PRAGJYOTISHA Vol. IV

Pragjyotish 1200 to 1500 AD

1. PRAGJYOTISHA to Cooch Behar : Review the history © TKG Vol. IV

2. Tusar K. Ghosal M.Sc., Ph.D . & Tunir Ghosal BA,B Ed, M.A . Email : [email protected] Published : 31 st October 2021

3. Introduction Pragjyotisha was a Kingdom o f Mohirango ( Danava -Dynasty) and Narakasura ( Bhaumasura -Dynasty). After the death of danava , asura , kirata , Bhagadatta became King of Pragjyotisha . After Bhagadatta , Vajradatta became ruler. Pragjyotiṣa was an invincible fortress of the Danavas , asuras and kiratas . After them Kachari , Sadiya , Pala, Ahom, Chutiya , Khatriya , Sudra, Mohamedan , Salastambha ( Boro , Koch, Mech ), Kheng-Bhutia , Khen , Koch were ruled there.

4. KAMARUPA to KAMATA during 1200 to 1500 A.D. Vol. IV ( Pages 145 –176 ) PRAGJYOTISHA to Cooch Behar : Review the history

5. FORMATION of Kamata Kingdom : Kamata kingdom formation started towards the end of Varman dynasty when Mlechha rulars were becoming dominant in Pragjyotisha  in the mid-seventh century. That kingdom was situated in the western area of Kamarupa . Sangaldip ( after 750 AD ) : First Kamata Rular . Gour Pala   kings ( 1100-1140 AD ) : They conquered Kamarupa-Kamata . Kheng-Bhotia Rulars ( 1140-1185 AD ) : Two kingdoms namely Kamata and Chutiya emerged in Kamarupa-Kamata under the Khen (or Kheng rulars ). Gour Pala Kings ( 1185-1187 AD ): The Kamarupa-Kamata kingdom itself is destroyed by Gour kings of Bengal. Prithu ( 1187-1228 AD ) : Prithu was the first recognized Khen (or Kheng ) ruler of Kamata kingdom . (Pages 145 – ) PRAGJYOTISHA to Cooch Behar : Review the history

6. RULARS of Kamata 1187-1228 A.D. Prithu Raja ( Jalpeswara ) : 1187 -1228 AD Capital : Bhittargrah (present Bangladesh) Dynasty : Khen Viswasundar Deb alies Prithu   ( Jalpeswara ) was a king of Kamta kingdom in West Kamarupa from 1187-1228 AD. The Khen was the first one which started ruling Kamrupa and ended in 1498 AD. Koch , Kachari , Chutia and Ahom were the other prominent Dynasties thereafter. Khen were possibly related to Kheng community of Bhutan. Their worshiped Kamateswari Devi ( Chandi or Bhabani ) which drew a lineage with Narakasura . Their forts have been found in Chilapata forest, Bhittargrah , Rangpur and Gossanimari . References : Tabakat-i-Nasiri (1260); Kantilla Barua (1932 ),“ Stemming the tide of Muslim conquest in India”,  Journal of Assam Research Society. Zyma Islam (1 st November 2019) published in daily Star News Paper of Bangladesh.

7. Rulars of KAMATA Kingdom 1228–1300 AD Capital : Kamtapur Dynasty : KHEN or Kheng Khen rulers were of Kheng -Bhutanese   tribes of North-eastern Himalayan mountains. Their worship was   Kamatashwari  (also called  Chandi  or  Bhavani ). Thus Khen dynasties had a lineage with Narakasura . Area : Barendra , Pundra-Kamta-Kamrup (present North Bengal), some parts of Meghalaya ( Kamrup ), Western Assam, northern district of Bihar, Jhapa-Biratnagar region of eastern Nepal, Rajshahi division of Bangladesh, lower parts of Bhutan . RULARS : Sandhya Rai (1228-1260) Sindhu Rai (1260-1285) Rup Narayan (1285-1300) Reference : Gosani Mangala  (1823 ) ; Baruah , S L (1986), A Comprehensive History of Assam. Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd ., New Delhi

