta was declared king and Nahar became the Barbarua. The Morans preserved the entire structure of the
Ahom govt. However, after a few months, the Moran rule was overthrown and the insurgents were punished.
King Lakshmi Singha was released from captivity and was restored. Like his predecessors, the king made a
number of grants of rent free land with men, and built several temples.
Decline and fall of the Ahom Kingdom :
The Kingdom began to decline from the time of Gaurinath Singha (1780-95). In 1782, the Moamarias
insurrection rose again with renewed vigour and increased violence. They advanced to Garhgaon and created
panic among the population. The advance was halted and the rebels were treated with severity and many were
executed. Such a step aggravated the situation. After a brief pause, the disturbances caused by the Moamarias
swept down across the north bank. After defeating the royalists, the Moamarias advanced towards the capital.
Assistance was sought from Manipur, Kachari, Jaintia and the chiefs of Rani, Beltola, Luki. Before the help
arrived, the rebels occupied Rangpur; Gaurinath Singha with the members of his family sailed downstream, and
reaches Nagaon, and then to Guwahati. At Rangpur, the Moamarias set up Bharath Singha as king; but the
Hatisungi Morans set up Sarbananda as their king of the territory to the east of Dihing and both minted coins in
their names. Krishnanarayan of Darrang had also organized a large force and occupied North Guwahati.
HISTORY 139
Purnananda Buragohain shifted the centre of administration of Dichoi,later known as Jorhat,which became the
new Ahom capital.
Under the circumstances, Gaurinath Singha appealed for help of men and materials to the East India
company's authorities through Raush, a salt merchant and Mr. Dauglas,Commissioner of Koch Bihar. In
response to this, Lord Cornwallis, the Governor General despatched Captain Thomas Welsh with sepoys who
arrived at Goalpara in early November, 1792; and from there, on receiving urgent message from the king moved
upstream the Brahmaputra. The meeting between the king and Capt. Welsh took place at Nagarberra on the
Brahmaputra. Advancing further,Captain Welsh suppressed the rebellious elements at Guwahati and on the north
bank. He also pacified Krishnanarayan, the rebellious prince at Darrang and expelled many of the Burkendazes
who assisted him. Sometime later he advanced to Jorhat, and then to Rangpur where he defeated the Moamarias,
and restored the authority of Gaurinath Singha at Rangpur in 1794. In the midst of this success, Capt. Welsh was
recalled by Sir John Shore, the new Governor General,and he left Assam. During his stay in the kingdom, he
concluded a commercial treaty in 1793 by which commerce between Assam and Bengal was sought to be put on
''reciprocal basis''. The Report of Capt. Welsh which he submitted to his government in response to certain
queries gives certain important information in regard to the system of Ahom govt., trade and commerce,
products,etc. Although Gaurinath Singha is depicted by some as cruel and vindictive,he had certain pieces of
good work like the abolition of human sacrifice at the Kechaikhati temple at Sadiya.
Kamaleswar Singha's reign (1795-1810) witnessed localised revolts at several places in Kamrup which
was successfully suppressed,at Sadiya by the Khamtis, Pani Noras, Miris and others, fresh Moamaria
insurrection in league with the Daflas. In spite of these,he connected the new capital Jorhat by constructing
several new roads like the Na-ali, the Rajabahar Ali,the Mohabandha Ali, the Kamarbandha Ali,etc. and also
built a copper-house at Kamakhya. The reign of Chandra Kanta Singha (1810-18) saw the Burmese invasion.
Friction between Purnananda Buragohain and Badan Chandra Barphukan and a conspiracy by Satram to
overthrow the former led the latter to go to the Burmese capital Amarapura where he pleaded for assistance
against the Buragohain . Bodoupaya, who had already had his eyes on Assam,seized the opportunity to send an
army of about sixteen thousand men with Badan Chandra to Assam. The Burmese army after defeating the
Assamese army at several engagements arrived at Jorhat. Chandra Kanta Singha was retained as king, and Badan
Chandra assumed power as minister. The Burmese then retired to their country with large presents. But soon the
assassination of Badan Chandra,and installation of Purandar Singha by ousting Chandra Kanta Singha,once
again brought the Burmese under the command of Ata Mingi to Assam in 1819. On their advance, Purandar and
his prime minister Rudinath fled to Guwahati,
and Chandra Kanta Singha was once again restored to the throne despite his mutilation of person caused in the
meanwhile. After the departure of the Burmese, Chandra Kanta Singha sought to raise a fort at Jaipur against
further Burmese invasion. However,a Burmese force sent by their Monarch with presents of ornaments and dress
to Chandra Kanta Singha seeing such preparations killed Patalong under whose supervision the fort was raised.
Thinking this hostile move on the part of the Burmese army, Chandra Kanta fled to Guwahati and did not come
back in spite of Burmese assurance. This was in 1821. The Burmese then set up an Ahom prince, Jogeswar
Singha. Chandra Kanta Singha crossed the border and entered Bengal where he tried to collect arms and men to
fight the Burmese. At the battle of Mahgarh, Chandra Kanta's army was badly defeated, and he once again
entered the British territory.
The period from 1821 to 1824 is called period of Burmese rule. During this period,the Burmese
devastated the country and committed atrocities by plunder and killing. The Burmese also threatened the
Goalpara frontier of Bengal by demanding the surrender of Assamese refugees including Chandra Kanta Singha,
and their supporters who often gave trouble of them across the border. In that time, the border conflict in the East
India Company's Chittagong frontier with the Burmese empire took serious turn. Anticipating a threatened
invasion of Bengal,the prized possession of the Company in India,lord Amherst,the Governor General decided to
declare war on Myanmar (Burma). War was declared on the 5 th of March 1824. This is the First Anglo Burmese
War which lasted for nearly two years.
Immediately after the declaration of war,the British army entered Goalpara frontier of Assam and after
defeating the small Burmese garrisons in Lower Assam,it advanced to Upper Assam. By taking advantage of a
dissension among the Burmese commanders,the British occupied Rangpur in 1825 and drove the Burmese and
their allies, the Singphos out of Assam. A section of the Burmese army surrendered to the British remained in
Assam.
Immediately on the occupation of Assam by the British, martial law was declared; David Scott was
appointed as civil officer in charge of civil matters, and Col. Richards in charge of the army,and the British
started their administration.
By Article II of the Treaty of piece and friendship which was concluded between the British and the
Burmese at Yandabo on 24 February 1826, the Burmese monarch renounced all claims upon and promised to
refrain from all interference with, the principality of Assam and its dependencies. As Assam was already
occupied by the British during the Anglo-Burmese war, it was kept under British occupation and started
introducing British administration.
HISTORY 141
The Ahom system of Administration :
The system of Government was partly monarchical and partly aristocratic. The king or Swarga
Maharaja as he was called,was the supreme head of the State. All honours, titles, offices, decisions and war-
measures emanated from him, but he had to act according to the advice of the five hereditary councilors of State,
the Buragohain, the Bargohain, the Barpatra-gohain, the Barbaruah and the Barphukan.
The state of Jaintia, Cachar, Khrim and Manipur were in friendly alliance with the Ahom Government.
The province of Darrang enjoyed complete autonomy in its internal administration,as well as the other vassal
states. There were six establishments of princes introduced by Suhummong Dihingia Raja at Charing, Tipam,
Tungkhung, Dihing, Samaguri and Namrup. Each of these princes had their own estates and dependents. All of
them were entitled Raja and belonged to the royal family which started with Sukapha, the first Ahom king.
Subsequently,the title of Charing Raja was reversed for the heir apparent while the title of Tipam Raja and
Namrupia Raja were meant for other nearest blood relations of the reigning monarch. Ambition for the throne
nurtured by some of these families without any political and military training became the cause of the downfall
of Ahom rule in Assam.
The Patra-mantries occupied important position in the political administration and enjoyed enormous
powers. The Barphukan governed as viceroy or deputy to the king,in the tract between the Brahmaputra and the
Kalang in Nagaon, but after extension of the Ahom kingdom in the westward direction he was put in charge of
the country from Kaliabor to Goalpara with his headquarters at Guwahati. He had conduct diplomatic relations
with Bengal, Bhutan and chieftains of Assam frontiers. Other local governors such as Sadiya Khowa Gohain,
Marangi Khowa Gohain, the Solal Gohain and the Kajali Mukhia Gohain,etc., were appointed for the
administration of the outlying areas of the country. Besides,there were other position recruited from respectable
Ahom families for high posts. Among them,the highest rank was of the Phukan,next in rank were the Baruas.
There were twelve Rajkhowas, a number of Khatakis and Dolois.
Adult population of Assam was divided into Khels, Khels into Paiks and areas were constituted into
Chamuas for revenue administration. It was not the usual practice in Assam to pay the revenue in cash. It was
paid through services or paiks etc. The currency of Assam consisted of gold and silver coins.
The liberal and practical outlook shaped the religious of the Ahom monarchs. The image of ''Chom-
Cheng''which Sukapha had brought with his from his ancestral home was the tutelary deity of the Ahom rulers
till the end of their rule.
The general success of the Ahoms in their dealings with the hill tribes was
admitted by the Mughal chronicler Shihabuddin Talish who accompanied Mir-Jumla's expedition in 1662-63
A.D. He wrote-''Although most of the inhabitants of the neighbouring hills pay no tax to the Rajah of Assam yet
they accept his sovereignty and obey some of his commands.'' 87
Regarding the military system of the Ahoms, Ram Singh, the Mughal general had to admit that every
Assamese soldiers was an expert in rowing boats,in shooting arrows,in digging trenches and cannons and that he
did not such specimen of versatility in any other part of India. This proves that the orginasation of army under
the Ahom rulers was efficient and effective.
Law and justice was in action during the Ahom reign. The criminal law was characterised by sterness
and comparative harshness. The penalty for rebellion was various forms of capital punishment.
(e) The Modern Period : Annexation of Assam :

The condition of Brahmaputra valley at the time of the expulsion of the Burmese was most deplorable.
During the transition period the civil administration of Assam was entrusted to David Scott with the title 'Agent
of the Governor General for the whole eastern frontier' from Cachar and Sylhet in the south to Sikkim in the
north. He was at the same time Special Civil Commissioner of North-East Rongpur, ie.,Goalpara and the Garo
Hills. Mr.Robinson says,''Hithero the affairs of the province had been conducted on much the same system that
previously prevailed before the conquest. The officer-incharge exercised a general superintendence and specially
devoted their attention to fiscal business whilst the criminal and civil duties were performed by councils of the
Assamese gentry under the name of Panchayat .There were two or three such Panchayats in each division of the
province. Appeals lay from the court of one Panchayat to that of the next superior court and finally to the court
of the Commissioners.''
In judicial cases, the executive officers were both magistrates and judges trying the accused with the
assistance of the Panchayat but referring all heinous offences accompanied with their options to Mr. Scott for his
final judgement.
The revenue administration was carried on just in the same manner as it had existed the conquest. David
Scott had introduced the improved method of assessing land revenue but it could be completed he breathed his
last in August,1831.
Thus the history of the State under the British rule began after the appointment of David Scott.
The promise made by the British on the eve of the Anglo-Burmese war,that they had no intention of
annexing any portion of the Brahmaputra valley and preferred to stay as conquerors only,had became doubtful.
And,as a result,rebellion broke out. The first rebellion broke out. The first rebellion started by Assamese nobles
against the newly founded authority with demand to withdraw the new administrative system of
87. S. K. Bhuyan : Anglo- Assamese Relation, p.47.

HISTORY 143
revenue,which reduced many of them to abject poverty.

British occupation of lower Assam could not but be viewed with serious concern by the Khasi Chiefs
who held the low hands,commonly known as nine-duars north of their hills. The initiative was taken by
Barmanik, the ruler of Khyrem, who in August 1828 descending down upon the plains of Dimarua a few
kilometres from Guwahati seized collection made by the revenue officers and publicly demanded his
independence on the duars. Next year the second rebellion had broken out the Eastern Assam under the
leadership of the ex-nobility of Assam. But the British Government somehow managed to put off their joint
rebellion.
Nearly all the principalities of Brahmaputra Valley and the hilly regions of Cachar and Jaintia were
annexed to the company's dominion in Assam one by one in the courses of two decades.
Accordingly David Scott,agent to the Governor General,North-East Frontier,extended British suzerainty
over Cachar under an agreement with Raja Govinda Chandra in early March,1834. Raja Ram Singha of Jaintia
later in his agreement with Scott, acknowledged the authority of the British Government.
Thus the process began, though slowly, for the extension of British dominion into Assam or the North-
East Frontier. The people submitted to the inevitable;in fact,they ''hailed with unbounded joy''their deliverers
who saved them from the tyranny of the Burmese and offered them the most loyal co-operation. Even Maniram
Dewan,later an arch-enemy of the British, Heavily welcomed the advent of the English.
Scott's policy of conciliating the former official aristocracy proved a dismal failure. And towards the
close of 1828 the Ahom, the Khasis, the Singphos and also the Bhutias in the north were committing on the
British subjects.
The repeated uprising and the administrative confusion of the period demanded above all a change from
an imperfect British administration. T.C. Robertson succeeded Scott as the agent of the Governor in 1832.
However, in 1832, Upper Assam except Sadiya and Mattak territories was made over to the Ahom prince
Purandar Singha, who set up as a vassal king. In October, 1838,Purandar Singha's territory was taken over by the
British on recommendation of Mr.Jenkin, East India Company's Agent, and Assam as a whole became a ''non-
regulated'' province of the Indian Empire. This was done contrary to their earlier assurances with purely
commercial motive. Purandar Singha was unnecessarily humiliated and it could have been done only with tacit
consent of the rival group of Purandar Singha. The same tactics were followed by the British in finally annexing
Cachar in 1830 and Sadiya were annexed to British India in 1842. 88 Likewise Jaintia, which was kept under the
rule of a vassal king for some years,was annexed in 1835 and Manipur was restored to its ruling dynasty. Along
the southern frontier of Bhutan there were eighteen mountain passes, called
88. B.C. Chakravarty : British Relation with Hill Tribes of Assam, P.16
Bhutan duars .By means of these passes the Bhutan highlanders held their sway over this border and established
their de facto right over this whole belt of border territory. As a result of incessant outrages committed by the
Bhutias on the British subjects, the British Government attached all the Assam duars in 1841 A.D. as the only
means of security and peace in this part of frontier. These duars were the main channels of trade between Tibet
and Assam.
Hostilities with the Mishimis started from a simple incident, when in 1854A.D., French Missionary M.
Kich and his friend N. Bourri crossed the Mishimi country into Tibet. On their return they were murdered by the
Mishims. The Mishimis were defeated in a series of attacks and in 1843 A.D., the rebels made their submission
to the British. The Lushais committed their first raid in 1849 A.D. and the punitive expedition that followed was
so successful that they gave no further trouble till 1858 A.D.
Meanwhile, T.C. Robertson had felt that multifarious activities of a far flung frontier to the frontier
provinces was not justified. He realised the necessity of European officers in Assam for good supervision and on
his recommendation in March, 1833, the supreme Government accorded its approval for the division of the
province into four districts-Goalpara, Kamrup, Darrang and Nagaon; over each was placed a Principal Assistant
vested with the powers of a Collector,Judge and Magistrate.
For many years after British occupation of Assam, Guwahati remained the headquarters of the province,
but on the erection of Assam into a separate province under a Chief Commissioner, the headquarters of the new
administration was shifted to Shillong.
The district boundaries underwent changes since its formation into separate districts in 1833 A.D .The
Dhansiri river originally formed the boundary in the east and the district of Sibsagar included some areas of the
present Karbi Anglong district, North Cachar Hills and Naga Hills. In 1853 A.D.,North Cachar was separated
from a sub-division and in the next year the territory of Tularam was added to North Cachar sub-division. During
1867 A.D.,the Naga Hills and a large part of Karbi Anglong were combined together into a separate district,and
the sub-division of North Cachar was abolished, and considerable area of North Cachar sub-division was placed
in charge of the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar.
The province of Assam was created in 1874 A.D. with a view to relieving the Lieutenant Governor of
Bengal of a part of his huge administrative responsibility. The head of the newly created province was given the
title of ''Chief Commissioner''. In 1905 A.D., Lord Curzon combined the eastern district of Bengal with Assam
but this was reversed in 1912 and Assam was restored to its former territorial position. In 1921,in accordance
with the provisions of the government of India Act, 1919, Assam was given the status of a Governor's province.
HISTORY 145
Condition of the Province on the eve of British occupation and its effects:
The peace and tranquility of the province in the event of British occupation was disturbed by the
disputed succession. Anarchy prevailed in the later Ahom period resulting in maladministration in the State. The
situation was further aggravated by the successive rebellions, the province of Assam had been depopulated to the
extent of half of her population,and under the stress of protracted wars and oppression, the peasants had to give
up cultivation and depend mostly on wild roots and plants. Famine and pestilence stalked the land.
''Mills's report on Assam''stated that, it was not to set the clock back,as desired by Maniram or the people
of his thinking, but to consolidate the possession of the British and to tighten their grip over the administration.
David Scott organised the administration to his best capacity and introduced British system in general
outline and spirit with accommodation for indigenous system prevalent at that time.
The general administration of Assam including justice was vested in the Commissioner of Assam with
his headquarters at Guwahati. A Deputy Commissioner was posted there in 1939 to relieve the commissioner as
Civil and Sessions Judge. Each district was placed in charge of a Principal (Senior)Assistant assisted by a Junior
Assistant and a Sub-Assistant. In 1861,deputy Commissioner was redesignated as Judicial Commissioner;
Principal Assistant as Deputy Commissioner; Junior Assistant as Assistant Commissioner and Sub-Assistant as
Extra Assistant Commissioner.
There was a separate civil judicial establishment consisting of one Principal Sadar Amin six Sadar
Amins and seventeenth Munsiffs. The separate establishment of Sadar Amin and Munsiffs was abolished in
1872. David Scott was mainly responsible for working out the principles of administration in both upper and
lower Assam. The British administration in Lower Assam actually began in 1824-25. The revenue collections
increased in each succeeding year and this must have reduced the people to dire straits.
The British introduced new method of revenue administration. The new system placed paraganas under
Choudhuries who were entrusted with the collection of revenue and administration of justice in petty criminal
cases in their respective paraganas.
The Choudhury was in the nature of a revenue collecting contractor,for he had to pay six months'
revenue to the Government before any collection could be made. Revenue was assessed as per the category of
the cultivated area. Besides revenue, the people was subjected to pay a per capita poll tax of Rs.2/-. On failure to
pay taxes,property of the defaulting tenants was confiscated with the result that peasants at times could not save
their hearth and home. So mounting resentment grew amongst the Assamese peasants who,in fact,were in great
need of undisturbed rehabilitation for some considerable length of time.
The introduction of a new judiciary system by the foreigners also contributed
to the suffering of the people.
To protect lives and properties in the interiors, there existed a police establishment, the thana with a
thanadar or daroga in charge. He was empowered to arrest suspected persons, to detained them and even to hold
preliminary trial before sending them to sadar station.
Under the Chartered Act of 1833 Special lease grants and Fee simple lease grants were introduced in
respect of revenue administration to encourage tea plantation and a company called Assam company was
established by the British. By 1858,almost the entire erstwhile Lakhimpur and Sibsagar were covered by this
company for tea plantation and subsequently expanded its operation to Cachar. Expansion of tea industry
necessitated import of labour from outside the State. Mill gives the figure of such immigrants in Assam in 1881
to be 3 lakhs which reached over six lakhs by 1901.
The commercial treaty of Gaurinath Singha with Captain Welsh in 1793 had opened the gates to the
merchants of Bengal to enter into the interior of the province. Avenues of employment both in office and trade
caused a steady inflow of population from the districts of Sylhet, Dacca, Mymensingh and Rangpur to Assam.
After it came under British administration,the policy adopted by the British in the other parts of India was
pursued in Assam. So, the British, in order to supplement the Chartered Act of 1833, encouraged the
establishment of English schools in Assam as they needed English knowing people to help running of
administration. The Assamese people who were then enjoying a respite after a long and bitter struggle with the
Burmese invaders,were totally unaware of these developments. Besides,there were very few English educated
people in Assam .In April ,1831,Government of Bengal made Bengali in place of Persian the language of the
court. The influx from Bengal not only made the revenue and judicial departments their sole preserve, but their
services became equally indispensable to the newly started Government schools for death of local teachers
specially to impart instructions in Bengali which had since been made the medium of instruction in Assam.
Finally,Assamese was abolished from the schools and courts of Assam in 1839.
Anandaram Dhekial Phukan who was one of the few English educated Assamese was appointed as
Assistant Commissioner. His enlightened mind saw that the lot of the peasantry could not be improved without
knowledge of modern scientific applications and a better mode of living which cannot be acquired without
Western education. He laid stress on the necessity of raising the standard
HISTORY 147
of education and, his was the first voice of protest against the imposition of Bengali as the medium of
instruction, and pleaded for its replacement by Assamese.
Concrete steps were, however, taken by the Christian missionaries who not only carried on a propaganda
through their mouth piece the Arunodoi but also set up a few schools for girls. The first missionary school was
started at Sibsagar by Rev. Nathan Brown and O.T. Cutter in 1840 and this was followed by the schools set up by
Bronson at Nagaon (1843) and Mrs. Barkes at Guwahati in 1850.
With the spread of western ideas the need was gradually felt for the formation of political association
and organisation to ventilate the grievances of the people. The Chartered Act of 1833 was a handy instrument of
the British colonialists who already began spreading out their financial tentacles to serve the interest of the
empire and colonialism. Assam began to suffer from the basic evils of foreign domination as other parts of India
did.
The Freedom Movement :
Anti British movement-Later phase,
The question of revenue collections dominated the relationship between the Government and the people
throughout the 19th century.
The rule of the East India Company ended in 1858 and the whole of India came under the direct control
of the British Crown. The assessment of land revenue was increased, and income tax, stamp duties, etc., were
also imposed by the new administration. The Government carried on trade in opium and salt in the State and
earned considerable profit thereby. The people of Assam who were not accustomed to payment of revenue in
cash began to resent. The British Government undoubtedly introduced beneficial measures like abolition of cruel
practices as chopping off ears, noses, abductions of young women, forced labour, etc., but the evils far out-
weighed these few good measures, Thus in 1853, Moniram Dewan petitioned Mills.''Illustrious Sir, we are just
now, as it were,in the belly of a tiger''. Moniram Dewan was responsible for associating Assam with the rebellion
of 1857. Being disillusioned with the British he turned a rebel in 1857 when the class interest of a section of the
Indian feudal class coincided with the broad national interests against foreign rule. The sepoys of Assam like
infantry battalions both at Dibrugarh and Guwahati remained absolutely passive and strictly loyal to the British.
The Commissioner of Assam in the middle of August 11857 got information from Holroyd, the intelligence
Officer, that several officers of the Assam Light Infantry with the detachment at Golaghat had entered
into a conspiracy with the young prince, Kandarpeswar. Major Jenkins lost non time and drew the attention of
Government of India to the seriousness of the situation and urged it to despatch, as hurriedly as possible,
European force to save the province from the revolutions. The simultaneous outbreak of the sepoys in scattered
areas rendered it difficult to send reinforcements into Assam. To tide over the immediate crisis a small European
force of 104 sea-men,half of them raw recruits, was despatched under Lieutenant Davis on board the
Haroonghatta on Sept', 1857. Moran Dewan from Calcutta sent secret letters through rebel conveyers to
individuals in Assam to win over these sepoys whose brethern in different parts of India fought the British. In
Nagaon, Mr. Morton, the Principal Assistant, destroyed the bridges over the rivers Missa and Diju and cut off the
communication with Jorhat lest the mutineers get into the district from that direction. Enthusiastic stories of the
fall of British power in different parts caused a great deal of excitement among the hillmen as well. The people at
large were in a discontented state,Though not organised. At such a time the Government tightened up security
measures and enforced operation of Act XIV. A large number of arrests took place. The potential rebels were
tired,many were executed while others were deported. Kandarpeswar Singha was arrested and despatched to
Calcutta and kept confined as a state prisoner in Alipur. This was followed by the arrest of Moniram in Calcutta
and his collaborators, both officials and non-officials, Dutiram Baruah, Mayaram Nazir, Marangikhowa Gohain,
Bahadur Gaoburah, Shaikh Formud and several others. This ended the endeavours made by Moniram to
overthrow the British Government in Assam. The great rebellion of 1857 left Assam without much convulsions.
Queen Victoria's proclamation in 1858,ending the Company rule and establishing direct Government
under the Crown promised to respect the rights of the native princes, but exception was made in the case of
Assam and the wrong of 1838 was not undone. Struggle against expatriation's and for land reforms entered the
countryside.
The land revenue assessment which had remained unchanged for the last twenty to thirty years was
enhanced in 1894 and as such the ryots of different places viz.,Rangia and Lashima in the Kamrup district and
the ryots of Patharughat in the Mangaldoi district were the first to react against the enhancement of revenue of
land. The aggrieved,both Hindus and Muslims,met in their Raijmel and protested against the new measure.
Movement of a serious nature occurred for nearly two decades. The renaissance movement of the post 1857
period and the series of aggrarian outbreaks during the last four decades of the 19 th century contributed to the
growth of a conscious national movement for freedom from foreign rule.
HISTORY 149
Freedom Movement in the post – 1857 period : The great rebellion of 1857 was directly responsible
for the birth of the national movement in the country. The uprising of 1857 had imposed severe financial strain
on the British Indian Government. The deficit in budget in 1858-59 compelled them to introduce new taxes as a
result,on the advice of Jam es Wilson,in 1860,income-tax was introduced and this was extended in the following
year to the province of Assam. New economic forces were brought into play and the new social forces though
expressing themselves in their different ways,contributed to the growth of the conscious national forces. After
1857,the character of the struggle against the foreigner changed but the struggle was continued with renewed
intensity depending upon the growth of consciousness from area to area,and Sabhas and Raijar mels became the
most popular institution for solving all sorts of problem faced by the indigenous people of this State.
The uprising at Phulguri was the earliest popular movement in Assam organized with the object to
compelling the Government to yield to the will of the people by the withdrawal of unpopular measures of
taxation. Though the movement failed,the precedent was not lost upon the people and was followed up in other
parts soon after.
In 1861, Hopkinson sought to double the tax on land on the plea of utilising the excess revenue on works
of public utility. The proposal did not receive the approval of the Board of Revenue,and in 1865, Hopkinson
renewed his proposal in a different from proposing to raise the revenue on land with the object of equalising the
rates in all the districts. He also wanted to raise the rates of ''house-hold and garden lands.'' Hopkinson's
proposal, on this occasion, received the approval of the Government of Bengal and consequently rates of rupti
and non-rupti lands increased from 25 to 50 per cent in almost all the districts.
From early 1869, mels were frequently held at Gobindapur, Hadira, and Bajali in Kamrup. A no tax
campaign on a vigorous scale was launched by the

