Kamrup District - History

History

The history of Kamrup dates backs to early first millennium c.e under Kamarupa Kingdom. The capitals of Varman Dynasty and Pala Dynasty namely Pragjyotishpura and Durjaya are in Kamrup. Kamrup later became part of Kamata kingdom in 12th century. Towards the end of the century, Kamrup witnessed invasions by Muslim rulers of Bengal. Towards 1498 CE, the last ruler of Kamata Kingdom was overthrown by Hussein Shah, ruler of Bengal. Hussein Shah, after this victory declared them self as the Conqueror of Kamru or Kamruf ( In Arabic alphabet there is no P, hence the Muslim rulers mention Kamrup as Kamru or Kamruf). Hussein Shah, later faced defeat when he invaded Ahom kingdom and the victorious Ahom army chased the invaders till Karatoya river. After the departure of Muslim forces, the power vacuum was filled by Koch dynasty, when Koch king Vishwa Singha and later his sons Narnarayan and Chilarai expanded their domain in these regions. It was during the reign of Koch dynasty, Vaisnava reformers Sankardev and Madhavdeva spread their ideals and Vaisnava culture in the region, which is still very much present till date. The Koch kingdom later divided into two parts, Koch Bihar and Koch Hajo. Kamrup falls into the domain of Koch Hajo. In 1612 CE, the last ruler of Koch Hajo, Parikshit Narayan was defeated by Mughals. He was taken prisoner and sent to Delhi, where he swore allegiance to Mughal Emperor Jahangir. After his death, the Mughals occupied Kamrup and made Hajo their headquarter. Parikshit's son Bijit Narayan was installed as a tributary ruler of Bijni. The two brothers of Parikshit Narayan, Bali Narayan and Gaj Narayan sought refuge in Ahom kingdom. The Ahom king Swargadeo Pratap Singha installed Bali Narayan as tributary ruler of Darrang, while Gaj Narayan was installed as the tributary ruler of Beltola. Meanwhile conflicts broke out between Ahoms and Mughals for the possession of Kamrup. A series of wars and battles fought by both sides, which includes the famous Battle of Saraighat, when the Ahom forces led by Lachit Borphukan defeated the Mughal forces led by Ram Singh I of Amber, in 1671 CE. Finally, in 1682 CE, the Mughals were completely expelled from Kamrup, by Ahom king Gadadhar Singha. From 1682 CE to 1826 CE, Kamrup remain as a part of Ahom Kingdom, with the Ahom Viceroy Borphukan administering the region from his headquarter in Guwahati. After the fall of Ahom kingdom and its subsequent occupation by British East India Company in 1826 CE, it became an district of British India, in the Brahmaputra valley division of Eastern Bengal and Assam. The headquarters was at Guwahati. The population is rural and suburban with major urban agglomeration in Guwahati, the largest city of region.

During British rule, this settlement had been one of the peasant uprising center against the British. Armed peasants vowed to through British rule but eventually suppressed by British administration with iron fist.

Kamrup district has been steadily decreasing in size for decades. In 1983 Barpeta district was split from Kamrup. Nalbari district was then similarly split off on 14 August 1985. On 3 February 2003 Kamrup Metropolitan district was formed to cover the urban core of the district, and 1 June 2004 saw the formation of Baksa district which was formed from parts of three districts, including Kamrup.