8. KAMTA Kingdom 1300 – 1350 A.D. Capital : Kamtapur Dynasty : Khen Area : Kamrup , Goalpara , Jalpaiguri , Koch Bihar, Rangpur and Mymensingh of Bangladesh . Singhadhyaja (1300-1305 A.D.) had founded a new ruling order in the land by killing the Kameswar of the line of Sandhya. Some historian believed that Singhadhyaja was KAYASTHA origin. Pratapdhvaj (1305-1325 AD ) was a Minister of King Singhadhvaj and he became king after the death of Singhadhyaj . After him Dharma Narayan (1325-1330) and then Durlav Narayan (1330-1350 AD) was rular of Kamtapur Kingdom. Durlav Narayan was contemporary of Chandibar (forefather of Sankardeva ).

9. KAMATA Kingdom 1350-1365 AD Capital : Kamtapur Dynasty : Khen KAMESWAR Durlav Narayan (1330-50) was not a ruler of unified Kamarupa-Kamata but he occupied Kamtapur . He had to fight against another chiefs of the region named Dharma Narayan (or GAUDESWAR ).After confliction a peace treaty was concluded between them. After the death of Durlav Narayan Indra Narayan became the king of Kamatapur (1350-65) who faced two-fold pressure from outside i.e . from the Upper Assam (Ahom) and Bengal ( Gour ). Death of Indra Narayan marked the end of the Kayastha rule in Kamata founded by Pratapdhvaj . Rular : Pratapdhvaj (1305–1325) Rular : Dharma Narayan (1325–1330 ) Rular : Durlabh Narayan (1330–1350) Rular : Indra Narayan (1350–1365 )

10. KAMATA Kingdom 1365-1440 A.D. Capital : Kamtapur Dynasty : Khen The invasion of Assam by Sikandar Shah  ( 1357 AD) weakened Indra Narayan of Kamata . Though Sikandar Shah had to retreat from Kamarupa because of an attack on Bengal by Firuz Shah Tughlaq . Indra Narayana was sufficiently damaged that a Bhuyan from Darrang and Arimatta (1365-1385) was able to captured Kamata . A new ruling dynasty was founded by Arimatta in 1365 A.D in Kamarupa-Kamata . Area : The territorial extension of their kingdom was limited to Western Kamata comprising present Alipurduar , Siliguri , Jalpaiguri , Cooch Behar and northern part of Rangpur districts. The “ Kamrupar Buranji ” has described the vast territorial size of Arimatta's kingdom extended from the Karatoya to Sadiya with a fort at Baidyagarh . Rulars of Kamata : Animatta (1365 – 1385) Gajanka ( 1385–1400) Sukranka (1400–1415) Mriganka (1415–1440)

11. KAMTAPUR Kingdom 1440-1498 A.D. Capital : Kamtapur ( Gosanimari,Cooch Behar) Dynasty : KHEN The legendary information are not satisfactory for the invention of the origin of the Khenas and Kamata Kingdom. Although it indicate that Kamata (West Kamarupa ) was going through an anarchy and Niladhvaja who is generally accepted as the founder of the Khena rule in Kamata . Historian S.N . Bhattacharyya wrote that the race of Khenas is not known but they were rapidly hinduized and assumed Hindu names and worshiped Hindu gods and goddesses. 1 st Rular : Niladhaz ( 1440 - 1460 AD) 2 nd Rular : Chacradhaz ( 1460 -1480 AD) 3 rd Rular : Nilambar ( 1480-1498 AD) Reference : K.L. Barua

12. KAMTAPUR Kingdom 1498-1509 A.D. Dynasty : Mohamedan Emergence of the consolidated Kamata state was a challenge for the Sultans of Bengal. Thus conflict between Sultan Alauddin Hussain Shah (1493-1519 A.D.) and Nilambar was inevitable . Hussain Shah invaded Kamarupa-Kamata after Orissa conquest. He ended the Khen Dynasty by displacing Khen King Nilambar in 1498 and probably destroyed its capital at Kamatapur (presently at Gosanimari , Cooch Behar). After him his son Danial Shah ruled Kamarupa-kamata upto 1509 AD. Reference . : “ Riyazu -s- Salatin