ryots of Rangia and Lachima in the district of Kamrup and Patharughat in Darrang. During the month of
December,1892,people belonging to Tahsils of Pati Darrang ,Nalbari,Barama,Bajali and also of the five mouzas
of upper Borbhag and Sarukhetri in their mels resolved not to yield to any sort of Government pressure and
excommunicate those who would pay revenue to the Government. The movement started with the looting of the
Rangia bazar.
The firm resistance of the ryots and the apprehension of further troubles compelled McCabe to
strengthen security measures. Without prior permission of the Deputy Commissioner,meetings of the mels were
banned. But this could not suppress the people. Troubles of serious nature broke out again at Patharughat,where
the police chased the ryots ,firing continuously along the Mongaldoi road and scores of them lay dead and
wounded. There was also firing at Rangia to disperse a huge and rebellious gathering which demonstrated their
resentment against imposition of enhanced revenue.
The popular uprising,was termed by the British as the ''Assam riots'',and it considered as a very serious
affair and the suppressive measures of the Government were viewed very seriously. The editorial in the Indian
Nation declared that ''the burden which now press upon the land in Assam are considerably heavier than on land
owned by Zamindars in Bengal.'' The Amrita Bazar Patrika observed on its editorial that ''in the Deccan the furry
of the ryots was directed against money lenders,in Bengal against indigo-planters in 1860, in Pabna against
Zaminders in Assam,at this movement,it is open rebellion against the Government.'' 89
Direct British rule after the Queen's proclamation changed the form of Government but internal
administration changed only for the worse. The multiplication of taxes, like stamp duties, income-tax, etc., could
not but be a matter of serious concern to the agricultural ryots,and consequently the Phulaguri riot of 1861 took
place where the tribal peasants of the area demonstrated a popular discontenment protesting against the gradual
enhancement and introduction of new taxes by the British and finally engulfed the entire rural population of
Assam by 1893-94.
Impact of the rising : The peasant movement of Assam had its echo in the Imperial Legislative where
Dr.Rash Bihari Ghosh questioned the propriety of realising land revenue by the agency of special constables.
The authorities could give only vague replies to the pointed questions. Though the risings failed at last,the
lessons were not lost. The national movement was baptised in this economic struggles and it found political
outlet with the birth of national consciousness.
89. Political History of Assam,Vol,1, p. 100-102

HISTORY 151
With the spread of western education during the last part of the nineteenth century a new awakening
surcharged the patriots of the land. The public grievances were forwarded to the Government for consideration
through Raijmels of the different parts of the province. The year of 1885 was recognized as the birth year of
Indian national Congress. Before the birth of this organization,The Ryot sabha was formed by a group of
enlightened people primarily to protest against the enhancement of land revenue and to ventilate other public
grievances in the province. Though the Indian National Congress was not started in Assam in 1885,the delegates
from different Raijmels or sabhas of different districts of the province were sent to attend the congress Session
wherever it held. Devicharan Baruah was the first Assamese to joined in the second Indian National Congress
held in 1886.
British authority had a mortal fear of the authority of the mels which they compared with the Nihilist
organization. The Raij-mels increased popular consciousness and confidence in strength. The Ryot-sabha or
Raij-mels were active in districts like Sibsagar, Nagaon, Darrang, Kamrup and Lakhimpur. The mels in Assam
played an important role in making the people conscious of the utter helplessness in which they lived under the
alien rulers.
The Tezpur Ryot Sabha was established in and around 1884 at the initiative of the new elites,the Ryot
Sabha had a wide base in the villages. It collected small subscriptions from hundreds of peasants and in 1887
built the Tezpur Town Hall, the first of its kind in Assam.
The Assam Desh Hitaishini Sabha in 1885, at Sibsagar and Gyan Pradayini Sabha in 1857, at Nagaon
with object of spreading advanced knowledge among people were formed under supervision of Anandaram
Barua and Gunabhiram Barua.
The foundation of the Sarbajanik Sabha held at Jorhat in 1884 by Jagannath Barua is a landmark in the
history of political association in Assam. The Sarbajanik Sabha desired abolition of the cultivation of the poppy
by gradual doses and also urged upon educational policy of the Government. The Sabha not only demanded
large employment of the natives of the soil,but also emphasised on the improvement of their service condition
and emoluments. All these Sabhas desired reintroduction of Assamese as the medium of instruction by which the
scope of education would be widened and thus the ''Jonaki Age'' in Assamese literature began.
The impact of the west replaced the blind faith of age-long beliefs,customs and conventions by a spirit of
rationalism. Orthodoxy continued to be the order of the day,but its gradually relaxed. The outlook of the
orthodox sections gradually changed and before the close of the century students from the high caste
Hindus were seen proceeding to the Presidency College at Calcutta for higher courses in English education
though the aim of English education was primarily for the purpose of creating a set of clerks to run Governments
offices.
The establishment of the Cotton College at Guwahati in 1901 contributed to the spread of higher
education. The educational policy of the Government was also viewed with serious concern by the Jorhat
Sarbajanik Sabha.
During the years 1874-1905,Assam has no legislature of its own and the people then had no chance of
participating in legislative activities of any kind.
In March,1990,Lord Curzon paid a visit to Assam. It afforded the European planting community the
golden opportunity to represent their interests for expansion of industrial and commercial undertaking in Assam.
In an address of welcome, J.Alstone, the Superintendent,Assam Frontier Tea Company Limited, Dibrugarh,
appealed to the Viceroy to improve the lines of communication and means of transport in the province and also
to conduct a survey of the mineral resources in the neighbouring hill tracts. As Assam has no legislative council
of its own,a permanent seat for Assam in India Legislative Council was pleaded for.
The demographic changes also took place during the years 1874-1905, in the Assam Valley. The
epidemic appearing in the Brahmaputra and the Surma Valleys caused retardation of agricultural growth in the
province,and the influx of immigrants more than neutralized the decline in the indigenous population. Non-
indigenous elements came to constitute at least one quarter of the population of Assam proper in 1901. The
composition and distribution of population affected the peasant's economy adversely. 90
The period of preparation and growth of political consciousness :(1901-1918): The year of 1903 was
recognized in the Assam history with redmark, as the educated gentry of Assam led by Manik Chandra Baruah,
Ghanashyam Barua, Jagannath Barua, Faizner Ali and others of an All-Assam Political Organization gave birth
to the Assam Association. Raja Probhat Chandra Barua of Gauripur, Assam,was one of the chief promoters who
presided over the inaugural session at Dibrugarh, Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bardoloi presiding over the 1917
session of the Association at Dibrugarh, elaborately described the necessity of the Association and
remarked,''organise, knock at the door and you find the door opened.'' Further,the Association strongly expressed
the feelings of popular resentment against the Rowlatt Acts and the Jalianwalla Bagh massacre in Punjab,in
April,1919.
Presiding over its Goalpara session in December, 1918, T.R. Phookan said,''The Government is bad and
bureaucratic. It should be democratic. The English officers and English traders and also section of Indians do not
advocate popular
90. A. Guha : Planters Raj to Swaraj. P 42-43.

HISTORY 153
Government and Lord Sydenhem and others say that Indians are not fit for self Government. But one cannot
learn swimming without plunging in water. If India is not fit for self Government even after a century and half of
British rule, who is responsible for this?'' The members of Assam Association later distinguished themselves as
leaders of the freedom struggle and introduced an element of extremism into the politics of the Association and
replaced it in 1921,by the provincial Congress Organisation.
The Assam Association focused its active attention on all questions of public importance in the province.
It served as the mouth-piece of the people of Assam in presenting to their''needs and grievances,hopes and
aspirations.'' It launched a strong agitation against the unpopular grazing-tax imposed by the Government of
grazing of cattle in the forest reserves of Assam. The Association also kept a vigilant eye over the opium policy
of the Government. The growth of nationalism in the 19 th century Assam was a two track process;people were
increasing by turning as much to the great nationalism at the all-India level as to the little nationalism at the
Linguistic regional level. Towards the close of the nineteenth century,a partition of Bengal was imminent and
Assam's status as a separate province also came to came to an end on 16th October,1905,and Fuller was
promoted as the first lieutenant Governor of the new-born composite province of Eastern Bengal and Assam.
The anti-partition agitation was meanwhile in full swing in Bengal and the Surma valley. The province
of ''Eastern Bengal and Assam came into being consisting of an area of 275937.5346 square kilometres and a
population of 31 million souls'' as Mr. Fuller mentioned in his speech addressed at Guwahati Municipality on
Nov. 1,1905. He assured the people of Assam that the proposed change will not affect their privileges. The
Assam Association and the Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha organised protest meeting against this undesirable tagging.
Meetings were held at Dhubri, Gauripur, Goalpara, Guwahati and Dibrugarh against the formation of the new
province in the following years. This anti-partition movement strengthened people's belief in Swadeshi and
Swaraj. British goods were boycotted totally and the shops were started in different places of Assam for the sale
of Swadeshi goods.
Evidently the anti-partition agitation turned into a popular movement based on Swadeshi boycott and
national education. The Muhammedan population of both Valleys also joined the movement. Though the tussle
between Bengal and Assam continued on language, employment, and land issue; the people of Assam and
Bengal joined hands on the thresh hold on nationalistic movement in the struggle for freedom from British toke.
At Guwahati in 1905 an attempt was made by Ambika Giri Roy Choudhury and Gobinda Lahiri to organise the
local students
in Swadeshi spirit. A group of Assamese students volunteered to work as labourers in Railway stations and
steamer ghats and to donate their earnings to the common found organised for Swadeshi cause. Even the Pandas
of Kamakhya ceased to use beet-sugar and liver pool salt. Ambika Giri Roy Choudhury, Tringuna Barua and few
others attracted towards the cult of terrorism under the influence of Barin Ghose and Khudiram, but this
movement ended with Ambika Giri Roy Choudhury being interned at Barpeta for a long stretch of 8(eight)years
from 1907 to 1915.
In Nov. 1912 the first Assam Lagislative Council was created with 13 nominated and 12 elected and 12
elected members with the Chief Commissioner as the Chairman. The provincial council had no power to control
the budget of the province though the representatives were allowed to criticise it. The budget,in fact,was an
estimate from which the Government could at any time depart. No nation-building programme could be
undertaken by the Council due to this prevalent rigidity of financial system. Tarun Ram Phukan and Radha
Govinda Das (Sylhet) resigned on the ground of the futility of the Council. Phani Dhar Chaliha, a planter's
representative also resigned in protest against a deregatory remark from the Chairman. Of the leading
members,mention may be made of Kamini Kumar Chanda, Manik Chandra Baruah, Padmanath Gohain Baruah,
Radha Binode Das, Muhammad Saadullah and Raja Prabhat Chandra Baruah. Padmanath Gohain Baruah
criticised the policy of the Government in giving undue representation to the planters in the Local Boards, and
he argued that their interest in Local Boards was not so ''universal''as those of native population.
When the Morley-Minto reforms opened the problem of the minorities in India,It was but natural that
members belonging these communities would plead for their special needs and requirements in the Council.
Deprecating the predominance of the official elements in the Local Boards,Muhammad Saadullah demanded
communal representation of the Muslims in these bodies. As a result,power and responsibilities of legislators
were greatly circumscribed.
An event of considerable importance to be recorded was the formation of the Assam Student Conference
in 1916,the first session of which was held amidst great enthusiasm at Guwahati under the presidentship of the
great Assamese literature and patriot Lakshminath Bezbaruah. 91 The Assam Students Conference helped to create
a cadre of student leaders who played important part in the Non-co-operation and subsequent movements.
Leaders like Chandranath Sarma. Omeo Kumar Das,Hem Chandra Barua, Padmadhar Chaliha came into
prominence first as student leaders.
A demand for full provincial status for Assam was being voiced by Assam Association for very long
time and expected the aspiration to be materialised through proposed constitutional reforms of 1918. A
deputation from Assam.
91. K.N. Dutta : Landmark of the freedom in Assam.

