Debangana Nath
Volume-XII, Issue-IV, July 2024
Volume-XII, Issue-IV, July 2024 | ||
Published Online: 31.07.2024 | Page No: 249-254 | |||
Colony to
Kingdom: A study of Koch state formation in Cachar
Debangana
Nath, Ph.D Research Scholar, Department of History, Assam University,
Silchar, Assam, India | |
The historical process by which a polity transforms into a state with specific duties and exclusive use of physical force is known as state creation. Conquest, compulsion, and social evolution are among the theories. The origin of the state as a global institution are explained by the idea of association. The authority of monarchs established state borders, which evolved over time. The Koch kingdom of Viswa Singha reached its peak under Malladeva, with support from his brother Sukladhvaj (Chilarai). Malladeva acquired the name Naranarayan and his reign was known for favoring Brahmins, high castes, saints, and scholars, and played an imperial expansionist role. His brother and Deoyan, Chilarai, led triumphant campaigns against northeastern states and founded a small Koch principality in the Barak Valley. In 1562, Chilarai attacked the Tripura kingdom, leading to a battle that resulted in a victory for Chilarai. Naranarayan placed the deceased king’s brother on the vacant throne and fixed an annual tribute of 9,000 gold coins. He also stationed soldiers and constructed a fort near Brahmapur, later named Kochpur and now called Khaspur. Later Kamalnarayan (Gohai Kamal) was sent to Cachar as the Crown Agent or Governor to look after the affairs of Cachar. With the passage of time, Kamalnarayan assumed an independent status and laid the foundation of the independent Koch state in Cachar. | |
Keywords: Koch, Naranarayan, Chilarai, Cachar, Khaspur. |