Cachar – the southernmost
part of Assam has often found an inconsequential reference in historical books.
The Dimasa-Kachari kingdom had a glorious history which found its culmination
in the Cachar district of Barak valley. Relics of the Kachari dynasty beat in
this valley in the monumental form of the Khaspur Fort and Kacha Kanti Devi
temple.
Apparently, the
Dimasas (tribe) reigned over the Kamarup state of Assam during the Classical
period. However, in a tragic accident, while crossing the Brahmaputra valley to
evade a political upheaval, some of the ill-fated Dimasa men were drifted away
by the strong river currents. Ever since this incident, the Dimasas identifies
themselves as “sons of the big river” meaning a clan which was breathed life by
the mighty Brahmaputra.
Exploring the
additional narratives revolving around the Dimasa-Kachari rule, legendary
account of Hasengcha, a wonder boy who was reared by a tiger and tigress in a
jungle nearby Dimapur became widely known. Later, this particular Hasengcha was
deemed to be the precursor of the Dimasa dynasty in Maibang and Khaspur uptil
the 19th century. The prime deity of the Dimasas was the war-goddess
Kechai-Khaiti (one who eats raw flesh). Subsequently, they switched their
devotion to Ranachandi (another form of Goddess Parvati or Kali). This sea
change occurred when the Dimasas shifted their capital to Maibong, reasons
owing to the attack of the Ahoms in 1536.
While in Maibang, the
modus vivendi being a Hindu tradition, it had a profound impact on the mindset
of the Dimasas.
Even so, the complete
conversion of the first Kachari king to Hinduism came about only in Khaspur dated
much later. With their conversion to Hinduism in the 18th century,
the entire Kachari kingdom was named as Hidimba and its monarchs as
Hidimbesvar. Narratives entwined around legends of that era exhibit the regal
family to be originating/ emerging from Ghatotkacha, Bhima’s (gallant of Mahabharata) and Hidimbi’s (Kachari
people’s princess) offspring.
Khaspur, which was
initially a part of the Tripura kingdom, was governed by Kamalnarayana, sibling
of the famous Koch king Chilarai. The 18th century which saw Bhima
Singha to be the last Koch ruler of Khaspur had no male successor to the
throne. Hence, his daughter Kanchani was married off to LaxmiChandra, the
Dimasa emir of Maibang kingdom. This created an association between the two
realms.
With the death of
Bhima Singha, the Dimasas grabbed the chance to settle on a new plain with a
newer perspective in hand. Consolidating the two kingdoms into one, people then
saw the emergence of the powerful Kachari kingdom under King
Gopichandranarayan.
The Rajbari or in
other words, the ruins of the former King’s palace can be seen scattered here
and there inside the present day tea-garden of Pathemara Tea Estate. Some of
the former structures seem to have taken an absolute new appearance after
renovation. The Bengali do chala roof
is indicative of the aesthetic sense of the Kachari kings. Temples dedicated to
Lord Shiva and Devi Ranachandi accrue the tourist’s attention too. Remnants of
the fortification wall can be seen standing strong in the complex till today.
The Singha darwaza, char chala staircase, the Snanghar
(Queen’s bath) and their exquisite designs and motifs lay out the technical
bent of mind of the Kacharis. With appropriate and proper refurbishment, the
Khaspur site would make a permanent lodestone for tourists.
Pagan belief systems
that were earlier practiced by the Kacharis got washed away under the Hindu
aura. In fact, analyzing Kacharis since their footsteps in Cachar represent
them as God-fearing people. Under the Hindu spirit, Kachari tradition of tribal
habits and customs got supplanted by Hindu practices.
Dreams had a symbolic
purpose in installing the prominence of the royals in the ancient times. Such
was the backstory behind the founding of Kachakanti Devi temple. It is being
said that Raja Krishnakanta dreamt a dream where he was dictated to establish a
temple to worship a frightful form of a deity. When the message of this oracle
was carried to the royal priest Sonaram Sarma, he laid the temple stones with
Kachakanti Dev as its idol in present day Udharbond. Rites and rituals
associated to adulating the Goddess was also imparted by the priest.
Sans proper upkeep,
the models of cultural and religious pride of Silchar are in a staggering
position. Being Silcharians, our endeavor ought to be to uplift this valley
along with preserving our historical anecdotes. The ruins of Khaspur bellow
unkempt and abandoned scenes of our heritage. With the rise in marketing
industry, tourism can be a gainful venture for this valley. Assigning history
specialist guides to cognize outsiders of the assets of Barak valley is sure to
fascinate the adventure-minded folks. At this juncture, invoking the common
people to safeguard their splintered legacy is the only way to turn this valley
into a paradise.