HISTORY 155
Association,headed by N.C. Bordoloi was sent to London to represent Assam's case before the Selbourne
committee of house of Lords. As the result of the meeting,Assam acquired the status of a full fledged Governor's
province under the Government of India Act,1919. Gradually,affected by the Jaliwanwalla massacre,political
pivots of Assam were being drawn by the non-co-operation movement and call for Hindu-Muslim unity made by
Mahatma Gandhi under Congress banner. Assam was prepared to march with the rest of India towards the
common goal of freedom and the struggle for freedom in Assam formed an inseparable part of the India struggle.
Assam was thus slowly drawn into the orbit of the new action-oriented all-India political agitation.
Non-co-operation and Dyarchy on Trial (1918-1947): Assam had played a significant role in the
struggle for freedom though in the earlier stages,her political development was too slow due to want of
intellectual contact with the rest of India as a result of backwardness in English education and lack of
communication. As a response to the call of non-co-operation, Kaliram Barman of Guwahati withdrew
nomination paper after scrutiny and Kumudram Bora, an already elected member to the council resigned.
1919 was an eventful year in the political history of India. Gandhiji launched the Non-co-operation
movement on 1st August 1920, which was the direct outcome of Khilafat movement. In Assam, both the Hindus
and Muslims equally responded to the cause of Khilafatist. In response to the Khilafat movement, Guwahati,
Goalpara, Jorhat, Sibsagar and North Lakhimpur observed hartals and held public meetings respectively.
Although, Nabin Chandra Bordoloi and others did not support Gandhiji at Calcutta(Sept.1920);had apparently
realised the direction in which the wind was blowing. And after returning the Guwahati Bordoloi started a
propaganda campaign, seeking the support of the Assamese intelligentsia to the non-co-operation movement.
The Assam Association held district-level meetings at Nagaon, Sibsagar, Jorhat, Dibrugarh throughout
October,1920 and discussed the non-co-operation issue. While the issue of non-co-operation was being hotly
debated,N.C. Bordoloi, the general secretary of the Association,C.N. Sarma and Tarunram Phukan moved from
one corner of the province to the other to mobilize public opinion. The Guwahati Bar Association at the initiative
of young lawyers,even decided to boycott the Viceroy's visit. Almost all the district level Associations took
decision to boycott Council elections also raised objection to take titles, honour and honorary posts from British
Government.
The boycott agitation of the students had almost automatically led to the demand for setting up national
schools and national colleges in the province. Finally,a national school was established in Feb.1921, in the
premises of the residence of Rohinikumar Choudhury, at Bharalumukh, Guwahati. Such establish-
ment was followed in other parts of the province.
The outbreak of the World War I had disturbed the equilibrium of the commercial world. The Secretary
of food stuff and other necessaries gave rise to economic crimes like theft and burglary in many places of both
the valleys. Phanidhar Chaliha in his speech in the council held on 13 th March 1918, urged upon the Government
to take necessary step. In March1918,the retail price of salt in the Assam Valley was fixed by a notification and
similar measures followed soon in the other valley and the hills districts. The deep rooted economic malady had
hit the labour population of the plains districts. The Chargola exodus,a well-known historical episode in which
the tea labourers of the tea gardens of the Cachar district were brutally treated by European planters,enraged the
nationalist leaders who took up their cause. And finally,an economic struggle at the beginning,the sporadic
strikes later on culminated into a mass political action in the form of a collective escape from the bonded labour
system. It was the product of an interaction between the Gandhian impact on primitive minds and the incipient
class militancy. There were strikes in Dibrugarh, Sibsagar and Darrang. Labour of entire Assam raised general
complaints about low wages,excessive work-load,inadequate facilities of leave,high prices of food and cloth in
the State. Prolonged labour troubles caused some anxiety in the official circles.
As proposed by all-India Congress Committee,the Congress leaders of Assam kept fully alive the tempo
of Civil Disobedience. Based on the Civil-Disobedience movement,the Congress Working Committee urged
upon the people to be prepared to face all sorts of hardships and indignities with calm fortitude and unflinching
devotion to the cause of Swaraj . To meet the Purna Swaraj, large number of people began to enrol themselves
as volunteers,strengthen the National Volunteer Corps. Soon, Phukan and Bordoloi, the top leaders of the Assam
Congress were arrested on 30 th Nov., 1921, followed by arrest of quite a number of leaders. In terms of arrests
and convictions,the sub-division of Tezpur, Golaghat, Guwahati, Sibsagar and Sylhet suffered badly. The
economic depression of the thirtees was so wide spread that the phased Civil Disobedience Movement tended to
grow into an anti-imperialist mass revolt. Not only British rule, but land-lordism and capitalism also came under
fire from the emergent leftist youths.
The peasants refused to pay land-revenue to British agents. A number of police and Government official
resigned from Government services. ''Saptahik Assamiya''a weekly published from Guwahati was prosecuted for
defamation of British officer,for publishing a report on defilement of Sundaridiya Satra at Barpeta by Captain
Calvert,in course of his repressive operation. Jails were filled with non-co-operators. The British Government
exerted its full strength to repress the participants and to suppress the movement by use of arms,and finally
succeeded in qualling the agitation.
HISTORY 157
In 1922,after the Choiri Choura riots in Uttar Pradesh, Mahatma Gandhi called a halt to the movement
and the Congress Working Committee endorsed the decision. Since then,the leaders of Assam began to stress on
the constructive programmes such as temperance work,spinning of yarns and weaving of khaddar, being
prosecuted withdrawal.
In 1922, Omeo Kumar Das attendent the All-India Congress committee meeting and related to it the
story of severe repression which was then going on in Assam. Two-member committee of Dr. Rajendra Prasad
and Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya came to Assam to study the political situation in Assam. The two leaders
visited several places in Assam and were deeply impressed with the progress of the movement in Assam and the
contribution made by the people,in the shape of suffering and sacrifice for the attainment of freedom. Orthodox
non-co-operators of Assam stood firm in their commitment to the implementation of constructive programmes,
as a result of which the Swaraja party in Assam was formed within Congress in 1923.
As the result of the movement,the British Government in Assam agreed to introduce measures for
gradual decline of opium consumption in Assam. This was the most important achievement so far Assam was
concerned. The next achievement of importance was introduction of Local self government Act and passing of
Assam Municipal Act,1923, with provision for more elected members and elected chairman.
Election to the Legislative Council was held in 1923,which was more than one surprise for the Congress
and the country. The Swarajya party contested almost all the seats and their candidates everywhere received
support from the local Congress and Khilafat organisation. Tarun Ram Phukan was elected to the Indian
Legislative Assembly unopposed. Out of the 39 elective seats of the Assam Council only 13 members of the
previous council could retain their seats. The Swarajya party failed to secure absolute majority in the council and
therefore,carried on negotiation with the Independents. With a view to wrecking the constitution and attacking
the Government inside the council,the first meeting of newly elected council decided to form Assam Nationalist
Party in 1924,as happened elsewhere in India. This policy of infiltration proved fruitful as in April,1924,the
Assam Legislative Council succeeded in cutting the salary of ministers from Rs.3,500/- P.M. to Rs.1500/- P.M.
And the opium Prohibition Act was also passed on 3rd March,1925.
But split occurred in the Coalition party in March 1925 last,and the Swarajists realized that they could
no longer command a majority. The Assam Court Fees(Amendment)Bill in the Assam Stamp(Amendment)Bill
of 1925 were passed,despite the opposition of the Swarajists. Finally, they lost the majority
and the All India Congress Committee in 1926 too directed the Swarajists to stage walk-out in all the legislative
bodies.
The forty-first Congress Session was held from 26thto 28 th Dec.1926,under the presidentship of
S.Srinivas Iyenger, at Guwahati. The Swarajist no changers and the responsive co-operators, all came to the
Guwahati Session.92
In December, 1929, in response to the call for Civil Disobedience movement launched by the National
Congress,Assam spontaneously celebrated 'Independence Day' on 26thJan,1930. In Feb,1930, the old leaders
resigned their offices in the Provincial Congress. At this critical hour Bishnuram Medhi came forward to save the
situation,who volunteered to shoulder the responsibility of the Congress presidentship in Assam. In
April,1930,after the historic Dandi March of Mahatma Gandhi,the Assam Congress to joined in the Civil
Disobedience Movement. The national week of ''war against salt tax''was observed and the law breaking
movement spread by way of violating the Forest Laws. 93 The struggle in Assam took the form of a boycott of
foreign cloths, excisable drugs and the shops selling such goods. Picketing was resorted to.
Sri Bishnuram Medhi helped by Tyagbir Hemchandra Barua, Dr. Bhubaneswar Barua, Omeo Kr. Das,
Sidhinath Sarma, Pitambar Goswami, Gormur Satradhikar, Lakhidhar Sharma and others conducted the
movement very successfully. Srimati Chandra Prabha Saikiani and Srimati Durgaprava Barua took up picketing
in front of Cotton College Guwahati. The arrest of the national leaders included a spirit of fearlessness amongst
the general mass. The authority clamped section 144Cr. P.C. in Nagaon, Tezpur and Dhubri to suppress this
popular consciousness. But people from different places participated in the protest demonstration. As a
result,police attacked the crowd with lathis and batons in such places.
The movement got spontaneous support from the rural mass. Stream of innumerable Satyagrhis faced
lathi charge, arrest and other tortures and went to jail. Meanwhile the student unrest begun in protest of
Government circular demanding from the students and guardians an undertaking to abstain from joining politics.
Some public high schools like Kamrup Academy, Barpeta Bidyapith, etc.,were established by the Nationalists.
The movement dragged on till May,1934,and most of the leaders like Nobin Chandra Bordoloi were sent to jail
for the 2nd time.
To cripple movement,the Government also adopted a policy of penal action after arrests. Most of the
active members of the Civil Disobedience movement were convicted. The persons that were convicted in
proportion to arrest made in Assam up to 31 st March,1932,were males 885,females 54 and convicted males 672
and females 42.94
92.A.C. Bhuyan : Political History of Assam, Vol.II,Govt. of Assam.

93. A.C. Bhuyan : Political History of Assam,Vol. II, 1978,p.161-64.
HISTORY 159
Between 1930 and 1938,in spite of occasional difference amongst the leaders,Congress organisation got
very strong. But,as in a bid to open up fallow waste lands in Assam for cultivation,influxes of landless peasants
from East Bengal were being invited to Assam by the then Assam Ministry headed by Sir Md. Saadullah, and
because flow of innumerable jobseekers continued to Assam unabated,a section of Assamese nationalists got
alarmed and Ambika Giri Roy Choudhury, a staunch nationalist to the core,founded''Assam Sangrakshini Sobha''
and without seceding from the Congress, began to voice through this organisation, demands ''for vindication of
right of the Assamese people,the children of the soil as against aggression of outsiders. 95
As most of these people from East Bengal were Muslims there was a general sympathy of a section of
Assam Muslims to them. As a result a section of Assam Muslims barring the Assamese Muslims,the old east
Bengal Muslims and Hindus did not take part in the Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930-32. Assam
Sangrakshini Sabha was later on converted into Assam Jatiya Mahasabha. All those ryot sabhas organised by
Assam Sangrakshini Sabha became the strong holds of Assam during the later movements sponsored by the
National Congress under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhiji.
Rani Gaidinliu played major role in the Civil Disobedience in Assam. Gaidinliu organised a revolt
against the constituted authorities.
The meetings of the Assam Provincial Ryot Sanmilan,Assam Association and Ryot Association were
held in different places of Assam and devoted mainly to non political matters in 1933. The political movement of
the Civil Disobedience Movement was restarted after the declaration of the communal award. Instead of ideal of
purna swaraj heading the list of priorities,the Harijan suddenly gained prominence at this point time. In fact,
after the Poona pact, the upliftment of the Harijan and the removal of untouchability was taken up by the
Congress leaders in Assam with immense fervour.
The persuance of Congress decision to let the reforms introduced by the Government of India
Act,1936,Assam Congress also participated in 1937 election and won 33 seats in a House of 108 and formed the
largest single upon in the Assembly. But non-acceptance of ministry being the Congress policy then , a Coalition
Ministry was formed by the other groups with Sir Saadullah as the Chief Minister. Sir Saadullah being
associated with the legislature and the British administrative machinery for more than 15 long years, he was
naturally the most likely selected one for the position by the Governor of Assam.
But on 13th Sept.1938, this ministry had to face acute discomfort due to its communal policies and total
neglect of the preservation need of the ''the children of the soil''and in order to avoid defeat in no-confidence vote
in the Assembly,
95. K.N. Dutta : Landmark of Freedom Movement in Assam,1959,p.70

Sir Saadullah had to resign. Thereafter, the Congress Coalition Ministry was formed with Gopinath Bordoloi as
its head. This Ministry took up the causes of labour in the Assam Oil Company labour Dispute, and this won
over the industrial labour also to the side of Congress organisation. But in the meantime,in Sept., 1039, the
Second World War broke up and a consequence of the Congress refusal to be a party in the Imperialistic
War,during Oct.-Nov.1039, the ministry in Assam resigned,and on 17.11.39,Md. Syed Saadullah again formed a
Coalition Ministry . This, however, created acute problem as Sir Saadullah was always a very ardent supporter of
the British. In December, 1941, in protest against a Government circular for participation of students in the War
Fund Exhibition held at Guwahati Judge Field, a student's demonstration was held by the students of Cotton
College. Police attacked students with lathi. Such lathi charges took place in other places of the country also.
Rohini Choudhury, a number of the Coalition Ministry of Syed Saadullah resigned from ministry in protest of
police atrocity on students. On 24.12.41 the Saadullah ministry also had to resign The British Government
organised Village Defence party to courterpoise Santi Sena organization of Congress. But, in fact, the Village
Defence parties organised by the Government were swallowed up by the Santi-Senas in rural areas.
In Oct.1940, on refusal of the Viceroy to concede to the National Government as demanded by Congress
a campaign of individual Satyagraha was launched under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi in Assam,
Gopinath Bordoloi, Bishnuram Medhi, Omeo Kumar Das and many others also took part in the satyagraha and
got arrested. In the meantime, the allies of the British advanced towards India,and Sir Stafford Cripps had to
come to India in March,1942 and put forward an offer of Dominion. Congress refused and took up the famous
''Quit India'' resolution on 8th August, 1942. Assam jumped into the movement with a quick stride and on 9 th
August,1942, Md.Tayabullah, Fakaruddin Ali Ahmed, Bishnuram Medhi, Debeswar Sarma, Dr. Harekrishna
Das, Lila Barua with many others were arrested by the British as preventive measure. Gopinath Bordoloi and
Sidhinath Sarma who were away at Bombay in connection with the All India Congress meeting got arrested at
Dhubri immediately on their return. All organisations including Ryot-sabhas which subscribed to the Congress
fund were declared unlawful. But the tremendous pace of the growing movement could not be halted.
The abrupt official action intensified the Quit India Movement. Acting under their local leaders,the
people stood up in a massive protest against the Government's action.
Santi Sena organisations were set up throughout the State under the leadership of local Congress
Socialists.
HISTORY 161
Mahendra Nath Hazarika, Lakshmi Prasad Goswami, Sankar Barua built up an underground resistant movement.
A Mritya Bahini or death squad was formed in the State under the leadership of Mahendra Nath Hazarika. The
party carried out some serious acts of sabotage throughout the State.
In Darrang district, Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, Gohon Chandra Goswami went underground and carried out
sabotage at various places by organizing Mrityu Bahini.
To suppress the movement,the police restored to severe from of violence. Firing was restored to on many
occasions.
Firings caused death to many people including Kanaklata, Taleswari, Numali, and Khahulis who were all
teen aged girls. The judgement in the Dhekiajuli firing case contained severe structures on the police which even
the High Court saw no grounds to relax. Victim of police atrocities in North Lakhimpur and Dibrugarh were
Madhuban Chutia, Bhogeswar Chetia and Pohor Gogoi,
In Sibsagar, the individual Satyagraha movement was started by MoulanaTayebulla, the President of the
Asom Pradesh Congress Committee. Entire Sibsagar district responded to the call of ''Quit India Movement''.
The police made lathi charge on processions in every place. Many were arrested and imprisoned or detained.
Kushal Konwar, who was believed to be innocent,was however,declared to be guilty of sabotage and awarded
capital punishment by the court that tried him. He was hanged in Jorhat Jail in 1943. The Government also
levied collective fines on the people of different district in the Province to undermine the movement.
In Kamrup district at Bahjani in Nalbari sub-division and Bajali in Barpeta sub-division, the village
Panchayats were formed and schemes of Panchayat administration was drawn up. Madan Barman and Rawta
Kachari lost their lives in the police firing in Bajali. People's hatred against repressive bureaucracy mounted up.
Rising high prices and food shortage added fuel to the fire and they put all efforts to paralyse the Government.
The district of Nagaon played the most important role in the ''Quit India Movement''. At Barhampur,a
village situated about 11 Kms east of Nagaon town, there was a huge gathering, upon which Police opened
firing. As a consequence, Phuleswari Konwari, Lakhimi Hazarika, Thagi Sut and others embraced death for the
cause of the country.
Supply to military was stopped for a mouth and hats and bazars were closed down. Huge agglomeration
of troops took place throughout the state. But in Spite of all,sabotaging by the guerilla Santi Senas remained
unabated.
In 1943, the Azad Hind Fauz organised by Subhas Chandra Bose who,
attempted to win freedom of India with the help of the Germans and the Japanese, advanced to India through
Burma and entered Assam. This alarmed the British Government in India,and in May,1944, prompted release of
Mahatma Gandhi who was in sick-bed in jail. In January,1945,Mahatma Gandhi visited Guwahati along with
four other leaders of Assam and performed mass-prayers. This was his last visit to Assam.
The stormy days of the Quit India Movement passed over. The message of the movement failed to
convince the British Government about the necessity of leaving the shores of India soon.
In the meantime,the cry for a separate country for Muslims who are the religious in India,grew very strong and
as a result of the communal policy undertaken by the pro-Muslim league Saadullah ministry in Assam and the
increasing number of mutually apathetic East Bengal Hindu and Muslim immigrants entry into Assam ,rose a
strong communal feeling amongst the people of Assam and the Assam Muslims also felt leaning towards the
Partition of India Movement.
In December,1945, Pandit Nehru made a swift tour to Assam making an impact in the public mind in
favour of the Congress. So the congress won over 50 seats out of 108 in the election,two Independents joined
later making the number 52 and the congress ministry with Gopinath Bordoloi as the Prime Minister was formed
on 10th Feb.,1946.
The Muslim League went for secret organizational activities to constitute ''Banglo-i-Islam'' comprising
Bengal Bengal with its hinterland or Assam as envisaged by the Pakistan National Movement since 1940 for the
Millat of Islam. Then came the Cabinet Mission to India,with a view to settle the Indian Problem. The mission
introduced the grouping system in May,1946,as a result of which the Assam Provincial Congress rose enblock to
resist against Assam's inclusion in the Grouping system which would have made Assam in future a majority
state. Assam Jatiya Mahasabha also did the same and organised mass agitation throughout the state. One secret
document was acquired from Khidirpur Dock(Bengal)by Assam Jatiya Mahasabha which,showed underground
conspiracy of Maulana Bhasani group from eastern Bengal to invade Assam through population migration. So
Syed Saadullah and Gopinath Bordoloi participated in the constituted Assembly on behalf of Assam and became
instrumental in incorporating the sixth schedule I the constitution thereby,to set disintegration of population and
geographical Assam afoot for future. This India was divided into India and Pakistan. Pakistan won freedom on
the midnight of 14th August,1947,and India on the midnight of 15th August,1947.
HISTORY 163
Marked events of national importance have taken place in the province of Assam after independence.
Lying in the north eastern frontier of India,Assam has witnessed in course of ages great migrations and
assimilations of people of different races into her hills and valleys. The Ahoms came from beyond the Patkai.
The Daflas, Miris and Nagas, among others, also settled in the plains. Later immigrants from Bengal and other
parts of India also came and settled in Assam, till the advent of the British.
The present set-up of Assam is not a matter of mere accident. Undivided Assam at the time of
independence, covered a large region comprising the entire Brahmaputra Valley, Khasi and Jaintia Hills,united
North Cachar and Mikir Hills, Mizo and Naga Hill districts along with North East Frontier Border and Manipur,
making the State a great assembly of hill tribes and plain tribes. But in the twentieth century, ethnic
consciousness grew among the different ethnic groups, who started agitation and they raised the demand for their
independent status and their own states and gradually,the Central Government conceded to their demands one
after another. Nagaland with the area covered by the Naga Hills district and the division of the North-East
Frontier Area was created in 1960, and by virtue of the North-Eastern Assam Reorganisation Act, 1971 (Act
no.81 of 1971) enacted by Parliament, a new state known as Meghalaya was formed comprising autonomous
districts of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, the Garo Hills ans the Shillong Municipal and Cantonment area, and a
new union territory if Mizoram comprising the territories of the Mizo district in the state of Assam was
constituted. The new state of Meghalaya and the union territory of Mizoram came into being on 21 st January
1972 and ceased to form part of the existing state of Assam. The hill tracts following the North-Eastern Frontier
Agency (NEFA) of Assam was constituted into a new union territory known as Arunachal Pradesh with the
territories as specified in Section 6 of the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971. 96
Finally, the Act created five states and two union territories in the north-eastern region of the country.
The five states are Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura and Nagaland, and the two union territories are
Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram. The new units were to have their own government except the union territories
and a common High Court for all.
Furthermore,as a result of the 1971 war, East Pakistan seceded from Pakistan and emerged as
Bangladesh,an independent country.
96. Source : Census of India,1971,Series 3,Assam, Part II-A.