13. Bhuiyan rule

14. BORO- Bhuyan Cities of Bhuyan chiefdom during 1400 A.D. Among the three cities of that period: Boro Nagar (Big City), Khas Nagar and Panam Nagar , the last one was the most attractive and covers roughly 20 square kilometres . Panam City (also called Panam Nagar) is situated at Sonargaon , Narayanganj in Bangladesh . It is one of the earliest cities in Bangladesh that is still standing. Panam Nagar of Kamarupa-Kamata

15. BHUIYAN Rule in Kamarupa-Kamata 1400 - 1497 A.D. Bhuyans became powerful in the late 1400 AD. Saru Bhuiyan : Minor in power and position was not strong enough to check the tribal raids. Baro Bhuiyan : They were capable to fighting against the tribal chiefs and could check the tribal expeditions. They were strong and capable to fight against the outsiders. Chandibar (forefather of Sankardeva ) was strong Bhuiyan to repulse the Bhutia raids in Kamarupa and to protect his rice field without the help of the king . Reference : Gurucharita of Ramcharan Thakur.

16. BARO- bhuiyan Chieftains 1400-1500 A.D. The Baro-Bhuyans were warrior chiefs and landlords ( zamindars ) of medieval Assam and Bengal. In the presence of a king , they were in control of a group of villages, called chakala . Baro denotes the number 12 but there were more than 12 chiefs. The word ‘ baro ’ meant many. In the western Kamarupa they formed a buffer region between Kamarupa and Kamata Kingdom. They were bordered to the eastern Kamarupa by the Kachari and Chutiya kingdoms and another group were active in the Kamata and Bengal.

17. Hajo of west Kamarup was a powerful bhuyan AMONG Baro-bhuyan . He united Koch and Mech tribes. After him Haria Mech had initiated the process of their chiefdom formation in that area. In the Brahmaputra- Sankosh - Teesta valley, more than 70 tribes namely Chutiya , Kacharis , Bodo, Koch, Mech , Jayantia , Bhutias , Gorkha , Rai, Lepcha , Kheng , Ahom etc were already germinated the seeds of their state formation from tribalism and trying to acquire more territory to form Bhuyan rule BHUIYAN Rule in Kamarupa-Kamata 1400 - 1497 A.D.

18. KOCH HAJO , Kamrup,Assam

19. KOCH-MECH Bhuyan in Kamata before 1498 A.D. Centre of Power : Muralabas Raja HAJO was a powerful Koch Bhuyan of Muralabas . According to Buchanan Hamilton,the Koches were united under the chiefship of Hajo (a place situated in the western Duars,30 miles north from Guwahati). His two daughters were married another powerful Mech Bhuyan of Chikna namely Haria Mondal Mech . At that time Hossain Shah of “MUSLIM dynastry ” ruled in the Kamarupa-Kamata during 1497 to 1498 A.D. Raja Haria Mondal Mech of Chikna captured Kamarupa-Kamata with the help of his Koch father-in-law Raja Hajo .

20. POLITICAL formation of Mlechhya Dynasty before 1498 A.D. Centre of power : Chikna Political formation of the Koches began with the election of Haria Mech as the chief (Mandal ) of the tribal land near Chikina hill of Lower Assam in the late 1400 AD. The 'clan leaders' like- Panbar , Vedela , Bhedbhedo , Barihana , Kathia , Guwabar , Megho , Baihagu , Jeswe , Garukata , Judhabar and Dhekera had accepted Haria Mech as their chief for providing leadership in the further political progress. They submitted their ceremonial homage and tributes to the chief. Politically the small tract under Haria Mandal's chiefchip bounded by the Manas in the east and the Sankosh in the west and from Dhabalgiri in the north to the Brahmaputra in the south.

21. CHIKNA, Goalpara , Kamarupa was the 1 st capiatal of Raja Haria Mondal Mech

22. Mlechhaya Dynasty

23. Mlechhaya Dynasty 1498-1510 A.D. Capital : Chikna King : Raja Hariya Mondal Mech He ruled Chikna during 1498-1510. He had two wives namely Jira and Hira. Jira had two sons namely Chandan Narayan and Madan Narayan. Hira had two sons namely Viswa Singha ( Bishu ) and Siswa Singha ( Sishu ). After Haria Mondal Mech his elder son, Chandan Narayan was the ruler of Chikna .

