The Koches :

• The word “Koch” or “Koches” means the people belonging to the “Koch” race, an ethnic group of indigenous peoples of Asian continent mainly falling within Mongoloid stock; who traversed in different places of Asia from Pre-Vedic Period down to the present century. During Vedic and epic age these people were known as Asurs, Mlechachas, Kiratas, Non-Aryans, Panis etc. During Paurani and Tantric age, these people were mentioned as Ku-Vachas (users of evil language). Subsequently in course of time these Kuvachas alias modern Koches had concentrated in the geographical area known as ancient Kamrupa alias north-east region of undivided India. This region was well protected by nature in the past, when means of communications and transportations were in primitive stage. Bounded on the north by the Lordly Himalayas and on the south by Mandachala popularly now known as the Garo Hills and protected in the East and West by the Dikkara-Vahini (the turbulent and powerfull Dikkarai river) and the sacred Karatoya river (compared to river Ganga in vastness and sacredness) respectively, this beautiful strip of land seemed situated on the very lap of motherly and lovely Nature.

Antiquity of Koches :

• The Panis alias Pani-Koches the forefathers of modern Koches of north-east India, were mentioned in many hymns of Rig-Veda (Vide-IV.58:4; 1.124.10; i.83.5; X.108.7 etc.); wherein the story of Sarama – is an instance of tricks played by the Aryans against the Panis (Pani-Koches) are available. Names of Pani Chiefs, descriptions of their territories and terrible battles between Panis (Pani-chiefs) and Aryans also available in Bhagawata-Purana (Skanda V. Chapter 9; and V.24.30). These Pani Koches were not only civilized but also undertook sea-voyages for purposes of trade and commerce (vide Rk. 1/46/2). There is one widely circulated story. In the dim past one Chand Sadagor of Champak Nagor situated on the foot hills of Mandachal (Garo hills area) carried out several Sea-Voyages for trade and commerce in Lanka (Sri Lanka) and beyond countries with the help of his famous seven Dingas alias “Sapta Dinga” (7 big boats). Learned critics of social history opined that Chand Sadagor, his son Lakhindar and daughter-in-law named Beula alias Bahula etc. belonged to Pani-Koches. There is sufficient reason to belive that the time honoured popular story of this locality (ancient Kamrupa region) was incorporated in Padma Puran by the complier of such Pauranik treaties for the purpose of glorifying Lord Siva and his consort Sakti. It is an admitted fact that Lord Siva was worshipped as the First God (Adi Dev) at least by the Koches of north-east India since people started worshipping spiritual forces. There was not a single village or family where Lord Siva was not worshipped individually or collectively by an ordinary family or by a royal family. It is also historically ascertained that the royal dynasty established by Hariya Mandal and his famous son Bisu alias Biswa Singha during 15^th century A.D. was identified as Siva Dynasty and this royal dynasty ruled, in different parts of undivided north-east India, continuously from 15^th century to 1947 A.D., when British India was divided into three parts i.e. India, West Pakisthan and East Pakisthan (subsequent Bangla Desh). It