Inscription and epigraphs

Innumerable archaeological ruins belonging to the pre-Ahom period are to be found lying scattered
throughout the State. Climate conditions,natural ravages as well as time,however,have taken their tolls,as a result
of which not a single standing monument of this period is to be found. But the very fact that such ruins existed in
great abundance all over this region and that many of the later-day temples were built over the foundations of
earlier temples,speak volumes of the vigorous architectural activities which,however,would not have been
possible without the liberal patron-age of the ruling dynasties of this period. This gives one a fairly good idea
about the religious and cultural activities and attainments during the period in question.
It is,however,the local epigraphic records supplemented by literary sources,which help us in a large
measure in reconstructing the political history and to a lesser extent the religio-cultural history,of the period.
These epigraphs are to be found on rock-faces,copper-plates and their seals,clay sealings,or on the body of stone
and metallic images. The copper-plates were issued in connexion with the donation of land of Brahmanas. A
brief description of these is given below.
1)The Umachal Rock Inscription of Surendravarman:

The rock cut inscription of Surendravarman alias Mahendravarman, the sixth ruler of the Bhauma-
Varman dynasty,is the earliest inscription hitherto found in Assam. In contains four short lines and supplies the
only instance of the prevalence of the cult of Balabhadrasvamin and the construction of a cave temple in this
region.
The inscription is in the eastern variety of the Gupta script and belongs to the 5 th century A.D.
2)The Nagajari-Khanikar Gaon Stone Inscription:

It is a fragmentary inscription containing five lines,and belongs to the fifth century A.D. It records the
donation of land. However,no mention of the name of the donor is to be found in view of its fragmentary nature.
Some scholars are of the opinion that this inscription is earlier than that of Surendravarman, mentioned above. At
any rate this early inscription is a sure index to the spread of Brahmanic culture as far east as the Sarupather
region.
The inscription is in the eastern variety of the Gupta script.
3)The Badganga Rock Inscription of Bhutivarman:

It is in the eastern variety of the Gupta scripture and belongs to the reign of Bhitivarman of the Bhauma-
Varman dynasty;and thus it can be placed somewhere in the first part of the 6thcentury. It refers to Bhutivarman
as the performer of the Asvamedha sacrifice(horse sacrifice).
HISTORY 165
The inscription shows that by the time of Bhutivarman, if not earlier, the Daboka and the peripheral
region,which flourished as a separate kingdom in the 4 th century A.D.,as evidenced by the Allahabad Pillar
inscription of Samudragupta, became a part of the kingdom of the Bhauma-Varman dynasty.
4)The Dubi Copper-plate Inscriptions of Bhaskaravarman and its seal:-

These are the earliest of the copper-plate inscriptions so far discovered in Assam. These plates were
issued as a substitute for an earlier set of damaged inscriptions,in all probability of Bhutiavarman, and belong to
the earlier part of the reign of Bhaskaravarman. The grants as well as the seal attached ti it give the genealogical
list of the Bhauma-Varman dynasty, starting from the legendary Naraka down to Bhaskaravarman, the last
scion,although some of the names differ from those found in the subsequent inscriptions due probably to
metrical necessity,want of space in the seal the tendency to use synonyms for the actual names. While the plates
mention Bhutiavarman as the performer of a horse sacrifice but remain silent about such performances by
Mahendravarman and Sthitavarman, the seal of the plates mention both of them as performers of two horse
sacrifices each but remains silent about Bhutivarman.
The plates also record the first instance of the Vedic coronation ceremony of Kamarupa ruler, i.e. of
Sthitavarman.
5)The Three Nalanda Clay Seals of Bhaskaravarman :

These seals,found between 1917 and 1928,are important in that,while the one found in 1917-18 provides
the genealogy of the Bhauma-Barman dynasty from Ganapativarman downloads,the other two seals give the
complete list, besides describing Mahendravarman and Sthira (Sthita) Varman as performers of two horse
sacrifices each.
6)The Nidhanpur Copper-plate Inscriptions of Bhaskaravarman :

These plates are of a later date than the Dubi copper plates of the same monarch,and were issued from
the royal residence in Karnasuvarna, capital of Gauda which he wrested from king Sasanka. The donated land in
question belonged to the Chandrapuri Visaya, the location of which has been variously suggested as either in
Srihatta or in Pundravardhana in the context of determining the extent of Bhaskarvarman's kingdom. It is now
generally accepted that Chandrapuri Visaya was located in Pundravardhana, probably in the modern Purnea
district.
The plaits are reissues of former grant made by Bhutivarman which was destroyed by fire. They also
give the complete genealogical list of the Bhauma-Varman dynasty,as also such administrative terms as Nayaka
(governor),Nyayakaranika (clerk of the judiciary), Vyavaharin (law officer),Mahasamanta (feudatory
ruler),Bhandagarika (treasurer),Utkhetayitri (revenue collectors),etc.
7.Tezpur Rock Inscription of Harjaravarman :

This inscription of Harjaravarman consists of nine lines and is inscribed on a sheer rock-face, facing the
Brahmaputra river at Dhenukhana parvat on the west of Tezpur town. The inscription is a public notice
pertaining to a toll, and the river boundaries which certain fishermen were allowed to ply their boats. It also
mentions the name of Sri Sucitta, a Mahasamanta Senadhyaksa (a great feudatory lord and chief of the army of
Sri Harjaravarman ).The importance of the inscription,however, lies in the fact that this is the first dated
inscription of Assam, giving the Gupta Era 510 (A.D. 829/830).
8.The Hayungthal Copper Plate Inscription of Harjaravarman :

Belonging to the middle of the 9th century, it gives, inter alia, the genealogical list of the Salastambha
dynasty down to Vanamala, son of Harjaravarman, who issued the grant probably as prince-regent from
Hadappesvara. The inscription is incomplete, as only the middle plate out of the total of three plates could be
recovered and as such the purpose of the charter remains, undetermined. However,it makes reference for the first
time to a ''Mleccha'' dynasty, with Salastambha as its first known king.
The inspiration gives such administrative terms as Maha-Sainyapani (commander-in-chief),Maha-

dvaradhipath (chief gatekeeper),Maha-Pratihara (chief usheer), Maha Amatya (chief counsellor)and
Brahmanadhikara (officer-in-charge of the welfare of the Brahmanas).
9). Tezpur Copper Plate inscription of Vanamalavaramadeva:
Issued in the 9th regnal year from the capital city of Hadappesvara, the inscription,besides giving the
genealogical list of the Salastambha dynasty down to Vanamala, also records the gift of a village named Indoka,
and incidentally gives such place-names as Dasalangha, Chandrapuri, Avari, Naukuva and, interestingly, the
name of the river Trisrota. There were atleast three Trisrotas in ancient Kamrupa, and the Trisrota, mentioned in
the inscription, is sought to be identified with the river Karatoya.
10.The Parbatiya Copper Plate Inscription of Vanamalavaramadeva:

Neither any date nor any regnal year has been mentioned. From the genealogical point of view,it
mentions the names of Naraka,Bhagadatta, Vajradatta, Salambha, Arathi and that of the donor only.
It records the grant of a village Haposagrama in the Svalpamangoka Mandala in the Uttarakula (North
Bank) to a Brahmin. The identity of the village as well as the Mandala remains undetermined.
11.The Dighaligaon Copper Plate Inscription of Vanamalavaramadeva:
It contains no date nor any regnal year, and mentions the names of Naraka
HISTORY 167
Bhagadutta, Vajradatta, Salambha, Harsa and Harjara among the predecessors. The first twenty four lines of the
epigraph are by and large similar to those of the Parbatiya Grant. According to D. Chutiya,'' A comparison of the
three records of the same king indicates that the present one is complete in all respects. While the similarities....
bring the present text nearer to the Tezpur plates, the discrepancies between them indicate that the present record
is earlier in date than both the Tezpur and the Parbatiya plates''.
It records the donation of land in the Purjjika Pradesa in the Dakshinakula (South Bank), the location of
which is yet to be determined. The name Purjjika, however, reminds one of the Puruji Visaya of the Khonamukh
Copper Plate Grant of Dharmapala.
12.The Uttarbarbil Copper Plates of Balavarman III:

The Uttarbarbil plates were issued in the 5 th regnal year of the king. The names of only some of his
predecessors find mention there,such as, Salastambha,Palaka, Vijaya,Vanamala and Jayamala. It records the
donation of land in the Varesapattana Visaya.
13.The Nowgong(Nagaon)Copper Plates of Balavarman III:

The first twenty-five verses of this grant are similar to those of the Uttarbarbil plates. So are the
immediately following prose portions ending in the world''Kusali''. The land in question was granted in the
Dijjina Visaya. The plates were issued in the 8th regnal year.
14.The Ulubari copper Plates of Balavarman III:

These plates were issued in the 13th regnal year of the king in connexion with performance of a
Lakshahoma ceremoy . Here,too,the first few lines ending with the word''Kusali'' are the same as those of the
above two inscriptions. The lans in question was denoted at Dikkura in the Manjai Visaya in the Uttarakula.
15.The Coratbari Copper Plate Inscription of Ratnapala :

Ratnapala, the second ruler in the line of the Pala dynasty of Pragjyotisha,issued this grant in the 12 th
regnal year from Hadappaka (Hadappesvara). Although the first inscribed page is badly damaged,the beginning
of the extant portion shows that the first fifteen verses were the same as those of the Bargaon plates mentioned
below. The land was donated in Havrnga Visaya.
16. The Bargaon Copper Plate Inscriptions of Ratnapala :
These were issued by the king in the twenty-fifth year of his reign in connexion with the grant of land at
placed called Lavukuti in the Trayodasagrama Visaya in Uttarakula,Judging by the high literary standard of the
inscription,it has been assumed that Ratnapala's court witnessed literacy and scholarly activities of high stan-
dard.
17.The Sualkuchi Copper Plate Inscriptions of Ratnapala :
These three plates were issued in the twenty-sixth regnal year of Ratnapala. The contents of the first
plate and the first page of the second plate ending with the word ''Kusali'' are common to those of the Bargaon
grant. The land grant was made at Vamadevapataka Trayodasagrama in the Kalanga Visaya. None of these
places has been identified.
18. The Guwahati Copper Plate inscriptions of Indrapala :
Issued in the eighth regnal year of his reign,the grant mentions that the land in question was granted in
the Kasipataka of Hapyoma Visaya of Uttarakula,the location of which could not yet be determined. The
inscription also mentions a number of administrative terms,such as, Visayakarana, Vyavaharka,etc.,etc..
19. The Guakuchi Copper Plate Inscriptions of Indrapala :
The grant was issued in the twenty-first regnal year of Indrapala's reign at Pandaribhumi of Mandi
Visaya in Uttarakula. The first part of the inscription up to the word ''Kusali'' is exactly similar to that of the
Guwahati Copper Plates mentioned above. Scholars have sought to identify Pandaribhumi with the present day
Panduri Mauza in the Rangiya subdivision. Incidentally,the inscription also contains four figures of Garuda
(Visnu's Vahana) sitting on a snake as well as a lotus, a conch and a cakra, all of them ayudhas (implements) of
Visnu, although the grant in the beginning pays obeisance to Siva. However, this is the only instance of a copper-
plate bearing art-works.
20.The Gachtal Copper Plate Inscriptions of Gopalavarmadeva :
Found at Gachtal near Dabaka, Nagaon district, the inscriptions, containing two plates, give the
genealogy of the Pala dynasty of Assam, of which Gopala was the fourth in succession, the earlier three being
Brahmapala, Ratnapala and Indrapala. According to this grant, Indrapala is stated to have defeated and
annihilated Kalyanachandra, vanquisher of the king of Gauda and son of Sricandra, king of Vanga.
More important, the inscription also mentions that his great grandfather Ratnapala defeated king
Rajyapala (c. A.D.908-940) of Gauda. Thus,his contemporaneity with Rajyapala suggests, according to D.C.
Sichar, that the must have flourished about the first half of the 10 th century. If that is so,the chronology of the
preceding ruling monarchs will need slight revision, and the beginning of the rule of Brahmapala, founder of the
Pala dynasty of Assam, will have to be assigned to the beginning of the 10 th century, and not to the fag-end of
that century, as has hitherto been done.
The inscription also makes mention of the capital city of Hadapyaka of Pragjyotisa which may plausibly
be identified with Hadappesvara, which was formerly the capital of Harjara and Vanamala of the Salastambha
dynasty. This suggests that Gopala retransferred the capital from Durjaya to Hadappesvara.
HISTORY 169
21.The Khobamukh Copper Plate Inscriptions of Dharmala:

The grant was most probably issued in the first regnal year of Dharmapala, and its gives us the
genealogical list of the Brahmapala dynasty down to the donor.
It is for the first time that a ''mangala'' verse in the name of the deity Ardhayuvatisvara (Ardhanarisvara)
finds mention in an inscription of ancient Pragjyotisa.
The land in question was donated at Digalandi in the Puruji Visaya, the locations of which cannot be as
yet determined. The term Puruji is redolent of Purujika of the Dighaligaon inscription of Vanamalavarmadeva, as
mentioned above.
22.The Subhankarapatak a Copper Plate Inscriptions of Dharmapala :
The first part of the inscription ending with the work ''Kusalina'' is exactly similar to that of the
Khonamukh grant. It was issued in the third regnal year of the king;and it gives us such place-names as
Sudhankarapataka and Dijjina Visaya,the later also finding mention in the Nagaon Grant of Balavarman III of
the Salastambha dynasty.
23. The Pushpabhadra Copper Plate Inscriptions of Dharmapala :
This grant was issued much later. It gives the names of three of his predecessors,viz.,Brahmapala,
Gopala and Harsapala,but leaves out those of Ratnapala and Indrapala. Interestingly,the first eight verses of the
inscription were composed by Dharmapala himself, where he calls him ''Kavicakravalacudamani''.
24.The Kamauli Copper Plate Inscription of Vaidyadeva:
This is a grant issued by Vaidyadeva, minister of Kumarapala, the Pala king of Gauda, who was
appointed ruler over the region to the east of the Pala kingdom, in place of Tingyadeve who became rebellious.
By the time the grant was issued, however, Vaidyadeva assumed the imperial title of Maharajadhiraja-
Paramesvara-Paramathattaraka, indicating thereby that he became an independent ruler and that Pragjyotisa
Kamarupa constituted a part of his kingdom, since Pragjyotisa is referred to as a Bhukti and Kamarupa as a
Mandala,and the grant was issued from the victorious camp at Hamsakonchi, which was in all probability
situated in modern Kamrup, as the suffix ''Konchi'' suggests.
25.Tezpur or the Assam Copper Plate Inscriptions of Vallabhadeva:
These plates, dated Saka Era 1107 (A.D.1185), give the names of four rulers,viz, Bhaskara, Rayarideva,
Udayakarna and Vallabhdeva himself of the Candra Vasma. It is,however,possible that Rayarideva started as a
feudatory of Vaidyadeva and ended up as an independent ruler. It is not known whether it started as an
independent dynasty. At any rate, it is generally agreed that Vallabhadeva was an independent ruler. The
inscription also mentions that Rayarideva defeated a king of Vanga who is
supposed to be Vijayasena of the Sena dynasty of Bengal.

The inscription also mentions such place-names as Hapyaca Mandala and villages like Devanikonchi
and Samsrahikonchika among others. Hapyaca is supposed to be comparable to Haposagrama of the Parbatiya
plates of Vanamala,as also of Hapyoma Visya of the Guwahati grant of Indrapala. More important, however, are
the suffixes''Konchi''and ''Konchika'',which point to their existence in the old Kamrup district. Scholars have also
sought to identify Samsrahikonchika with Sangsari about ten Kms. north of Pandu, Kamrup district.
26.The Sankara-Narayana Stone Sculpture Inscription:

Inscribed on a Visnu image,this inscription mentions the name of Maharajadhiraja Sri Jivara,whose
name is not be found in any of the copper-plate inscriptions of the ruling dynasty of Kamrupa. The inscription
belongs to the 8th century A.D. on palaeographical ground. Since the names of two rulers immediately
succeeding Balavarman II could not be found in any of the inscriptions of the Salastambha dynasty, historians
have accommodated him after Balavarman II ti fill up a part of the gaps.
27. The Stone Inscription From Bishnupur,Golaghat:

Inscribed on an image of Yama (Harihara?). It also mention the name of Jivara in connexion with the
consecration of an image of Hara.
28. A Fragmentary Copper Plate Inscription from Nagaon:

This badly damaged inscription of the 8 th century A.D. distinctly mentions the name of Maharajadhiraja
Sri Jivaraja, engraved on the seal,who appears to be no other than Sri Jivara of the Sankara-Narayana inscription
and the Bishrampur Inscription mentioned above. Thus the name of Jivara appears to be an orthographical error.
We thus have altogether two short inscriptions bearing the name of Jivara and one bearing the name of Jivaraja.
29.The Harihara Stone Image Inscription :

This inscription,belonging to the eight century,mentions the name of Maharajadhiaraja Sri
Dighekhavarman, whose name is not to be found elsewhere. Historians have placed him immediately after Jivara
or Jivaraja to fill up the gaps occuring after Balavarman II in the Genealogical list of the Salastambha dynasty.
30. The Narakasur Pahar Bronze Plaque and Copper Bell Inscription :
The inscription of the plaque mentions the name of Kumaradeva and his father Sri Palaka, in connexion
with the donation of the same containing the image either of Nirriti or of Agni,depending upon the correct
identification of the vahana (vehicle)of the deity. Both Kumaradeva and Palaka are scions of the Salastambha
dynasty.
HISTORY 171
31.The Kanaibarashi-bowa Rock Inscription,North Guwahati:

It records the annihilation of the Turuska (Muslim) army in Saka Era 1127. This is considered to refer to
Muhammed -bin-Bakhtiyar who was on his way back from his abortive Tibetan expedition, and who was
confronted and worsted by the army of king Bartu or Prithu, who was probably the successor of Vallabhadeva,
although his name has not been mentioned. According to D.C. Sircar, Bakhtiyar was probably defeated by ''the
combined forces of several rulers of the kingdom into which the country was then divided''.
32.The Narakasur Pahar Bronze Plaque Inscription:
This plaque, containing an image of a deity standing on a tiger whose iconographic details do not lead to
its correct identity, mentions the name of Sri Harjara of the Salastambha dynasty, as the one in whose realm this
family deity (Kula-Devata) was donated. Earlier, D.C. Sircar read it as ''Sri Hastisya (correctly,Hastinath)
Rajyapala (h)'',leaving the second line undeciphered, and suggested that it referred to the Rajyapala of the
illustrious Hastin, whose identity could not be determined. Later, B.N. Mukharjee read it as ''Nabhasya'' (Krata)
devata Vani-har (r)i Pratima''. Subsequently, D. Chutia, with plausible ground, deciphered it as ''Sri har
(j)arasya-rajya-prarthiya kule-daivata-dharma-dasta-pratima''.
33.The Narakasur Pahar Bronze Plaque Inscription:
The Plaque contains a four armed female deity standing on the back of a buffalo, holding discus,
trident, mace and rein and, in altogether five lines, mentions the name of the Vanamala who donated the image
and referred to it as a ''J(y)aksina''or a Yaksini/Yaksi. Vanamala here is referred to as the lord of Hadapyaka
(Hadappesvara), lord of Pragjyotisa and a ''Maharajadhiraja''.
34.The Inscribed Sun Image in the Assam State Museum:
This mentions the name of Harjaradeva of the Salastambha dynasty, during whose reign the image in
question was made.
35.The Stone Inscription of Samudrapala,Ambari,Guwahati:

The inscription was issued in the Saka Era 1154 (A.D.1232)by one king Samudrapala, and it makes
mention of the existence of a Satra (monastic establish-ment) at Yogihati. The identity of Samudrapala has yet to
be identified.
36.Nilacala Plates of king Madhava:

The inscription was issued by one Maharajadhiraja Paramesvara-Paramabhattaraka Sri Madhava in
his twentyfifth regnal year in connexion with the donation of land at Daluagrama in the Pandari Mandala. The
first plate contains an incised image of Ganesha on the upper left-hand side,on the basis of which Neog has
sought to identify him with a ruler belonging to the dynasty of the Ranee principality.
To the south-west of Guwahati, since the tutelary deity of this dynasty was Ganesha. Interestingly Pandari also
finds mention as a locality (Pandari-bhumi) in the Guakuchi plate of Indrapala. As such, some scholars have
identified it with the Panduri Mauza of the Rangia subdivision. Neog, on the other hand seeks to locate it around
the present Baihata Chariali region, about 35 Km north of Guwahati, in the Uttarakula, on the plausible ground
of the existence of the Dimow rivulet and Kamesvara temple there, both of which find mention in the
inscription.
Regarding the date of inscription, Neog believes that on palaeographical ground it belongs to 16th-17 th
century, while D.C. Sircar assign it to the 15 th century. S.C. Bhatacharya, on the other hand, is inclined to assign
it to the first half of the 13th century.
Madhava's identity has remained an engima. Neog attempts to identify him with a ruler of the Rance
Pricipality. However, the assumption of the high-sounding title of Maharajadhiraja Paramesvara-
Paramabhattaraka by a local chieftain makes it unlikely, if we accept the date assigned by him.
37. The Rautkuchi Copper-Plate Grant of Parushottama Das Saka 1251(A.D.1329)
It records the grant of land to a Brahmana at Raukuchi, Nalbari,Parushottama Das was a local Bhuyan
chief,ruling in this region as vassal of the Kamata king,who was in all probability-either Dharmanarayana or
Durlabhanarayana.
Inscription of the Late-Medieval Period.
During the late-medieval period or,to be more precise,from the time of king Naranarayana of Kamatapur,
quite a large number of inscriptions were issued down to the beginning of the 19 th century, the majority of which
were issued under the patronage of the Ahom rulers, About thirty-seven of these were inscribed on stone,and the
rest on copper plates,bells,cannons,images,etc. Most of these inscriptions were related to the donation of
land,either Devottra (i.e., for the maintenance of the day-to-day activities of the temples or monastic
establishment ), or Brahmottara (i.e.,for the maintenance of the persons,especially the priestly class), as well as
different articles to temples or sattras. About eleven of these inscriptions are related to war, and about fourteen
to the construction of temples. As regards the inscriptions on the cannons, they either relate to their capture or to
manufacture.
Of these inscriptions, the credit of issuing the highest number goes to Sivasimbha (40). Next in order
come Rajeswarsimha, Pramattasimha and Laksmisimha.
There are a number of inscriptions,all engraved on stone,which record battles with the Mughals. These
are as follows:
1)The two Stone Inscription of Chamdhara Garh,Sonitpur
-Pratapsimha,Saka 1538(A.D.1616).
HISTORY 173
Inscribed on two faces of stone pillar situated on the northeast of the Bhomoraguri hill,both the
inscriptions record victory over the enemies,presumably the Mughals;and one of them also record the
construction of a defensive earthen rampart (garh)from Chamdhara to Bhomoraguri.
2)Rock Inscription at Bhomaraguri,Sonitpur.
-Pratapsimha,Saka 1538(A.D.1616).
This inscription is also situated on the southern end of the Bhomoraguri hill and records the vanquishing
of the Yavanas(the Mughals)and the subsequent construction of a defensive rampart by cutting the
'Parvata',thereby meaning the Bhomoraguri hill.
It will thus be seen that all the above three inscriptions relate to a single battle or a series of battles
waged in the same year between the Mughals led by Saiyyad Abu Baqr and the Ahoms during the reign of king
Pratapsimha (A.D.1603-1641). This fact is corroborated by different Buranjis (chronicles).
Incidentally, these are also the earliest extant inscriptions of the Ahom rulers.
3.The North Guwahati inscriptions of Bahgarihia Buragohain,
-Chakradvajsimha,Saka 1589 (A.D.1667).
Situated near the Kanai-Barashi-Bowa inscription at the eastern end North Guwahati, there exit two
inscriptions inscribed on a huge boulder, which record the defeat of the Mughals and the killing of their
commanders. Saiyyad Chana and Saiyyad Firoz,in Saka 1589(A.D.1667)and the subsequent construction of
defensive rampart.
The inscription at the base of the boulder is topped by beautiful image of Ganesha.
4)The Stone Inscription of Namjani Barphukan,Guwahati -
Chakradhajsimha,Saka 1589(A.D.1667)
Inscribed on a pillar 3'7'' height,it records the vanquishing of the Yavanas(Mughals)by Namjani
Barphukan in Saka 1589(A.D.1667).
5.Cannon Inscription of Jayadvajsimha,Saka 1580 (A.D.1658)
Found at False Point near Diamond Harbour, Calcutta, it records the seizure of the cannon from the
Yavanas (Mughals)by king Jayadhvajsimha in Saka.....80. Although the date is incomplete,the last two digits,as
also the mention of the name of Jayadhvajsimha (A.D.1648-1663),would place the event in Saka 1580
(A.D.1658).
6)The two Cannons of Chakradhvajsimha :
Both the cannons were captured from the Mughals in Saka 1589 (A.D.1667)and Saka 1590
(A.D.1668)respectively.
7)The two Cannons of Gadadharsimha:

Both the cannon bear the Saka 1604(A.D.1682)and were captured from the Mughals.
A list of the remaining inscriptions of the period are given below:
1)Stone Inscription of Nilacala Kamakhya Temple,
-Naranarayana,Saka 1487(A.D.1565)
It records the reconstruction of the Kamakhya temple by Sukladhvaja alias Cilarai,brother of king
Naranarayan of Kochbehar.
2.Stone Inscription of Ganesvara Puskarini of Sri Sri Herambesvara Dununtra Rai,
-Saka 1499 (A.D.1577)
According to Neog, there is mention of a kingdom called Heremod in the Garu Charita. However,no
mention of Dununtra Rai or of any other king is to be found in the Guru Carita. Dununtra Rai could be an
alternative name of the Kachari king Yasonarayandev who flourished during this period. Buranji also refer to the
Kachari Kingdom sometimes as Heremial and sometimes as Heremod.
3.Stone Inscription of Hayagriva-Madhava Temple,Hajo
-Raghudev Narayana,Saka 1505 (A.D.1583)
It records the construction of the Hayagriva-Madhava temple by Raghudev Narayana, son of
Sukladhvaja or Cilarai,brother of Naranarayana, wherein he calls himself a Bhupati (king),although he became
an independent ruler by Saka 1510 only.
4)Stone Inscription of the Kamateswari Temple of Kamatapur
-Prananarayana,Saka 1507 (A.D.1585)
It records the construction of the Kamatesvari (Bhavani)temple at Kamatapur (Gosanimari)by king
Prananarayana.
5)Stone Inscription of Pandunath Temple,Pandu

-Raghudeva Narayana,
It records the construction of the Pandunath temple at Pandu near Guwahati by Raghudeva Narayana.
6. Copper Plate Land Grant of Bisvesvar Temple(?)Kamrup

-Godadharsimha,Saka 1605 (A.D.1683)
HISTORY 175
The location of the temple is not known. It is,however,not unlikely that temple referred to is the
Bilvesvara temple at Chamata, Nalbari. The name Bisvesvara may be a scribal error since the reading is based on
a copy from the ''Mazhar Book''in the Deputy Commissioner's office at Guwahati. According to Neog, this
inscription gives us ''for the first time method of having Sanskrit verses at the beginning and at the end,with lines
in Assamese of details (vivarana)of the gift intervening''.
7.Stone Inscription of Umananda Temple,Guwahati,

-Gadadharsima,Saka 1616(A.D.1694).
It records the construction of the Umananda temple by Sri Garhgaya Sandikoi Barphukan at the behest
of king Gadadharsimha. Neog remarks,''it is to be noted that it is the present epigraph among the ones so far
discovered that we find the epithet ''Saumaresvara''applied for the first time to an Ahom king.''
8.Copper Plate Land Grant of Umananda,Guwahati,

-Gadadharshima., Saka 1617(A.D.1695).
9.Copper Plate Land Grant of Umananda Guwahati,

-Rudrasimha,Saka 1619 (A.D.1697).
Here too,the king has been called''Saumaresvara''.
10. Copper Plate Land Grant of Siva Temple, Joysagar, Sivasagar.
-Rudrasimha,Saka 1622(A.D.1700).
11. Copper Plate Land Grant of Keshabrai Vishnu Temple, Joysagar, Sivasagar.
12.Copper Plate Land Grant from Lepetkata T.E.Dibrugarh,
Found in a stone case,it records the donation of land and a tank to six Brahmins. Neog thinks that the
land in question was in the present-day Barbarua region near Dibrugarh and the tank is the Barbarua Pukhuri.
13. Copper Plate Land Grant of Kamakhya, Pandunath and Ugratara temple,Guwahati.
-Sivasimha,Saka 1637(A.D.1715).
14. Copper Plate Land Grant of the Barpeta and the Bausi Parganahs,
-Sivasimha,Saka1639(A.D.1717).
15. Copper Plate Land Grant of the Damodar Sattra,Patbausi,Barpeta,

16.Copper Plate Land Grant of Bangsar Parganah,Kamrup.

17.Stone Inscription of Nilachal Kamesvara Siva Temple,Kamakhya,Guwahati,
It records the construction of the temple in question of the behest of king Sivasimha.
18. Stone Inscription of Nilachala Sidhesvara Temple,Kamakhya,Guwahati,kamrup.
19.The Umananda Image Inscription,Umananda,Guwahati,Kamrup,
The image in question is now lost.
20.Stone Inscription of Asvakranta Temple,North-Guwahati,Kamrup.
21.Stone inscription of Candika Temple at Chaygaon.

Badly damaged,it probably records the building of the temple in question by Tarun Duvara Barphukan.
22.Stone Inscription of Asvakranta Kurma-Janardona Phalgutsava Temple,North Guwahati.
It records the construction of the Phalgutsava temple in question.
23.Copper Plate Land Grant of Garaimari Sattra,Chamaria Parganah,Kamrup.
24.Copper Plate Land Grant of Madan Mohan Parganah,Kamrup,
25. Copper Plate Land Grant of Siddhesvara Devalaya,Saulkuchi,Kamrup,
Neog remarks,''This epigraph re-endorses a grant of land made by Gadadharsimha, as referred to in the
Sanskrit,but the date given in the Assamese,1601 Saka/1679 A.D. and the name Budhajana(the old king)is
confusing,unless we take it to mean Gadadhara, who become king in 1603 Saka after Sulikpha Lara-Raja (the
boy king) (1679-81A.D.)''.
HISTORY 177
26.Stone Inscription of Mandakata Garh,North Guwahati,KAmrup,

27.Stone Inscription of Nilacala Kamalesvara Temple,Kamakhya,Guwahati,Kamrup,
It records the construction of the temple in question under the aegis of Sivasimha.
28. Stone Inscription of Rangmahal Moat,North Guwahati,Kamrup,
29.Stone Inscription of Paschim-dvara(western gate)of Guwahati,Kamrup.
30.Stone Inscription of Vijaya-dvara(victory gate)of Guwahati,Kamrup.
31.Copper Plate Inscription of Dergaon Siva Temple,Dergaon,Golaghat.
32.Copper Plate Inscription of Barpeta Sattra,Barpeta.
33.Stone Inscription of Digheswari Temple,North Guwahati,Kamrup.
It records the construction of the temple in question on the order of king Sivasimha.
34.Stone Inscription of the southern Vijaya-dvara of the Durbar Mandir of the Barphukan,Guwahati,Kamrup.
35.Copper Plate Land Grant of Madan Mohan Parganah,Kamrup.
36.Stone Inscription of the Northern Jaya-dvara of the Mantra Bhavana of Barphukan,Guwahati,Kamrup.
37.Inscription of the Bell-Metal Gong of the Bali Sattra,
38.Copper Plate Land Grant of Sundaridiya Sattra,Barpeta,Kamrup.
39.Copper Plate Land Grant of Dharesvar Devalaya,Hatimura Parvat,Kamrup.

40.Copper Plate Land Grant of Chengagram,Khetri Parganah,Kamrup.
41.Copper Plate Land Grant of Makhibaha Gaon,Nambarbhag Parganah,Kamrup.
42.Copper Plate Land Grant of Asvakranta Devalay,North Guwahati,Kamrup.
43.Copper Plate Land Grant of Umananda,Guwahati,Kamrup.
It re-affirms the grant made by Rudrasimha to this temple in Saka 1619.
44.Copper Plate Land Grant to Satsangi Bhaktas in the Bangsar Paraganah,Kamrup.
45.Copper Plate Land Grant of Konwarbhag and Pubpar Parganahs,Kamrup.
46.Copper Plate Land Grant to a Geeta-Pathaka in Namborbhag Parganah,Kamrup.
47.Copper Plate Land Grant of Maregaon,Komarbhag Pub-parganah,Kamrup.
48.Copper Plate Land Grant of Kathabari Govindapur Grama of Khata Parganah,Nalbari.
49.Copper Plate Land Grant of Bisikuchi Village,Bajali Parganah,Barpeta.
50.Copper Plate Land Grant of Bichankuchi village,Bajali Parganah,Barpeta,
51.Copper Inscription of the main Janardana Temple,Guwahati,Kamrup.
-Pramattasimha,Saka 1666(A.D.1744).
It records the construction of one of the two Janardana temples.
52.Stone Inscription of the Nilachala Amratakesvara Temple,Kamrup,Guwahati.
HISTORY 179
It records the construction of the temple in question.
53.Stone Inscription of Sukresvara Devalaya.Guwahati,Kamrup.
54.Stone Inscription of Nilachala Durga Sarovara Kamakhya,Guwahati Kamrup.
55.Stone Inscription of Silaghat Kamakhya temple,Nagaon,
It records the construction of the temple in question by Gadadhar Barphukan. The inscription calls
Pramattasimha Purandara of Saumarapeetha.
56.Stone Inscription of Hatimura Durga Temple,Nagaon,
It records the construction of the temple in question at Silghat.
57. Copper Plate Land Grant of Dakhinpat Sattra,Majuli,Jorhat,
58.Copper Plate Land Grant to Vaidya Visharada Ramacharya Upadhyaya,
59.Stone Inscription of Rudresvar Devalaya,North Guwahati,Kamrup,
It records the construction of the Sri Sri Rudresvara Siva temple at the behest of the king.
60.Stone Inscription of the Phalgutsava Temple of Janardana,Guwahati,Kamrup,
61.Stone Inscription of the Nilachala Phalgutsava Temple,Kamakhya,Guwahati,Kamrup,
62.Stone Inscription of the Phalgutsava Temple of Hayagriva Madhaba Temple,Hajo,Kamrup,
63.Stone Inscription of Nilachala,Kedara Mandir,Kamakhya,Guwahati,Kamrup.

-Rajeswarasimha,Saka 1673(A.D.1751).
64.Stone Inscription of the Enclosure Wall of the Rudresvara Devalaya,North Guwahati,Kamrup.
--Pramattasimha,Saka 1674(A.D.1752).
In this connexion Neog observes,''The date in the inscription,1674 Saka, is particularly to be noted,as
Rajeswarsimha succeeded Pramattasimha, who had the wall made in the previous year. It was under order of
Pramatasimha that the temple of Rudresvara was built in 1671 Saka.....and it is possibly at his behest that the
raising of the wall was started, even though it may have been completed after his death''.
65.Stone Inscription of the Navaratna Temple at Chitrachala,Guwahati,Kamrup.

It records the construction of the Navaratna or popularity known as Navagraha temple on the
Navagraha(Chitrachala)hill.
66.Stone Inscription of the Navagraha Puskarini,Kamrup.
It records the excavation of what is at present popularly known as the Silpukhuri.
67.Copper Plate Land Grant of Sundarikhel Sattra, Pubpar Parganah,Kamrup.
68.Copper Plate Land Grant of Diptesvara Temple,Paschimpar Parganah,Kamrup.
The location of the temple in question is not known. According to Neog,there is mention in the
''Kamarupar Buranji''of a 'Than'named Diptevari to the north of the Dharesvara Siva Temple on the Hatimura
hill,Kamrup.
69.Copper Plate Land Grant of Saktipara Grama of Khata Parganah,Nalbari.
70.Copper Plate Land Grant at Konwarbhag Pubpar Parganah for the provision of lamp,etc.,of the Hayagriva-
Madhava Temple,Hajo,Kamrup.
Regarding the anomaly in the date, Neog observes ''The Assamese portion gives the year of the
endorsement as 1677 Saka, so that the chronogram muni-vidhu-
HISTORY 181
rasendu-saka should also stand for it. But Pramattasimha, whose order are recorded in the inscription,was
succeeded to the throne by Rajeswarasimha in 1673 Saka........ It may also be noted that the gift was made by an
earlier Barphukan, that is,the present officer's father,through a patra (an epistle on paper or bark)which being not
a permanent thing,had now to be replaced with a tamrapatra by the present Tarun Duvara Barphukan''.
71.Copper Plate Land Grant to Chandikuchi Barua,Kamrup,

72.Stone Inscription of the Manikarneswara Devalaya,North Guwahati,Kamrup.
73.Silver ''Japi''(Umbrella)to Dirgheswari Temple,North Guwahati,Kamrup.
74.Stone Inscription on the Brick Enclosure of the Kedara Temple,Hajo,Kamrup.
75.Copper Land Grant of the Matha of Kalakuchi Grama.Orara Talik,Khata Parganah,Nalbari,
76.Copper Plate Grant of Pubpar,etc.,Parganahs,Kamrup.
77.Stone Inscription of the Natamandapa of the Kamakhya Temple,Guwahati,Kamrup.
78.Copper Plate Grant for the daily worship at Sukresvara Temple,Guwahati,Kamrup.
79.Copper Plate Grant of Nambarbhag,Parganah,Kamrup.
80.Stone Inscription of Siddhesvara Temple,Sualkuchi,Kamrup.
81.Stone Inscription of the Vasisthasrama Temple,Guwahati,Kamrup.
ASSAM STATE GAZETEER 182
82.Copper Plate Land Grant of the Jayar Sattra,Barpeta.
It is revalidation of the land previously granted by king Rudrasimha and also by king Sivasimha.
83.Copper Plate Inscription of the Vasudeva Matha,Dakhinpat Sattra,Majuli,Jorhat,
84.Copper Plate Land Grant to Pranapati Brahmana,Bajali Parganah,Kamrup.
It renews an earlier land granted by emperor Shahjehan,and appoints Pranapati Brahmana as Chaudhari
of Bajali Parganah,together with Khata Taluk,and gives additional Brahmottara land,together with servitors,to
the recipient in question.
85.Copper Plate Land Grant to Kaviratna Bhagavate Mahajan,Bajali Parganah,Kamrup.
86.Copper Plate Land Grant to Kaviratna Chakravarti of Patidarang,Barnagar and Bajali Parganah,Kamrup.
87.Stone Inscription of Bilvesvara Temple,Chamata,Nalbari.
-Lakshmisimha,Saka 1694(1772)
It records the renovation of the temple in question.
88.Copper Plate Land Grant of the Matha at Ksudra-Makhibaha,Nambarbhag Parganah,Kamrup.
-Lakshmisimha,Saka 1692(1770).
89.Copper Plate Land Grant of Patbausi Sattra,Barpeta,
90.Copper Plate Land Grant of Sandheli Village Namghar,Panigaon Taluka,Nambarbhag Parganah,Nalbari.
91.Copper Plate Land Grant etc. to Biswanath Gosain Temple,Biswanath,Sonitpur,
HISTORY 183
92.Copper Plate Land Grant to Gaurivallabha temple,Rangpur,Sivasagar.

