History Of Assam

Ancient to 1397

Origin of the names:

1. Pragjyotishpur:

• 'Prag' means Eastern, 'Jotish' Means Astrology and 'Pur' means City

• 'City of Eastern Astrology' or Eastern Centre for the study of Astrology

• Source: Kalikapuran

2. Kamrupa:

• Where Kamdev regained his 'Rup' of form

• Four parts of kamrupa according to 'Yoginitantra' and Haragaurisambad'

1. Ratnapeeth(Karatowa river to Sonkosh river)

2. Kampeeth(Sonkosh river to Rupohi/Kopili River)

3. Saumarpeeth( Bharali/Bhairabi river to Dikrai/Dikrong river)

Contemporary Kingdoms:

1. Sonitpur: Ruled by king Bana, The mythological lovestory of Usha and Anirudha, Hara hari yudda(The bloody battle between Lord Shiva and Lord Srikrishna)

2. Kundil Or Bidarbha: Ruled by king Bhismak, The mythological lovestory between Lord Shrikrishna and the daughter of king Bhismak called Rukmini.

3. Davaka: Mentioned in the Allahabad Pillar Inscription of Gupta king Samudragupta

4. Sources: Kalikapuran, Yoginitantra, Charjyapad,, Haragaurisangbad, Allahabad Pillar Inscription of Gupta King Samudragupta, Gopath Brahman etc.

3. Assam:

• Assam= Uneven Unequal, Unconguarable

• Ha-Chom= Low land(Bodo word that has been speculated as the origin of the name Assam)

• Ha-Sam - The land of Tai people(Bodo-kachari word that has been speculated as the origin of the name Assam

MCQ

1. The name 'Pragjyotishpur' is derived from Sanskrit. What does "Prag" signify in this contex- Eastern.

2. According to the etymology of "Pragjyotishpur" the word "Jotisha" refers to- Light or Star/Astonomy(The name traslates to "The City of Eastern Light" or The city of Eastern Astronomy")

3. Which mythological figure is credited with founding the city of pragjyotishpur- Narakasura

4. In which ancient Indian epic is Pragjyotishpur described as the fortness of Narakasura- Ramayana(In the Mahabharata, it is ruled by his son Bhagadatta)

• Arthashastra- Katilya, Sanakya, Bishnugupta

• Rajatarangini- Kalahan

• Kirtan Ghoxa- Sankardev

• Nam Ghoxa- Madhavdeva

• Buranji- Ahom hokole likha itihak

5. The name "Kamrupa" first appeared in which historical record- Allahabad Pillar Inscription(of Samudragupta, 4th century CE)

6. According to the "Kalika Puran" why was the land named " Kamrupa"- Because Kamdeva [God of Love regained his form(Rup) There]

7. Which medieval text provides an elaborate description of the boundries and origin of the name Kamrupa- Yogini Tantra

8. The name "Assam" is most widely believed to be an anglicized version of which word- Asama, Aham, Acom(All of the these) [it is linked to "Asama" meaning peerless, and the Tai-Ahom word "Acam"]

9. Some schoolers suggest that "Assam" is derived from the Sankrit word "Asama" what does "Asama" means- Unequalled (Through some argue it refers to the "Uneven" terrain)

10. According to the Bodo theory of etymology, the name Assama might have originated from "Ha-com" What does "Ha-Com" mean- Low or Level Country

11. The Term "Ahom" from which "Assam" is likely derived, was used by the local people to refer to which group- The Tai-Shan invaders (who established the Ahom Kingdom in 1228 CE)