is also an admitted fact that the main national dress of the females of Koch-Rajbanshi peoples of north-east India was “Patani” till the end of 20^th century. Now it is used sparingly by the females of rural areas. This “Patani” was the main dress of “Behula” of Padma Puran fame; though she belonged to aristocratic family i.e. daughter-in-law of Chand (Chandradhar) Sodagor – a chief of Pani-Koches of ancient Kamrupa region. “Patani” is now being replaced by “Mekhala”, “Saree” and “Churidar payjama” with the march of time. Indeed a careful study on the hymns of Rig Veda composed under inspirations by the Seers (Rishess), who were deadly enemies of the Pani Koches, would leave no room for doubt that the Panis were a powerful, prosperous and civilized race. They were engaged in trade and commerce. In many places of Rigveda the Vedic Rishees are found to express lamentations for fear of the Panis, who were opposed to all kinds of sacrificial rites. According to Yajurveda while the Aryans performing “Pitrimedha Yanga” (for propitiating the spirits of the departed ancestors) the very first hymns that has to be offered is “Opato Yong tu Ponoyo Omunna Devo Piyoboh” (Vajasaneya Samhita 35.1). The meaning of this hymns is – “Be off the disagreeable Panis who are enemies of the gods”. Many such instances can be cited that the modern Koches, the decendents of the ancient Panis or Pani Koches, were there at least in various parts of ancient India and Asia since Vedic and Pre-Vedic age. From the ancient literatures of western world including Greek literature written by historian like Herodotus of 5^th century (450/B.C.) it can clearly be proved that the Koches used to dominate even over the waters and sea-shores of Mediterranean sea. Babu Nagendra Nath Vasu in his famous book “The Social History of Kamrup” dealt with Pani Koches of East and West at different pages of 1^st Chapter of Vol. 1 of above book, first published in 1922 and first reprinted in 1983 A.D. in three volumes. In this volume Babu N.N. Vasu has clearly said that the Panis alias Pani-Koches alias the Phoenicians, described in the Vedas, as an ancient race of trades whom the Vedic Aryans hated and regarded them as their rivals. The Panis settled down on the eastern borders of India, after they had been expelled from the western parts of the country by their more powerful opponents – the Aryans. All traces of the existence of the Phoenicians who were the originators of European civilization have been bottled out from the western world. Col. Delton in his book “Ethology of Bengal” at page 92 clearly said about the Koches – “They assumed the name of Pani Koch to distinguish themselves from the hill neighbors, the Garos, with whom they were often confounded in consequence of the similarity of their manners, and customs; but their religion and language resemble rather those of the Rabhas then the Garos.” Earlier in one of my Assamese article entitled “Bismrito Otitor Rangoni” (Ray on the forgotton past) much have been discussed on the Pani Koches of erstwhile Goalpara district (created in 1822 A.D.) and this article was published at pages 1 to 8 in “Agloti” – Souvenir of 57^th Annual Session of Assam Sahitya Sabha held from 19^th to 22^nd April, 1991 A.D. at Dudhnoi town (Goalpara district), Assam.

