Rajbanshi Rajput

Koch Rajbongshi is an ancient tribe originally from the ancient Koch Kingdom. The Rajbongshi Rajput Tribe is referred to as Koch Rajbongshi/Rajbanshi/Rajvanshi. The word Rajbongshi means literally “Royal community”. They have a rich cultural heritage and their own language. The Kamata kingdom appeared in the western part of the older Kamarupa kingdom in the 13th century, after the fall of the Pala dynasty. The rise of the Kamata kingdom marked the end of the ancient period in the History of Assam and the beginning of the medieval period. The first rulers were the Khens, who were later displaced by Alauddin Hussain Shah, the Turko-Afghan ruler of Bengal. Though Hussain Shah developed extensive administrative structures, he could not maintain political control and the control went to the Koch dynasty. The Koches called themselves “Kamateshwars” (the rulers of Kamata), but their influence and expansions were so extensive and far reaching that their kingdom is sometimes called the Koch Kingdom. Under Maharaja Naranarayan, the Koch Dynasty flourished to the highest extent and his brother Shukladhwaj Singha (famous as Chilarai) was one of the greatest hero of that time.

Koch Kingdom

Bishwa Singha (1515-1540) laid the foundation of the Koch dominion over Kamata kingdom in the early part of the 16th century and established his capital in Cooch-Bihar. He was succeeded by his son Malladeva who took the name Naranarayana. His brother Sukladhvaj became his commander-in-chief. He was also called ‘Chilarai’ or ‘Kite King’ because of his ability to attack the enemy like a Chila (hawk or Kite). Naranarayan’s rule was the most glorious epoch of Koch kingdom. It was during his reign that the Ahoms suffered defeat in 1562. Chilarai also annexed the Kachari kingdom, Manipur, Tripura, Jayantia and Srihatta and extended its boundaries. Then again there was a battle with the Nawab of Gour. During that time Chilarai was attacked by small-pox and died on the banks of the Gangas.

Naranarayan died in 1584 after a reign of nearly fifty years (1540-1584). During his rule, the power of the Koch kings reached its zenith. Naranarayan’s rule is remarkable, for it was during his reign that the Assamese literature and culture flourished, which was inaugurated by Srimanta Sankardeva. After the death of Naranarayan, the Koch kingdom was not able to retain its glory. Consequently the Afghans and the Mughals took advantage and in 1615, the Koch kingdom was annexed to the Mughal Empire.