History of Assam: Mute Glory

The History of Assam has a glorious past. Although the dated history starts from the 4th century AD, its pre-historic period can be traced back to antiquity. The relics like caves, stone Celts, pots etc which are yet to be properly studied cover this period of antiquity. In addition, mythological period of Assam's history is full of legends and traditions scattered in ancient books viz., Epics, Puranas and Trantras.

Assam is an ancient land and figured prominently in international trade even before the birth of Jesus Christ. Chang Kien, a Chinese explorer, traced his country's trade with Assam as far back as in 100 BC. Himalayan malabathrum and Chinese silk from Assam, according to the Periplus of the Erythrean Sea, had reached Egypt and Rome in Pre-Christian times. Assam also figured naturally in Ptolemy’s geography. Human footprints in the land have been traced to the Early Stone-Age. The Copper-Bronze and Iron-Age cultures of Assam are however yet to be dug out.

The principal migrants have been the Austro-Asiatics, the Dravidians, the Tibeto-Burmans, the Mongoloids and the Aryans. The Austro-Asiatics who constituted the earliest wave initially dwelt in the Brahmaputra valley but were later made by subsequent waves to find alternative homes in the hills. The Khasis and Jaintias of present Meghalaya are said to be their modern descendants.

Pragjyotishapura, the city of Eastern Light, finds mention in the epics, which describe the Kirata land as stretching from the northern hills to the southern seas. Vishnu Purana and Kalika Purana confirm the extent of the land, then known as Kamarupa, for 450 miles in all directions from the shirne of Kamakhya located atop the blue hill close to modern Guwahati. Narakasura, the founder of Pragjotishpura, is said to have settled Aryans in the land. His successor, Bhagadatta, figured in the Mahabharata war leading a vast army against the Pandavas.

The oldest legendary figure is Mohiranga Danava. There is a hill named Mairang near Guwahati. It may have some association with Mohiranga. After Mohiranga, Ghatakasura ruled this region. Narakasura about whom we have discussed in other pages, coming from Videha invaded this ancient country and become the ruler of Pragjyotishpura after killing Ghatakasura. Bhagadatta, son of Narakasura, who ruled after him was an illustrious warrior and joined the Kurukshetra war as mentioned in the great Epic Mahabharata.

All the ancient dynasties, i.e. Bhauma-Varman, Salastambha and Pala ruling ancient Kamrupa claimed descent from Narakasur.

[In this series we endevour to put together the past glories of Assam. Feel free to write to us with any suggestion and comments.]