93.Copper Plate Land Grant to Gangavallabha Pahumaria Goswami,Umananda,Kamrup.
94.Copper Plate Land Grant to Bengena-ati-Sattra.
95.Copper Plate Land Grant to Anwar Faqir at Banbhag,Konwarbhag,etc.,Parganahs,Kamrup.
It records the grant of land to Anwar Faqir, as also his disciples and shares in the income of the four
Maqams(holy places)of Shah Madar in the Bausi parganah,Shah Faqir in the Barnagar Parganah,Panch Pirs
'Maqam in the Kshetri parganah and Bar Maqam of Hajo(Known popularly as powa or quarter-Mecca)'(Neog).
96.Copper Plate Land Grant to Madanachala Temple,Kamrup.

97.Copper Plate Land Grant to Pingalesvara Devalaya,Kamrup.
-Gaurinathsimha,Saka 1703(A.D.1781).
It renews the grant previously made by Sivasimha in Saka 1661.
98.Copper Plate Inscription Recording one Lakh Sacrifices to Goddess Kamakhya,Guwahati,Kamrup.
99.Copper Plate Grant to Hayagriva-Madhava Temple, Hajo,Kamrup.
100.Copper Plate Inscription Granting Boats, Boatsman,and Money to Hayagriva-Madhava
Temple,Hajo,Kamrup.
101.Copper Plate Land grant to Devi-ghar,Marangi,Golaghat.
102.Copper Plate Land Grant to Dakhinpat Gosai of Majuli in the Darrangi kingdom.
103.Copper Plate Land Grant of Paschimpar Parganah,Kamrup.

104.Copper Plate Land Grant to the Medhi of Haridevi Pantha at Bajali,Nambarbhag Baruagar Parganah,etc.
105.Copper Plate Land Grant of Hayagriva-Madhava Temple,Hajo,Kamrup.
106.Copper Plate Land Grant of the Kalikamatha,Jayantiyapur,(now in Bangladesh).
-Queen Kasasati Devi,consort of Badagosain or king Vijaynarayana.
Altogether three plates were issued by queen Kassasati Devi Sakas 1710,1721 and 1725 respectively.
107.Copper Plate Land Grant of the Beltola Principality,Kamrup,
108.Copper Plate Land Grant to Auni-ati Sattra at Kacharimahal,Pubpar and Sarukhetri Parganah,Kamrup.
109.Copper Plate Land Grant pertaining to the worship of Govinda at Guwahati,KAmrup.
110.Copper Plate Land Grant of Pubtharia,
111.Copper Plate Inscription Regarding Appointment of Kataki at Guwahati,Kamrup.
112.Copper Plate Land Grant to Bhuvanesvari Temple,Kamakhya,Guwahati,Kamrup.
-Gaurinathsimha,Saka 17...?
The year of issue is partly missing.
113.The Balisatra Bell-metal Gong Inscription,Nagaon.
It was donated by Mahidhar Buragohain who, according to Neog, was probably no other than
Purnananda Burahohain.
HISTORY 185
114.Rock Inscription of Chatrachal Temple,Guwahati,Kamrup,

-Kamaleswarasimha,Saka 1721(A.D.1799).
It records the construction of the Chatrachala Devi Temple.
115.Rock Inscription of Chatrachala Visnu and Siva temples,Guwahati,Kamrup.
It records the construction of the two temples in question.
116.Copper Plate Inscription on the Settlement of Dipute over Bardowa Sattra,Nagaon.
117.Copper Plate Land Grant of Hayagriva-Madhava Temple,Hajo,Kamrup.
118.Copper Plate Inscription of Kalangpur Brahmachari Sattra,Nagaon.
It is renewal of the grant of land and Paiks (servitors)originally given by Lakshmisimha.
119.Copper Plate Inscription reissued as Brahmottara Charter Lost During the Mayanmara Rebellion.
120.Copper Plate Inscription on Land Settlement in Bausi Parganah,Kamrup.
-Chandrakantasimha,Saka 1738(A.D.1816).
121.Copper Plate Inscription on Provision of servitors to Pahumaria Sarujana Gosain.
122.Copper Plate Land Grant to Auniati Sattra,Majuli,Jorhat.
123.Copper Plate Inscription Pertaining to the Appointment of Outpost-keepers at Batakuchi,Kamrup.
124.Copper Plate Land Grant in the Barbangsar Paraganah,Kamrup.
125.Copper Plate Land Grant in the Pachimpar Parganah,Kamrup.
-Chandrakantasimha,Saka 1743(A.D.1821)
ASSAM STATE GAZETTTEER 186
It revalidates the land grant previously made by Gaurinathsimha in Saka 1711.
126.Copper Plate Land Grant to Hayagriva-Madhava Temple,Hajo.
-Chandrakantasimha,Saka 1743(A.D.1821)
127.Inscription on the Brass-door of Sundaridiya Sattra,Barpeta,Kamrup.
-Bhaktacharan Atoi,Saka 1769(A.D.1847).
128.Document pertaining to the Grant of Dharmottara land to Aibheti Na-Sattra,Khana Taluk,Khana
Parganah,Kamrup.
Chandrakantasimha,Saka 1744(A.D. 1822).
Written in handmade paper or ''pera Kakat''.
Regarding this inscription, Neog remarks,''The utterly corrupt Sanskrit of the epigraph is most evidently
a hopeless imitation of some such epigraphs. The phrase Sri-Duvara-kulabjatarunadityena is quite meaningless.
It is evident,therefore,that the date of the epigraph cannot be 1583 Saka........... It may be 1683 Saka,in which
case 1583 can be bonafide mistake. But Nityananda Gosai of the Chaityanya school of Vaisnavism who, along
with Chintamani Gosai was given the dharmatra land gift by the Ranee chief, Dharmasimha,seems to have been
a man of the late 16thcentury,in which case the whole document will fall under the shadow of doubt. Then
again,the mention of different types of taxes and other liabilities,to which an ordinary subject of the Ahom state
is liable,would show either that the Ranee principality had the same taxation and penal system as the Ahom state
or that the whole document is to be considered doubtful.''
Reference:-
1)Kamarupa Sasanavali -Vidyavinode,P.N.
2) Kamarupa Sasanavali 1981 -Sarma,D.
3)Inscription of Ancient Assam 1978 -Sarma,M.M.
HISTORY 187
4)Prachya Sasanavali 1974 -Neog,M.
5)Kochbiharer Itihasa -Ahmed,Amanullah.
6)Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal,Vol XIX.
7)Asom Sahitya Sabha Patrika,1923,No.8,Vol.3,38th year.
8)Journal of Assam Research Society,Vols XXVI,1981-82; XXIX,1986-89;XXX,No.1;XXXI,No.1-
2,1989-90.
9)Journal of Ancient Indian History,Vols I,pt.1-2,1967-68;II,pt.1-2,1968-69;X,1976-77;XIII,pt.1-2,1980-
82.
10)Journal of the Assam Sanskrit College,Vol.I,1986-87;Vol,II;1987-88.
11)Journal of the University of Guwahati,Arts,Vol.XVI,XVII.
12)Bulletin of the Assam State Museum-No.XI,1989.
13)East Indian Art Styles-Mukherjee,B.N.,1980.
14)Early History of Kamarupa,1988-Barua,K.L.
15)The History of the Civilization of the people of Assam to the 12th century A.D.,1987,-Choudhury,P.C.
16)The Comprehensive History of Assam,Vol,I,1990-Barpujari,H.K.(ed);

Coins;-Numismatic evidence is one of the most reliable source for determining the courses of history of
particular country. It generally helps us in determining the Chronology and reigning period of the dynasty. But it
is difficult to prove that single rulers of the ancient Assam (Pragjyotisa-Kamarupa) had ever minted coins,as yet
no coins of the ancient period have ever come to light. But we cannot say that those kings had not minted a
single coin. But there are good reasons to believe that these kings actually struck coins but for non-availability of
a single coin uptil now makes us doubtful.
It appears from the Articles of Dr. H.H. Wilson that atleast the western part of Assam, at an early period
was predominately Hindu and the same may be inferred from the names of the main stream,the Lohit and the
Brahmaputra,which are Sanskrit terms. At the beginning of the 13 th century a new heard of people which accord-
ing to Manuscripts-the chief of which came down from heaven by golden ladder, in memory of which event the
Rajas of Assam uniformly takes the title-'Swargadeva', Lord of Paradise or Heaven appeared in the main land
from the East and existed till the Burmese invasion of the nineteenth century which ended by signing the treaty
in 1826 at Yandaboo between Britishers and Burmese. It may,therefore,be concluded that Assam was subjected
to new from of Government, a new race of princes and new religion imported from Loas towards the close of
12th century and the beginning of 13th century,which can be identified by some coins as a base materials.
The coins of Assam, so far collected goes back to the 16th century A.D. only but the Silimpur
Inscription, it is stated that the king Jaypala, the last king of the Brahmapala dynasty of Assam who ruled Assam
(Kamarupa) in the later part of the 12th century minted coins,but due to the non-availability of these coins we
cannot prove it so far.
The coins so far discovered and found are as follows:-

Ahom Coins :The ancient coins found as yet,is that of Shu-Klen-Mung (A.D.1539-1552) who issued in
A.D.1543. Shu-Klen-Mung was counterpart of Koch king Nara Narayana (A.D.1515-1540) and he is known as
Gargayaraja. But D. Wilson gives us some of the image of the coins of 13 th century as below.
1 of Subinpha who ruled in the eighties

of the thirteenth century. A.D.1281-93
1 of Sutupha one of the sons of Sutepha. A.D.1364-76
1 of Supatpha who also preferably a son
of Sutepha. -Ditto-
1 of Suhumpha. In the beginning of 16th century
HISTORY 189
Probably Suhumpha of Dr. Wilson is infant Suhungmung (A.D.1497-1539) one of the son of Supimpha
(A.D.1493-97) who were also designated as Raja,i.e.,Pha.
Sutumla A.D.(1648-63) the successors of Sutyinpha (Nariya Raja) (A.D.1644-48) was the first king to
convert into Hinduism,who after assuming a Hindu name Jayadhvaja Singha introduced Sanskrit Script in his
coins. But Ahom scripts were again reintroduced by king Supatpha (Gadadhar Singha) (A.D.1681-96) and his
son Sukhrunpha (Rudra Singha) (A.D.1696-1714) followed his father's examples in the annual issue of his
coins. This procedure continued till A.D.1821 the fall of the Ahom rule. The first coin struck in the name of the
Ahom queen is that of Rani Phuleswari. She used Persian script and its shape was square.
The coins issued by king Suklenmung (A.D.1539-52) was in Ahom script and language. The coins of
earlier kings started the year of succession of the king who issued these coins,but the coins of Suklenmung did
not contain any such statement.
All the Ahom coins were octagonal in size till the introduction of square shaped coins by queen
Phuleswari. But the later king Rajeswar Singha (A.D.1751-69) made experiment with different shapes besides
issue of octagonal coins which was the general form of Ahom coins. Rajeswar Singha (A.D.1751-69)issued
coins generally in Assamese script but he also made experiment with Ahom,Nagari and Persian script.
The rupees and the gold coins of the Ahom kings were struck to the Indian standard of about 170 grains.
It was probably king Rudra Singha (A.D.1696-1714)introduced half of quarter rupees. Rajeswar Singha
(A.D.1751-69 )introduced eight and sixteenth of both the rupee and the Mohar (gold coins)while Gaurinath
Singha (A.D.1780-95)added one more variety; i.e.,thirty-secondth. There was no copper currency-instead Cowri
was issued in its place.
During the reign of Gaurinath Singha (A.D.1780-95),the Moamaria rebellion took place. The rebel
Moamarias after driving away the Ahomm from Rangpur declared independence and ran almost a parallel
Governments with the Ahoms. During that time,in their domain,coins in the name of Bharat Singha and
Sarbananda, two of the insurgent leaders were issued in the A.D.1791 to 1795.
The Burmese also during their last invasion in 1826 are said to have struck very rough varieties of coins.
The Koch Coins:The Koch rupees (coins) are round in form and follows the model of the coins Hussain Shah of
Bengal. The first Koch king to strike coins in his name was king Nara Narayana (A.D.1515-40). His coins are of
silver. King Nara Narayana (A.D.1515-40) was a famous Koch king who extended his reign over the entire
Assam including present Meghalaya and beyond upto Manipur, Tripura and
Sylhet. The only known coins of the Eastern Koch kingdom are very few full rupee coins of king Raghudeva
(A.D.1581-1603),king Prananarayana(A.D.1633-66)and single rupee of king Parikshit Narayana(A.D.1603-13).
The half-rupee Koch coins minted during Mughal domination are known as Narayani rupees in Assam. Some of
the Koch coins will be found in Guwahati and British Museum.
The Kachari Coins: The Kacharis are the earliest known inhabitants of the Brahmaputra Valley. The
Assam coins cabinet possessed coins of Yasonarayana Dev and of Satrudaman alias Pratap Narayana Dev. One
rupee of the former king bears a date of 1505 Saka (A.D.1583) showing that Yaso Narayana ascended the throne
some twenty years before Satrudaman. The existence of a coin of Tamradhvaj whose date was (A.D.1706-
1708)shows that this series of coins continued for at least 120 years. A coin of modern type was issued by the
last Kachari king Gobinda Chandra(A.D.1813-30).
The Jayantia Coins:Very little is known of the history of the earlier rulers of Jayantia, except the
occasional references in the Koch, Kachari and Ahom annals and their conflicts with the Koches, Kacharis and
Ahoms. Coins are known bearing the saka dates 1591,1592,1630,1653,1696,1704,1707 and 1712
(A.D.1669,1670,1707,1731,1774,1782,1785 and 1790) and it can easily be assumed that as in the case of the
earlier Ahom coins those dates represent the dates of accession or perhaps of the installation of the kings who
issued the coins, None of the Jaintiya coins bear the name of the king who issued it probably due to prohibition
of Koch king in this respect. But the quarter rupees dated 1653 and 1712 Saka era bear the name of Borgosain
and Ramasingha respectively. The rupees are locally known as 'Katrataka' (Sword rupees) from the fact that they
bear the device of two handed sword and a musket on them.
Monipuri Coins: A few Manipuri coins so far has been discovered which is locally known as 'Sel' or 'Shell'
coins. There is no evidence of having been at any time a gold coinage in existence,but it is said that square silver
coin existed from at least A.D.1712. A square coin of Churajit Singha dated 1734 Saka found to have weighed
173 grain-the Indian standard weight for a rupee. Square copper coins of large size and a greater weight are also
known to have been use in Manipur. After British occupation indigenous coins ceased to exist from A.D.1891.
The Naga Coins:Whether the Naga kings had ever struck cons in their own names is not known,but we have
evidence that there existed some peculiar arrow shaped 8''long copper coins known as Jabily Particularly used by
the Ao Nagas to purchase valuables till the advent of the British. Some Jabilys have been preserved in Guwahati
Museum.
HISTORY 191
Habitation Sites:
Any spot on the earth that contains something that is the handiwork of human agency suggest human
habitation either at the spot itself or in its vicinity. Innumerable such isolated spots are to be seen strewn across
the length and breadth of the State,especially the Brahmaputra Valley,where in some spots,only a few chiselled
stones lying together,or a small section of a rampart or a depression which once may have been a pond for all we
know,are encountered. The mere enumeration of such spots is not likely to yield a clear and definite pattern of
human settlement. Therefore,for the sake of convenience,by habitation sites are meant only those areas where
there are sufficiently large concentrations of architectural ruins,sculptural remains,ancient tanks, ramparts,
tumuli, networks of ancient roads, etc.,within defined areas which can ipso facto be termed as human
settlements. A number of such areas can be seen throughout the State which can plausibly be said to have once
contained fairly dense and well-organised human populations. A brief description of some of these are given
below:
Pratimanagar: Situated near Burha-Burhi-Nepaligaon, about 15 km from Chapakhowa in the Sadiya

subdivision,Tinsukia, there exists an extensive fortified enclosure with three concentric earthen ramparts,the
innermost one measuring 240 m x 185m. Inside the enclosure,on the western end,there are two mounds contain-
ing bricks, probably of temples. The area is now under cultivation.
Barhapjan ruins,Tinsukia :-Locally known as Rajgarh or Ahomgarh,within the Sukanguri T.E.and contiguous
to the Barhapjan town,the earthen fortification is surrounded by a deep moat. Local tradition ascribes it to one
Naga Raja. Inside the fortified area is a pond.
Rajakhana or Rajgarh area,Dhemaji:-Situated about 7 km. northwest of Dhemaji. Rajakhana or Rajgarh is a