24. RAJA Chandan Narayan 1510-1522 A.D. Capital : Chikna Dynasty : Mlechhya King : Chandan Narayan Raja Hariya Mondal Mech of Chikna had two wives namely Jira and Hira. Jira had two sons namely Chandan Narayan and Madan Narayan. After Haria Mondal Mech his elder son, Chandan Narayan was the ruler of Chikna during 1510- 1522. His second son Madan Narayan was the rular of Darrang . Madan Narayan died in a battle and his third son Biswa Singha became rular of Darrang . His fourth son Raikat Siswa Singha ( Sishu ) who became the rular of Baikhuthapur ( Jalpaiguri of un-divided Bengal).

25. Biswa Singha 1522-1554 A.D. Capital : Chikna ( Gowalpara,Assam ) Dynasty : Koch King : Biswa Singha ( Bisu ) Biswa Singha shifted his capital to Chikna (near Khuntaghat of Gowalpara district,Assam ) in 1522 AD after the death of his elder brother Raja Chandan Narayan. He had managed to unify the Mech , Koch, Bodo,Garo,Kachari,Chutia ,  and other tribal groups of Kamarupa-kamata .   He was very cleaver and formed alliances with various chiefs vide marriages .

26. Biswa Singha 1522 -1554 A.D. Biswa Singha proud to be said him as Koch King. Bishwa Singha (Bishu) was third son of Haria Mondal Mech & his mother was a Koch queen Hira . Hira was daughter of Koch King Hajo.

27. Biswa Singha 1522-1554 A.D. Capital : Chikna King : Biswa Singha Dynasty : Koch Biswa Singha had eighteen wives (from Nepal, Gour Bengal, Kamarupa , Baranosi , Mithila and Kashmir) who bore him 18 sons. He allotted them separate state duties. Nara Singha ( son of Rani Ratnakanti of Nepal ) was in charge of the territory conquered from the king of Bhutan. Nara Narayan alies Malladev ( son of Rani Hemaprabha of Gaur ) was his legal heir. Another son Sukladhwaj alies Chila Rai ( son of Rani Padmawati of Gaur ) was his legal Commander in chief. Kamal Narayan alies Gossain Kamal ( son of Chandrakanti of Kamarupa ) was in charge of public works.

28. Biswa Singha 1522 -1554 A.D. Capital: Chikna , Mohakal , Hingulabas , Kamatapur King : Biswa Singha Dynasty : Koch Bishwa Singha (Bishu) was third son of Haria Mondal Mech and his mother was a Koch queen Hira ie she was a Koch and daughter of King Hajo. Biswa Singha is called as the founder of “KOCH” Kingdom. He made a fort namely “ Kila Bisen Singha ” near Bhutan. After few year, he shifted his capital to Hingulabas ( Mohakalguri , Alipurduar ) and finally at Kamtapur ( Gossanimari , Cooch Behar). Reference : Kamarup-bansabali , Ahom burunchi

29. BHUIYAN challenge to Viswa Singha 1527-1533 A.D. Raja Narayan Bhuiyan of Upper Ahom had the status like Raja of Bhuiyans . He denied the kingship of Viswa Singha during 1527-1533 A.D. Viswa Singha plundered the estate specially the weapons like-bows, arrows, shields, spears, hatchet and swords. Bhuiyan inspite of offering serious challenge, eventually killed by Viswa Singha . The Koches captured the fort of Narayan Bhuiyan . lt contributed to the growth of Koch militia in the upper Ahom.

30. KOCH- Mohamedan Conflict IN KAMTA 1532 AD The   Koch-Khan conflicts (1532 A.D.) refer to the rivalry between the Koch and the Mohamedan over the control of the Ratnapith of Kamarupa-Kamata . The conflict began with Tubrak Khan of Bengal Sultanat and Koch king Biswa Singha . Tubrak Khan failed to capture Ratnapith of kamarupa-Kamata and returned to Bengal.

31. KOCH BEHAR , WEST BENGAL