From Panis to Modern Koch-Rajbanshies :

• Here an attempt has been made to throw a flash of light on the checkered history of the Koches since pre-vedic days, who traversed the boisterous waves of time, under various names : such as Asuras, Demons, Mlechachas, Kiratas, Kuvacha, Pani-Koches, Meches, Kombozees, Koches, Bratya Kshatriyas, Bhanga-Kshatriyas, Kshatriyas and lastly as Rajbanshi alias Koch-Rajbanshies as are evident from the written records of ancient scriptures, Vedas, Purans, Tantras, mythological stories, Greek writings and also in various ancient and modern histories of native and foreign scholars. These ancientmost peoples originally twined in matriarchial society, as were common in many other tribes of Lord Siva and his consort Sakti (Siva-Sakti).
• The ancient Koches might have accepted Asura and Mleccha cult but as time gone by gradually the Koches of lower Himalayan terrain and Bhutan Doowers area supported Jainism and Budhism as Mohabir Jain and Gautom Budha belonged to the above area as their birth places surrounded by the ancient Koches at that period. Many stone statues of Mohabir Jain (the last Tirthanker) and ‘Stups’ including statues of Gautom Budha have been discovered in the mainland of Pani-Koches areas like Sri Suryya Hills, Jogighopa etc. areas of earstwhile Goalpara district. The story of Moinamoti and Gopichand and connected songs amply demonstrate the influence of Budhism and Jainism amongst the indigenons peoples of north east India. Thereafter the ancient Koches come under the strong hold of Hinduised Aryan priests when Budhism, with its perverted practices, was withering away from Indian soil due to strong suppressions on Budhists by privileged priest class under the covering name of Brahmins- the custodians of Hinduism. The fall of Budhism and rise of Hinduism gave birth to many caste and sub-castes amongst Hindus.
• The eulogy of castes especially upper castes, eulogized the priests class as Brahmins who were supposed to be first Childs of God – the almighty. Such caste eulogy in Hinduised India started playing havoc in Indian society; which caused vivisections and badly weakended the strong hold of the solidarity of Indian society – i.e. the pride of feeling or being Indian. Thus the protagonists of Islamism got widely spread red carpets for entering Indian field from Arab world in every nook and corners of house divided India. Ultimately the Mughal emperors who were also followers of Islamism occupied Delhi – the one time political and royal centre of Hindu powers. But due to fanatically orthodox some leaders of Islamism whose hearts were in Macca & Madina and bodies in Indin in the name of religion, have played the same pranicious role in Mughal India and Christianism started entering deep amongst the so called untouchables and low castes of Hindus, who were hitherto kept backward and deprived from acquiring scientific knowledge. Of course Indian Govt. after independence has realized that cause of such mental backwardness of the commoners; but the steps to remove backwardness failed to make any headway due to corrupted mentality of most of the bureaucrates who mostly hail from upper castes. The faulty system of education adopted by Govt. of India, taught, the Degree holder elites, one most harmful philosophy of life. These elites imbibed the ideal that “Money is dearer than man; catch money as many as you can”. So most of the bureaucrates who generally hail from so-called upper castes of Indian society have become servants of money. So castism must be removed with strong hand from Hindus of India. By mere oral slogans caste will never be eradicated unless an alternative to caste system is provided. In place of caste, the inherited peculiarities and particularities of ethnic group or sub-group of peoples of India and world should be protected and enriched. Each region should be made responsible for the welbeing of the next neighbouring region. Each bridegroom should marry a bride of any ism or ethnic group, who is a little bit less or inferior in every respects including culture, for better progeny. The question of caste system and ism distinctions should in no way be considered in such compatibe marriage or union. This is based on divine and universal law which is also scientific. Observance of caste system and ism distinction are totally unscientific and harbinger of ignorance. Beware of those men whose God or gods are in the sky. Beware of those religious leaders who hold the view that isms are ‘Dharma’ or religion. Because if isms are held as Dharma, then terrorism, seperatism, plunderism, chauvinism, communism, capitalism, Hedonism, Racialism, Marxism, Ghandhism, Escapism, Individualism etc. should also be treated as Dharma. If the above isms are not accepted as Dharma; then Hinduism, Budhism, Jainism, Christianism, Islamism etc. are also not Dharma. The word ‘Dharma’ implies oneness and singular. It is a Sanskrit word. The idea, ideal, action which uphold the being and becoming and becoming of an individual with his environment is called Dharma. That which uphold the being and becoming is called Dharma. “What makes anything stand on with life and growth is Dharma. Upholding urge of our existence is Dharma”- said Sree Sree Thakur. So Dharma through out the world is one; because three is not a single living being or man who does not desire to live and that too in a better way. As nobody wants to die, so Dharma is also one for all. It is, on this practical and present background especially of north-east India, where Koches are predominately larger in population as an ethnic group and who are now most backward Hindus, Caste system in India is one of the main factor of injustice, exploitation and backwardness. Hence independent India even after sixty years is a backward country and is treated as one of the corrupted country in the world as are reported in Newspapers; vide Daily Newspaper “Asomiya Khobor” at page 4, dated 12^th June/2003 in the article written by Lakhinandan Bora, Ex-President, Assam Sahitya Sabha & Assam Tribune dated 13the June/2003 reported by S.J. Sorabji Atorny Genl. The fathomless plight of the Koches alias Koch Rajbanshies of north-east India created deliberately by some shrewd politicians in collusion with some corrupt bureaucrats, is a glaring case-history for carring out research works by sociologists and scholars alike. The detailed and gradual conversion from pani-Koches to modern Koch-Rajbanshies have been discussed in subsequent chapters of this Bloge – “The Koches Around The World.”