rather lofty fortification measuring 150m x100m in area,and is now reduced into a swampy land by the Dihing
river which changed its course in 1984 and started flowing through it,thereby washing way parts of the northern
and the southern ramparts. Inside,in the centre, is a brick mound which was destroyed by the subsidence caused
by the subsidence caused by the earthquake of 1950. Locally,it is associated with the name of Arimatta.
About half a kilometre north of Rajakhana, there exist the ruins of a brick wall with five layers of bricks
still extant,together with a piece of chiselled stone. Similarly, brick ruins,together with the foundation of a stone
temple,are to be found about half a kilometre south of Rajakhana. The site contains stone structural components
and,judging by their style, they seem to belong to 11th/12 th century. West of Rajakhana also are to be found
architectural ruins as well as mounds containing ruins.
Arimatta Garh, Dhemaji :-Situated at a distance of about 19 km from Dhemaji and one kilometre from
Choukhamgaon, this fortified area,although associated with the name of Arimatta,is a late-medieval
site,measuring 315 metre square and surrounded by a moat,with one entrance. Inside is to be found an earthen
mound,in all probability a tumulus (Moidam),which has been badly pilfered. There also exit a number of patches
of elevated land which were probably foundations of thatched houses. IN all probability,it was a permanent army
camp,meant to check the periodic incursion of the Daflas from the northern hilly tracts. Hence its alternative
name is Dafalagarh.
Biswanath :-Situated at the confluence of the Brahmaputra and the Burhidihing rivers,Biswanath,Sonitpur
district,was reputed to be of great strategic importance during the late medieval period,where the Ahom rulers
had a regular camp.
The area contains a river islet known as Umatumoni, which once constituted a part of the mainland. Here
once existed a brick temple of goddess Uma (now renovated). Hence is its name. The islet also contains a huge
rock bearing as many as three inscriptions,twelve geometric designs of various types like grids and labyrinths,in-
cised temple forms and animal motifs,all engraved on the rock face.
On the mainland,evidences of low ramparts show that this part was once thickly populated. There once
existed altogether five temples of late-medieval period,of which only two have survived more or less intact.
Besides,existing architectural as well as sculptural evidences show that during the medieval period also there
existed more than one temple,some of which may go back to 8th century A.D.
The low-lying area in between Umatumani at the main land contain the remains of medieval stone
temple which remain submerged during the monsoon.
Patapgarh:Patapgarh is situated about twelve kilometres west of Biswanath Chariali. Also known as Pratappur,
it is a fortified rectangular area surrounded by an earthen rampart measuring 4km east-west X 2 km north-
east,and a moat all around. The fort was reputedly built by Pratapsimha alias Ramachandra, a section of
Dharmapala alias Jitari, and father of Arimatta, sometime in the 14 th century. It has its entrance at the centre of
eastern rampart, which is reinforced by two parallel ramparts on its north and three similar ramparts on the
south. It was further surrounded by a number of additional ramparts and moats,their lengths ranging between
0.30 km and 8km. Of which remains of three ramparts still exist. West of it runs the late-medieval
Salagarh,starting from Biswanath and ending at the foot of Dafla hills. Inside this vast fortified area is to be seen
another fortress comprising about four acres of land with its ramparts measuring about 6 metres in height. The
inner four sides of the ramparts bear traces of three offsets or terraces facilitating ascent to the top of the rampart.
Inside this fortress there exists a circular pond. South of this inner fortress, there exists another large rectangular
tank. The area is littered with bricks of the late-medieval period.
HISTORY 193
In this area are to be seen remains of three ancient roads,one of them emanating through the entrance of
the fort, another,starting from the north-east end, which is locally known as Raj-ali,and the third one running
south to Biswanath.
In addition, there are to be seen in this region more than a dozen tanks in between Pratapgarh and
Biswanath, the largest of which is known as the Kunwari pukhuri.
Bihali Forest Reserve : In an area of about 9 (nine) sq. km. inside the deep jungle of Bihali Forest
Reserve, Sonitpur district, remains of altogether 4 (four) stone temples and altogether 7 tanks, one of them lined
with stones, can be seen, which probably belong to the early part of the late-medieval period. These are enclosed
by an earthen rampart. The area also contains ruins of two brick temples. These apart, south of the Forest reserve
down to the Brahmaputra river, more than a dozen tanks, both large and small,exist, which are probably
contemporaneous with the above ruins. At any rate, all these ruins existing together are indicative of a
flourishing settlement there once upon a time. In this area are also to be seen three ancient roads probably
contemporaneous with the above ruins.
Sotea Jamuguri region : Inside the Ghiladhari T.E., adjacent to Sotea there are three large tanks, one of
these lined with stones, which are reputed to have been excavated by some local Bhuyan Chiefs. South of the
Sotea there are two late-medieval medium-sized tanks. Similarly, in the Khanaguri Gaon near Sotea area are two
such tanks. Sotea itself has a tank together with the ruins of a medieval temple. This region also contains two
roads of the late-medieval period measuring in length approximately 6.50 km. And 5 km. Respectively. At places
in this region there exists a few other such roads some of which are still in use.
Similarly, Jamuguri region also contains altogether 16 tanks of the late-medieval period.
Singri region, Sonitpur :- Situated at a distance of 11 km south of Dhekiajuli, there exist inside the Singri T.E.
Extensive ruins of two temples, locally known as Visvakarma Mandira and belonging to c. 10th century. A
kilometre east of this place are to be seen a number of small brick and stone mounds in a row at a place called
Dhirai-Majuli,from which a number of stone architectural components belonging to c.10 th century have been
recovered. A.kilometre west of Visvakarma Mandir are to be seen the ruins of a c.12 th century temple at a village
called Bangaligaon. Three km south of Bangali-gaon, there exits the Singri temple with different phases of
repair. Close by,on top of a hill are the ruins of a medieval stone temple. Lastly,about 3 km east of the Singri
T.E.scattered ruins of a stone temple of c. 11/12 century along the Brahmaputra exist. This region thus bears firm
evidence of human habitation from the 10 th century onwards. It is very probable that this region had a flourishing
population even earlier,constitute as it did a part of the kingdom of the Salastambha dynasty with their capital
at Hadappesvara in the Tezpur region which is situated about 50 km west from Singri as the crow-files.
Tezpur region :-The modern town of Tezpur and its peripheral region,where the ancient capital of Hadappesvara
of the Salastambha dyansty (c.A.D.655 to c.A.D.900) was located, contain a large number of ancient brick and
stone ruins,both of the medieval and the late-medieval periods.
On the south-eastern outskirts of the town,on top of a hillock known as Bamuni Pahar, there once
existed a temple complex of c.11th century,consisting of altogether seven structures including those of a torana
(gateway). On west of this hillock,along the Brahmaputra river,diggings for purposes other than archaeological
have yielded from time to time large numbers of various types of temple components,variously ascribable to the
period ranging from 7th to 11th century. In fact,the entire township is littered with stone architectural components.
It also contains the remnant of a huge dried-up tank known as Harjara-Pukhuri, a name suggestive of
Harjaravarman of the Salastambha dynasty. In the heart of the town are the ruins of the c.9 th century
Mahabhairava temple,lying scattered around the modern temple which has been built on the foundation of the
old one.
On the southern outskirts of the town,not very far from Bamuni hill ruins are to be seen the remains of a
medieval Sakti temple,where the modern Bhairavi temple stands.
In the village of Da-Parbatiya, existing on the western outskirts of the town,there is a large concentration
of architecture and sculptural remains. Noteworthy among these are the door-frame of a temple of the Gupta
period of late 16thcentury. Other remains of this area are,the brick foundation of an old temple over which the
modern Henguleswar temple stands;the stone pillars and lintels used in the Silar Namghar (amodern Vaisnavite
prayer-hall);the brick ruins and the stone pillar of c.7 th century at Baralimara Satra (now shifted to the Cole Park
at Tezpur);the Garh-dol,containing the ruins of two brick structures enclosed by a low rampart with brick
reinforcement;a cluster of seven tanks existing not far from the Garh-dol and traditionally assigned to
Harjaravarman;the structural ruins at Brahmachari Satra,Da-Chuburi;the inscription of Harjavarman engraved
on a sheer rock-face at the Dhenukhana-Parvat on the bank of the Brahmaputra;the brick remains on the
Dhenukhana parvat along the Brahmaputra near Da-parbatiya;the more than 4 m tall mukhalingam known as
Tingyesvara at Ketekibari on the outskirts of Tezpur; the 8 th century temple ruins at Majgaon near Ketekibari,etc.
All these ruins are indicative of human habitation in this region from 6thcentury onwards.
Kalaigaon region :-The Kalaigaon region,west of Tangla,contains a number of ancient ruins and tanks,scattered
all over the region,suggesting human habitation. At Baruah Hawligaon is an old large tank on the bank of which
there once stood a brick
HISTORY 195
temple with stone components belonging to the medieval period, locally known as Bhoga Baruaar Mandir. The
nearby village of Barnagari has an ancient tank,together with the ruins of a stone temple belonging to c.11 th
century. The Muradeor temple,built in the 16thcentury during the reign of Naranarayana,exists at Kabirali,a
village near Barua Hawli. Kabirali also contains stone architectural remains of 11th/12 th century.
Darangipara region :Similarly, at the Darangipara region,about 9km south of Odalguri, extensive signs of
human habitation can be seen, such as, at Nalkhamara with stone temple components, and a brick temple which
has been washed away by the turbulent Chandana river.
About 5km south of Odalguri are to be seen a large tank and the sanctum of a ruined brick temple,as also
some stone ruins on another bank of the same tank. The Jarpukhuri ruins of 12 th century situated about 15 km
north of Tangla,exists in the reserved area of Majgaon T.E. There also exist at a little distance two medium sized
tanks, as also broken bricks spread over a wide area around these ruins,pointing to human settlements from the
medieval period down.
Rajgarh :-Rajgarh is situated a few kilometres north of Harisingha. It is a fortified area extending over about 50
acres of land. It has four entrance with stone pillars about 4 m.high.
Other sites:Not very far from Sipajhar,there exists the Jaypala tank,supposedly excavated by a Bhuyan chief
named Jaypal,and as such belonging to c.14th/15 th century. Around this region are numerous other tanks,such as
the Deoraj pukhuri at Byaspara village, west of which,as per tradition,was the city of local chief named Lokarai.
On its bank there once stood a stone temple which no longer exists. The other tanks of this region are Baldeo
pukhuri,Baghmara pukhuri with the remains of brick steps leading down to the bottom,Barhampur
pukhuri,Pachakia pukhuri, Lakshmi pukhuri, Dighi pukhuri, Gorukamora pukhuri,etc.
Bhurar Garh exists near Charandhara in Kalaigaon Mouza and it is a fortified area of about 130 acres.
Inside the fortified area are to be seen a number of raised grounds suggesting their use for residential purposes,as
also two small tanks. The entrance to the fortification was protected on either side by ramparts. The term Bhura
may originally have stood for Bhuyan,which was in due course distorted into Bhura. This probability can not be
discounted since this region was once ruled by a number of Bhuyan chiefs during the 14th/15 th century. As
such,it might have been constructed sometime in the 15th century, if not earlier.
Guwahati region :Guwahati has been traditionally known as Pragjyotishpur, capital of ancient kingdom of
Pragjyotisha. The greater Guwahati region,including North Guwahati, contains archaeological ruins ranging in
date from the 5th century A.D. Down to the 18th century. The southern part of this area, i.e.,the present day city of
ASSAM STATE GAZETTER 196
Guwahati,was bounded on the north by the Brahmaputra,on the south by the hilly ranges of the Khasi Hills
district,on the east and the west by two ramparts respectively. Within this area are to be found a number of brick
built temples of the late-medieval period,almost all of which were constructed on the foundation of the earlier
stone teples of the medieval period. Notable among these are the temple complex are Kamakhya containing
about a dozen temples of the late medieval period where building activities started from the 6th century,the
Sukra-Janardana temples,the Chatrakara temple,the Basistha temple,the Umananda temple,the Navagraha
temple,the Ugratara temple ,etc. The area also contains a number of tanks excavated in different periods. Quite a
few stray sculptors engraved on rock-faces at different parts of this area,as also architectural ruins of stone as
well as brick,are also encountered. Apart from the two ramparts,constituting the eastern and the western
boundaries,a few other ramparts,built during the medieval period,are to be seen,notable among these being the
one running east-west along the spine of the Narakasur pahar and,south of it,another brick-reinforced rampart
running north-south and ending up at the foot of the Khasi Hill range. The earliest inscription found in this
region,viz,the Umachal Rock inscription,which is located at the foot of the Kamakhya hill,belongs to the 5 th
century A.D. At the foot of the Kamakhya hill, there is also a single-line Persian inscription,as also an 18 th
century inscription in Assamese,known as the Duar-Garila inscription,marking the western gateway to the
headquarters at Guwahati during the Ahom occupation. Occasional diggings done for purpose of construction of
buildings,etc.,as also regular excavations,especially at the central sector of the northern part of the present
city,have yielded stone architectural components, remains of brick structures, potteries,etc.
Similarly,the North Guwahati region has number of 18 th century brick temples,all of which were
constructed on the foundation of medieval stone temples,namely,the Asvakranta temple,the Kurma-Janardana
temple,the Maniikarneswar temple and the Dirgheswari temple. Besides these,the area also contains a number of
earthen ramparts,a stone bridge of the late-medieval period,tanks,three stone inscriptions,the earliest of them
belonging to A.D.1206,and a host of stray stone sculptural pieces belonging to the medieval period.
Hajo region : Hajo in the Kamrup district was once a strategic region and the strong-hold of the Mughals who
were in occupation of the region west of Barnadi after the defeat of Nilambar by Hussain Shah in A.D.1498.
Hajo proper has altogether six temples built a different times,most of them on the stone foundation of medieval
temples. The earliest structural activities,especially of the Hayagriva-Madhava Temple,which is the principal
temple of the locality,goes back to 8 th century. Centering on this temple an extensive habitation area grew up in
course of time. This shrine is equally venerated by the Lamaist Budhists as the alleged place of
Mahaparinirvana of Sakyamuni or the Budha. The area also contains two large tanks. Close by,on a
HISTORY 197
hill-top exists the 16thcentury dargah of Ghiyasuddin Auliya,and the place is venerated by the Muslim
community of Assam as Poa Mecca. In A.D.1657,a mosque was built here,which does not exist now.
Baidyar-garh is situated at Betna at a distance of 25 km. north of Rangiya town, and is a fortified area of
several acres of land. As the area has been badly vandalized by modern habitation,no details of ancient remains
are available. Baidyargarh is traditionally associated with Arimatta. However, going by its name, it is more
probable that it was constructed during the reign of Vaidyadeva sometime in the 12 th century,which was
subsequently used as capital by Arimatta.
Baihata Chariali area :-This area is replete with archaeological ruins,such as,architectural remains,old
ramparts,tanks,etc.
The architectural ruins at Madan Kamdev, situated at a distance of 5km south-east of Baihata Chariali
and 40km north of Guwahati,exist on the top of the hillock of the same name. Remains of altogether with
evidences of brick works existing side by side,all of which belong to a period ranging from the late 11 th to 12th
centuries,are seen here. On the south of it,right in the midst of swampy area is the Jalpeswar hillock which also
contains contemporary stone structural evidences. About half a km.north of Madan-Kamdev,are to be seen stone
structural remains on the Narasimha pahar . About 6 km north of Madan-Kamdev as the crow flies are to be seen
the 12th century stone temple ruins at Pingalesvar together with a tank and scanty remains of a brick-built in
mosque of late-medieval period nearby. Thus,this region bears evidences of altogether 25 stone structures,all of
them temples. About 3km.north of Madan-Kamdev,in village of Januru,is a large ancient tank,and another about
one km.west of it. Besides,on the south of Madan-Kamdev,across the seasonal Madan-Kuri river flowing nearby
and along the spine of the Bhitarsala hill range,is a road-cum-rampart with brick reinforcement running
northeast-southwest and curving down south along the Changsari-Kahara pahar and ending up at Lakhipahar.
Along this north south stretch,this road-cum-rampart is interspersed with number of earthen bastions. It was
from Lakhipahar that this road again probably swerved nothwest, this time simply as road,and passed through
the old stone bridge which was destroyed by the earthquake of 1897,and ended up at Sessa in the neighbourhood
of Hajo or,more probably,continued further to Hajo. That this region had flourishing human population at least
from the medieval period,if not earlier,with the Madan-Kamdev complesx as it nerve-centre,can easily be de-
duced from the extant of the ruins and other remains in this region.
Sualkuchi area:-Sualkuchi is about 25km west of Guwahati where a medieval stone temple belonging to c.12 th
century exists on top of a hillock,which was party renovated during the late-medieval period. A long earthen late-
medieval rampart,starting from one hill and running one kilometre and ending at the foot of another hill exists on
the west Sualkuchi. Subsequently,a good number of late-medieval Vaisnavite
monasteries grew up here. Sualkuchi thus bears evidence of human habitation from at least 12 th century. About
three kilometre north of this place,there exists a natural cave which enshrines a number of Hindu metallic icons.
The antiquity of this cave as a place of veneration is not known.
Suryapahar region:-The Mornoi-Suryapahar region,Goalpara district,is situated about 20 km.east of Goalpara
town comprising an area of roughly 30km. At Suryapahar proper,on the foothills,are to be seen quite a few
sculptures ranging in date from 8 th to 9th century,all depicted on the body of three large rock
formations,Sivalingas cut out on boulders,small rock-cut cubicks with Sivalingas inside,a number of solid
Buddhist stupas,some freestanding and the others,curved out on the body of large boulders,images of jaina
Tirthankaras of 8th/9th century,a tank with brick linings,the ruins of brick temple containing terracottas of 7th/8 th
century,etc. In between Suryapahar and the nearby Mornoi village,there exists a huge tank,now dried up. At the
Mornoi village itself,architectural and sculptural as well as terracotta plaques of the medieval period have been
recovered from time to time. At a little distance on the south of Suryapahar,three exists the ruins of a brick
temple of the medieval period atop a hillock known as Bamun pahar. The existing chiselled and decorated stones
now used as stairways to the top of the hillock suggest the existence of a temple there of an earlier period. About
5 km west of Suryapahar is the Dekdhowa-pahar right on the bank of the Brahmaputra where quite a large
number of Sivalingas cut in the fashion of those existing at Suryapahar,together with a two-line short inscription
of c.9th century,can be seen,as also panels bearing the images of Ganesha,Brahma,Sadasiva,and another
unidentified image. There also exist a brick-built dargah of the late-medieval period as well as two small
mounds littered with old brick-bats,prob-ably of temples,plus another single line stone inscription in old
Assamese script on a boulder on the east of these mounds. Similar Sivalingas in a large number are also to be
seen at Mahadebpahar near Suryapahar and opposite the Sainik School. About 5 km south of Suryapahar,at
Matia,there exist on top of a hillock the ruins of a brick-built temple with decorative terracotta pieces,and a few
chiselled stone blocks,which indicate the existence of stone temples there from the medieval period onwards.
Suryapahar also finds mention in late-medieval chronicles. This area thus bears evidences of human habitation
from atleast the 7th century onwards. This is one place in Assam where three religious
beliefs,viz,Buddhism,Hinduisim and Jainism,coexisted and flourished without apparently any conflict. Now
where else in Assam have remains of the Jaina religion been found so far.
Pancharatna region : The Pancharatna region,situated about 8 km of the Goalpara town,comprises among
others,a number of small bare caves,some with traces of steps in front,belonging to the medieval period,a solid
stupa measuring 1.13 m.,huge yoni-peetha plus a number of temple components. About 5 km east of this
place,on the scrap of a hill,is the bare existence of the foundation of a brick
HISTORY 199
temple with a few blocks of chiselled stones. Right across the river Brahmaputra,at Jogighopa also,there are to
be seen a number of small caves. One of them with steps cut in front,the inside back-wall bearing Buddhist stupa
motif in very low relief in some of them.
These are indicative of the fact that this region was once agog with tantrik-Buddhist religious
activities,perhaps from 8th century onwards.
Panbari region :About 17 km. West of Dhubri,there exists at Panbari an area of approximately nine acres
containing brick structural ruins with stone solings, adjacent to the Ship & Goat Farm of the Vetenary
department. It was in all probability set up in the beginning of the 16th century,as administrative
headquarters,after this region was wrested by Saiyyad Hussain Shah of Bengal from the contemporary ruler of
Kamata in A.D.1498. Across the road and facing the site is a triple-domed mosque which in all probability was
built at the same time as the structures of the headquarter. About three km. West of this,behind the B.S.F.camp is
an Idgah with a brick enclosure and a brick well nearby.
Parikshit Rajar Garh is situated at Rupsi, 20 km east of Dhubri, and is covered by deep jungle. As the
name suggests,it was set up by Parikshit Narayan of the Eastern Koch dynasty in the 17 th century. The area is
enclosed by an earthen rampart with an entrance to it. Inside are to be found scattered ruins of brick structures
and stray decorated terracotta pieces.
Innumerable ruins of brick temple,brick-reinforced earthen ramparts,tanks,megaliths,sculptures bearing
inscription,other stone inscriptions,etc.,have been noticed in the region between the Dhansiri and the Dayyang
river,located mostly in the Golaghat district,bearing eloquent testimony of human habitation right from the early
centuries of the christian era to the late-medieval period.
Sarupathar region:The Nagajari-Khanikar Gaon existing near Sarupathar,has yielded fragmentary
stone inscription of 5th century. From the same place has been recovered a number of pebbles,each bearing a
letter of the Eastern Brahmi script ascribable to the 2nd/3 rd century A.D. Besides these,there also exist a brick
mound at Ahomgaon and a number of ancient tanks at Rajapukhuri, both adjacent to Sarupathat. Deopani a small
village 4km from Sarupathar, originally had a brick temple which no longer exists. The site,however,contains
about 20 stone sculptures belonging to 7th/8th century. Similarly, Sisupani near Deopani contains two ancient
tanks,on the banks of which the ruins of two ancient brick temples exit.
Barpathar region :Duboroni village,existing at the outskirts of Barpathar,has yielded number of sculptures of
c.8th century,together with some Sivalinagas,which are probably contemporaneous with the sculptures. This
village also contains a six-metre high brick reinforced rampart running north east,as also the ruins of a brick
temple and a tank measuring 72 m X 69 m. Alichiga Gaon, about 3 km north of Duboroni.
ASSAM STATE GAZETEER 200
contains scattered old bricks of a brick temple and a stone Surya-image of 8 th century.
Kasomari region: In the Kasomari pathar region,Telisal, about 20 km from Barpathar,contains a large tank
measuring 480 m X 240 m,the ruins of an old temple,as also fragments of old sculptures. Nearby exists another
large tank locally known as Lashminagar. About 4 km away from here,another large tank named Yajnapukhuri
and a stone image of the medieval period are to be seen. Several similar other mounds littered with brick-bats
exist at a number of spots in that area. At Rajabari, about 8 km east of Telisal in the Kasomari Reserve Forest
there are a number of beautifully chiselled flat megalithic orthostats bearing floral and other designs belonging
probably to the early part of the late-medieval period and raised under the patronage of the Kachari kings whose
kingdom embraced this part. There apart,a number of stone sculptures of the medieval period,all badly
weathered,are to be seen lying scattered in this region. Judging by the existing ruins,it can be said that during
that period the area was fairly inhabited.
Numaligarh region :About 13 km east of Bokakhat,the Numaligarh region,which finds frequent

