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.