mention in the history of 15th/16thcentury,and which constituted a part of the Kachari kingdom prior to its
occupation by the Ahoms,contains a long brick-reinforced rampart of the medieval period,running along the
National High-way No.37,and partly damaged by it as also by encroachers, besides a number of earthen ramparts
running upto the foothills of Karbi-Anglong Hills. At a distance of 3 km from Numaligarh,there exists on a
hillock the ruins of 12th century temple, known as Deoparvat ruins,as also evidences of brick and stone ruins in
the vicinity. Near it,inside the Numaligarh T.E.,there exists the foundation of a huge temple,as also the quarry-
sites for the stones used for the purpose of building this stone temple,
Charaideo,Sibsagar district,is a place where Sukapha,the first ruling monarch of the Ahom dynasty set
up his capital which continued as such down to the reign of Jyaokhamti. Charaideo was divided into three
areas,viz.,the burial area,the place of worship respectively. The burial area contains innumerable tumuli
(Moidams)where the king and the members of the royal household were buried. The place of worship contains
the Deosal with eight columns and the Langkuri Dol,theirantiquity going back to the pre-Ahom period,as these
were already in existence when Sukapha appropriated them from the Barahis then ruling in the region.
Besides,Charaideo contains a number of tanks,such as Sa-dhowa pukhuri,Tenga pukhuri,Petudhowa
pukhuri,Lengibar pukhuri,Bargohain pukhuri,etc.
Chargua the second capital of the Ahoms was set up by Sudanpha which at present contains two large
Moidams as well as traces of household compounds. Be-sides,there are three more Moidams,all of which have
been levelled to flat terraces. It remained as the capital of the Ahom kingdom down to the reign of Supimpha.
HISTORY 201
10 km east of Sivasagar town exists Bakata where the capital of Suhungmung once existed. Six
Moidams in north-south axis in a paddy field are to be seen here,measuring on an average 30 to 40 m dia x 4 to 7
m high. An embankment along the Dihing river flowing nearby exists here.
Maduri,about 4 km south of Bogidol area on the Jaisagar-Nazira Road,has altogether 10 Moidams. The
biggest one of them,app. 60 m dia x 12 m high,is known as Laithepena's Moidam. The two other Moidams
measure 47 m.dia x 12 m high and 42 m dia x 7 m high respectively.
Garhgaon exists at a distance of 10 km east of Sivasagar town. First established by Suklenmung alias
Garhgayan Raja in A.D. 1540,the capital area is en-closed by three concentric ramparts,viz.,Bajgarh,Bhitargarh
and Pakhigarh. The first two were constructed by Pratapsimha and Suklenmung respectively ,and the Pakhigarh
together with the three principal masonry gateways at Bajgarh by Pratapsimha,the latter three known as
Barduar,Paniduar and Chunparaduar,none of which exist at present. The masonry-built seven storeyed royal
palace was built there during the reign of Rajesvarsimha in A.D.1752,of which the lower three storeys are said to
be underground. The area contained,besides the palace,two more structures,viz,the Golaghar (magazine
house)and a store-house (now in total ruins).and two tanks,besides several residential compounds (Dhaps).
Nearby are the fortified township of Bakata capital of king Suhungmung,as mentioned above,and
Darikanagar,founded by Sudaipha in the latter half of the 17 th century.
Around this extensive area are to be seen a number of defensive ramparts built at different times,and a
number of roads which are still in use today.
Rangpur,situated 5km south of Sivasagar town,was originally founded by king Rudrasimha in A.D.1699.
The greater Rangpur area,for our purposes,comprises Sivasagar town,Jaysagar ,Gaurisagar and other peripheral
regions. Within this extensive area a number of old temples,tanks,ramparts,stone bridges,etc.,are to be seen,all
belonging to the later part of the late-medieval period. Especially noteworthy is the royal palace,known as the
Talatal-ghar,which was started by Rudrasimha and completed by Rajeswarsimha. Although the palace is reputed
to be seven storeyed, only three storeys are at present to be seen overground,consisting of altogether thirty-six
chambers,inclusive of a small chapel. The palace is enclosed by three ramparts,viz.,Bajgarh (outer rampart),3.20
km in circumference and encompassed by a moat,Bhitargarh (inner rampart)1.;30 km in circumference,and the
innermost rampart known as the Tolagarh. Inside the fortified areas are two tanks,a magazine house and the
foundation ruins of other structures.
West of the palace,just across the road,is the two-storeyed pavilion known as Rang-ghar,built by
Prattasimha (A.D.1704)and meant for enjoying sports by
the royalty. In front of it was a smaller pavilion built by Rajeswarsimha which no longer exists.
A little south of the palace are the Ranganath temple,Haragauri temple,Gaurivallabh temple and the
Fakua Dol,the last one reputedly the burial place of Jaymati Kunwari,mother of Rudrasimha. These were built
by Rudrasimha and the subsequent rulers.
About a km from the palace complex is the Jaysagar tank,excavated by Rudrasimha in memory of his
mother. On its banks stand the Visnudol, the Sivadol,and a little to the north-west,the Ghanshyamarghar,all built
during Rudrasimha's reign.
About 3km south of Jaysagar,there exists a tank,known as the Kalugayan pukhuri, with two brick-built
temples,viz,Jayaddatridol,Vishnudol, of the time of Sivasimha.
On the west of Jaysagar,there exist a tank and a temple,known respectively as Rudrasgar or Na-
pukhuridol,all belonging to the reign of Lakshmisimha. North of this,across the road,is the Puranipukhuri or
Athaisagar excavated during the reign of Jayadhvajsimha. About 10 km west of Rudrasagar there exists the tank
known as Gauridagar,together with three temples,belonging to the reign of Sivasimha.
North of Rangpur,at the heart of the Sivasagar town,is the Sivasagar tank,together with its three
temples,viz.,Sivadol, Visnudol and Devidol, belonging to the reign of Sivasimha.
Besides these,there are a number of old tanks around Rangpur,notamle among them being the Bogi-
Rajmao pukhuri,the Mechagharar pukhuri and the Rajmao pukhuri,belonging respectively to the reigns of
Lakshmisimha,Pratapsimha and Sivasimha. Each of these tanks once had a temple on its banks,which no longer
exists. These apart,the entire region has a network of old roads criss-crossing and radiating from which are still
in use.
Dabaka region :Situated about 34km. Southeast of the Nagaon town,Dabaka or ancient Dabaka,once constituted
an independent kingdom which finds mention in the Allahabad pillar inscription of Samudragupta,thus bearing
indubitable testimony to a kingdom flourishing in the 4 th century A.D.,and probably from an earlier
period,although the present surface archaeological take one only as far back as the 6thcentury. Judging by the
existing ruins in an around Dabaka, it can perhaps be safely said that the Dabaka kingdom once comprised the
south-west region of the present Nagaon district including the greater Jogijan,Amtala and Lanka regions,and also
a part of the eastern section of the Karbi-Anglong district,i.e.,Hamren subdivision,to find mention in
Samudragupta's inscription. Be that as it may,the archaeo-
HISTORY 203
logical ruins existing here belonging to period ranging from 6thto the 12 th century A.D.and later. Most of these
ruins are to be found along the Kapili and the Jamuna valleys.
At Dabaka itself,at a distance of one km south of the Dabaka bazar,in a village known as Mikirati,there
exist two rows of small stone temples,all symmetrically placed. which were constructed sometime around 10 th
century A.D. In the same area,further south,is the garbha-griha (sanctum-sanctorum)of a brick temple over-
grown with a pipal tree. Besides,archaeological components and figure sculptures datable to c. 7 th century have
also been found,and further exploration/excavation of the area is likely to yield archaeological evidences of
earlier period.
About 19 km southeast of Dabaka,there exist,at Devasthan, stone temple ruins,symmetrically placed in
the manner of the Dabaka ruins,containing structural ruins of altogether eight stone temples,datable to 8 th
century. About two km. North-west of Dabaka are the Gachtal ruins,containing evidences of three structures,a
stone well built in two phases,and two huge tanks which have now completely dried up. The ruins belong to the
medieval period.
Kampur region:Kampur is located 23 km south of Nagaon town. Close to the township,at a village named
Kawoimari,ruins of more than two stone temples belonging to c. 12th century are to be seen. A good number of
scattered architectural ruins are also to be found within a radius of about 6 km. all belonging to the period
ranging from 10th to 12th century.
Jogijan region:The greater Jogijan region is situated about 6 km northwest of Hojai.Jogijan proper contains the
ruins of a temple complex,locally known as Rajbari .Evidences show altogether six stone structures,built during
the late 11th/12th century. The entire area was enclosed by a brick rampart,traces of which are still to be seen.
About 1/2 km west of this spot are to be found ruins of three fairly large temples,locally known as
Sankhadevi,which are contemporaneous with the Rajbari ruins. About a kilometre southwest from Jogijan across
the Jogi river ,at a place called Na-Nath,there are altogether 8 brick temples arranged in a manner similar to
those of Mikirati and Vasudev Than,and belonging to the mid 7th/early 8th century.
Amtala: About 9km. South of Hojai,a large tank and some smaller ones,all silted up,together with elevated areas
bearing potsherds,broken bricks,ruins of stone temples and scattered architectural pieces,spread over an area of
about 6 acres,are to be seen in a village called Amtala. The ruins belong to the medieval period ranging in date
from 10th to 12th century.
On either side of the road leading from Hojai to Lanka,there exist a good number of large
tanks,excavated sometime in the beginning of the late-medieval period. Although no other archaeological
remains have hitherto been found in this region,the very existence of these tanks,as also the recovery of a large
quantity of
cowries from this region,are indicative of flourishing human habitation during that period.
Jangal Balahu garh :The Jongal Balahu Garh is located about 5 km west of Raha,Nagaon. It is fortified area of
about 800 m X 200 m,with three concentric earthen ramparts interspersed with ditches,of which only the
southern side exists at present. This is traditionally assigned to one Jongal Balahu,the alleged son of Arimatta
who ruled in the later part of 14th century.
Hamren Sub-division,Karbi Anglong: The Parakhowa -Urdhavaganga area in the Hamren subdivision of Karbi
Anglong district contains a network of earthen ramparts. In this region,there are to be seen several tanks as also
brick and stone ruins,some of which exist on the shallow bed of the Urdhavaganga rivulet.
Several km. Around Dokmoka,Hamren,a number of temple ruins of brick and stone are to be found at
places,such as Burhagosain Than,Charlock-pathar, Mahamaya-pahar, Badganga,etc.,ranging in the date from 6 th
to the late medieval period. A rock cave at Mahamaya Pahar is assignable to the 6th century and other ruins of
this hill are assignable to the 12th century and later. The rock inscription existing at Badganga belongs to
Bhutivarman of the Varman dynasty,and is assignable to the mid 6 th century.
The Tilapara-Bagadol area at Langhin, Hamren, contains a medieval rock-out Durga image,a similar
Ganesha image and brick ruins. Similarly,the Phulani region,approximately 8 sq. km. In area,contains a number
of tanks,both large and small ruins of stone temples, brick ruins and earthen fortifications covering a fairly large
area. The evidence of an old road connecting Dokmoka and Bakalia is also to be seen here. The Langlokso
region,a fertile valley of about 12 sq. km. In the upper reaches of Karbi-Anglong has the ruins of stone temple at
Sikrai-Rongpi Gaon. The region must have been well-populated in the olden days,judging by the fertility of the
valley,although no other archaeological ruins have hitherto been found to reinforce this view. Donkamokham and
its surrounding areas contain a fairly good number of megalithic uprights in clusters,most of which are of early
date,judging by their state of existence.
It is to be borne in mind that although the southern parts of the Nagaon district and the Hamren
subdivision have been divided into a number of habitational areas for the convenience of description,no such
watertight compartmentalization is possible in practice,since these areas are contiguous and so are the
archaeological remains existing there,with only minor gaps here and there due to ravages caused by the
frequently changing course of the rivers,especially the Kapili, as also due to the existence of hills and cultivated
lands. Large-scale modern habitations are also responsible for the loss of many archaeological sites and ruins.
Even then,many stray ruins and silted up tanks are to be seen here and there gaps,some of them on lofty hill-tops
suggesting habitation below in ancient days.
HISTORY 205
Maibang in the North Cachar district was the second capital of the Kachari kingdom which was set up
in the east bank of the Mahur river sometime around A.D.1676 after the sacking of their first capital at Dimapur
by The Ahoms. It is a fortified area measuring approximately 900 m X 400 m,with a part of it washed away by
the Mahur river. The area was divided into a number of sectors by brickwalls of approximately one-metre
thickness criss-crossing it which probably contained different establishments,such as the palace complex,the
royal court,the area for the courtiers,etc. At the northeast end there is an area containing a number of low
receding terraces like that of a stadium. The township contains two small tanks,one of them brick-lined,as also a
brick well. There was also a temple built of brick and stone,as evidenced by chiselled by stone blocks engraved
with geometrical patterns and bearing dowel marks,as also a number of decorated terracotta plaques. There are
also the remains of a number of sentry towers built of bricks and boulders along the riverside. The capital was
entered from the east where there was a gateway through which a path ran east-west. At the western end was the
main entrance known as the Simhadvara,constructed by king Meghanarayana in A.D.1576,as evidenced by two
inscriptions bearing more or less the same legend,and a tall brick mound. Standing across the river is the
monolithic Chandi Mandir carved in A.D.1761.
Contemporary chronicles (Buranjis) also mention the existence of a number of fortified areas, some of
them brick-built, which the conquering Ahoms captured during their conflicts with the Kacharis. No
archaeological evidence of such fortresses, however, have hitherto been found.
Khaspur is situated at a distance of about 12 km. North of Silchar town, Cachar. Formerly also known as
Brahmaputra, it was the last capital of the Kacharis and was set up during the eighties of the 18 th century when
their former capital at Maibang was sacked by the Ahoms, as a result of which they had to abandon it. The
capital area contains altogether six brick structures,which are 1) Snana Mandir, with a lotuspetalled dome
overhead and four opening on four sides,2) Bengal hut-type structure with a gabled roof, known as Ranachandi
Mandir, 3) a double storeyed structure known as Baraduari,4)another Bengal hut-type structure known as Siva
Mandir,5)the Simhadvara with a Bengal hut-type roof and 6)yet another structure with roof similar to no.2
above, known as Lakshmi Mandir. Siva Mandir and Baraduari are enclosed within a brick wall.

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Chapter II

PRE-HISTORY AND ANCIENT PERIOD

8. E.A. Gait : A History of Assam,Reprint,1967.p 21.

History of Ancient Assam :

13. K.I.. Barua : Early History of Kamrupa.1996,p.7.

18. K.L. Barua :pp.1-2.

23. Op.cit. p.19.

26. K.L. Barua : Op.cit. p.,19

The Varmana Dynasty :

Mahendravarman's grandson Bhutiavarman was a powerful king. He conquered Pundravardhana (North

The Salastambha Dynasty :

34. cf. P.C. Choudhury,Op.cit.p.178

The Pala Dynasty

42. Nagaon Grant,vv.16,19,24 f; Pravatiya plates vv.15,19,24f.

45. Guwahati Inscription V.16

48. Op. Cit. p.255

The Khan or Khen Dynasty :

56. E.A. Gait : Op. Cit., p.18.

The Muslim Invasions :

60. pp. 2-3.

73. Sir E. Gait : A history of Assam, Reprint 1967,p 300

74. E.A. Gait : A History of Assam, p.38

75. Ibid, pp. 40-41.

77. Sir E. Gait : A history of Assam,1967, p.121

78. K.L. Barua : Early History of Kamarupa, pp.190

80. H.N. Dutta Baruah : Prachin kamrupar Kayastha Samajar Itibrittya.

81. M. Neog : sankardeva and His Times, p.60

82. S.K. Bhuyan : Anglo – Assamese Relations, Gauhati,1949 p.260

83. N.N. Archaryya : The History of Medieval Assam, Gauhati, p. 195.

Assam in the Ahom Age (1228-1826):

The Advent of the Ahoms :

The Early Ahom State :

Expansion of the Ahom Kingdom :

The Period of Ahom-Mughal Conflict

Chakradhwaj Singha (1663-70)himself to be a person of indomitable courage and firm determination

Later Ahom Kings :

Decline and fall of the Ahom Kingdom :

The Ahom system of Administration :

(e) The Modern Period : Annexation of Assam :

87. S. K. Bhuyan : Anglo- Assamese Relation, p.47.

revenue,which reduced many of them to abject poverty.

to the suffering of the people.

The Freedom Movement :

Anti British movement-Later phase,

parts soon after.

campaign on a vigorous scale was launched by the

89. Political History of Assam,Vol,1, p. 100-102

90. A. Guha : Planters Raj to Swaraj. P 42-43.

91. K.N. Dutta : Landmark of the freedom in Assam.

ment was followed in other parts of the province.

92.A.C. Bhuyan : Political History of Assam, Vol.II,Govt. of Assam.

95. K.N. Dutta : Landmark of Freedom Movement in Assam,1959,p.70

96. Source : Census of India,1971,Series 3,Assam, Part II-A.

Inscription and epigraphs

1)The Umachal Rock Inscription of Surendravarman:

2)The Nagajari-Khanikar Gaon Stone Inscription:

3)The Badganga Rock Inscription of Bhutivarman:

4)The Dubi Copper-plate Inscriptions of Bhaskaravarman and its seal:-

5)The Three Nalanda Clay Seals of Bhaskaravarman :

6)The Nidhanpur Copper-plate Inscriptions of Bhaskaravarman :

7.Tezpur Rock Inscription of Harjaravarman :

8.The Hayungthal Copper Plate Inscription of Harjaravarman :

The inspiration gives such administrative terms as Maha-Sainyapani (commander-in-chief),Maha-