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A journey to Cooch Behar part II
1. A journey to CITY OF BEAUTY
(COB) Part II
Cooch Behar (Koch Bihar) was a 13-gun salute princely state with area of 3387 sq.
Km.(1,307 sq. miles) .It was ruled by Rajbanshi. The eastern portion, Koch Hajo,
was absorbed by Ahom. The western portion, Koch Bihar, formed a separate unit
that came under direct challenge by the Mughal Empire. After that, a new foe
emerged in the form of an expansionist Bhutanese kingdom. After a series of wars
with the Bhutanese and Tibetans, the Koch Bihar court decided to invite British
intervention. This came in the form of military assistance that acting in concert
with Koch Bihar forces ended the Northern challenge once and for all. When the
British colonial rule was finally terminated in India, the Koch Bihar state
immediately acceded to and merged with India.
Tusar Kanti Ghosal M.Sc Ph.D
Email: drtkghosal@gmail.com
Published : 7th December 2018
2. Synonyms of Cooch Behar
Pragjotish : Ref: “Ramayana”, “Mohabharata”, “Haribangsa”, “Brahma”,”Brahmanda”, “Bayu o
Matso”.
Kamrup : Ref: “Joginitantra”, “Kalikapuran”.
Koch-badhupur : Ref: “Brahmabaibarto Puran”, “Melbidhi” by Debibor Misra.
Koch-bhumi : Ref: “Kamrup Sasonaboli”
Koch : Ref: Ralf Fitch 1558; Partugrisee Tourist Stefen Casila
Kamta : Ref: “Markendeyo Puran” of Pitambar Sidhanta Bagis; King Prano
Narayan and King Modh Narayan referred them as “kamtewar”).
Koch-Bihar or Koch-Hajo : Ref: “Batsahonam”a and “Sahojahanama”.
Bihar: Ref: “Rajopakhan” of Biswanath Das; map of Major James Renol.
Behar : Ref: W.W.Hunter.
Koch-Behar or Cooch Behar : Ref: “Biswakosh”; Declaration of Koch Behar
Dianastry,1896; Histotorian Ramesh Chandra Majumder, “Rajkahini” of Biswanath Das,1999.
3. Koch Kingdom
The huge Koch Kingdom was divided as Koch Behar (Koch Kamata)
and Koch Hajo (Kamrup) between Biswa Singha’s sons and
grandsons in 1581. Koch Hajo became Bijni (Assam) along with two
more small Koch principalities namely, Darang and Beltola (both in
Assam). The Raikot family, descendant of Biswa Singha’s brother
Siva Singha, continued to rule Baikunthpur (Jalpaiguri in West
Bengal). Two more Koch States emerged parallel to the main Koch
state, Panga (now in Bangladesh) and Sidli (Assam).
4. KOCH RAJBONGSHI
Koch Rajbongshi community is one of the primitive community of the Koch
Kingdom being ruled by the Koch Kings. The homelands of Koch Rajbongshi
people comprises their ancient Kamtapur Kingdom, Koch Kingdom, Kamarupa
Kingdom. They inhibit in entire Assam, northern parts of West Bengal, Nepal,
Meghalaya and Bangladesh.
Koch Rajbongshi people stay very close to the nature. Usually every Koch Rajbonshi House
have Mango Tree, Jackfruit tree and a Small Kitchen Garden, with a small Pond. It is a
Tradition for Koch Rajbonshi Men to go for Hunting in the wild. They have there ancient
tradition of treatment which is not very well know to the modern medicine world.
OLD PALACE OF KOCH RAJBONGSHI
5. Rajbongshi language
Chilaroy
Rajbongshi language it is also known as desi bhasa, or bhuwia language. In Goalpara they
call it goalparia bhasa. They believe in sacred hood where by foreign elements does not
have access to observe the rituals and customs being practiced from ancient times.
The term ‘Rajbanshi’ came into
existence from Biswa Singha’s period as
a section of the common Koches
started calling themselves Rajbanshi or
the royal descendents. Once Biswa
Singha consolidated power, a strong
wave of Brahminical Hinduism entered
the Koch administration and royal
families. With this, their Tibeto-Burman
tongue and traditions were mostly lost.
Noticeably, majority of the Koches had
decided to shift from a matrilineal
tradition to a patriarchal set up.
6. Narayan: the title of Koch king
Nara Narayan was son of Biwa Singha. The huge Koch
Kingdom was divided as Koch Behar (Koch-Kamata) and
Koch-Hajo (Kamrup) between the rule of Biswa Singha’s
sons and grandsons till 1581. Perhaps all kings after Nara
Narayan used their title as Narayan.
7. SANKARI RENESHAN
Mahorshi Sankardeb, Madhavdeb
and their diciples came to Koch
Bihar on 1563 from Ahom
dynastry when King Nara Narayan
was king of KOCH DYNASTRY
(1554-1587).
He was founder of “NEO-
CHAITANYABAD” at Koch Bihar
and his period is called as
“SANKARI RENESHAN”.
In that period, the local tribals of
Koch dynastry were converted
into “HINDU-KOCH”.
A part of that “Hindu Koch” and
their generations are now called
as “RAJBANGSHI” or “DESHI”.
8. In 1489, Shankaradeva performed his last journey to Cooch
Behar when Maharaja Nar Narayan requested him to preach
the teachings of the neo-Vaishnava cult. It was in his honour that the
Madhupur Dham was built in the 16th century. This place has a
special significance for the devotees of Acharya Shankaradeva.
Acharya Shankaradeva
9. CAPITAL OF KOCH KINGDOM
Chikna or Chiknajhar or Khuntaghat : Presently at Kokrajhar,Gowalpara district of
Assam. Probably it was capital before 1498.
Hingulabas : Presently near Chechakhata taluk, Samuktala, Alipurduar district.
Probably it was capital before 1510.
Gosanimari Rajpat : Presently near Dinhata Block II and Sitai. Probably it was
capital on 1510-1556.
Hajo: Presently at Assam. It was capital of King Laxmi Narayan (after 1557)
Atharo-kotha : Presently at western side river torsa near Moamari, Cooch Behar
Sadar Block I . Probably it was also capital during 1557-1704.
Guriahati : Probably it was capital during the period of King Rup Narayan 1704-
1714.
Daluabari : Capital at Cooch Behar Sadar Block I nearest to Ghugumari and again
during 1715-1812.
Bhetaguri : That capital established on 09.11. 1812 (day of Rash Purnima).
Presently at Dindata Block I.
Daluabari : Temporary capital at Cooch Behar Sadar Block I nearest to
Ghughumari during 1828 .
Cooch Behar Town : 1828-1950.(Old Palace 1828-1886. New Palace 1887-1950)
* King of Gour Sutan Hossain Sah rulled over Kamtapur during 1498-1500
10. PRINCES HOUSE OF KOCH KINGDOM
Chilaroy Fort: Residence of Suklyaddaz or
Chila Roy) during 1554-1587. Presently at Andaram
Fulbari, Tufanganj.
Nalrajar Grah: Residence of Chila Roy and
his army during 1554-1587. It was also named as
Naronarayan Grah.
Atharo-kotha: Residence of 18 sons of
King Laxmi Narayan during 1557-1621.
Jiranpur/Bangalbari : King Harendra
Narayan stayed few days here.
Kashi/Benaras: King Harendra Narayan
Nilkuthi I: King Indrajitendra Narayan used to
reside in this palace. It was destroyed.
Chilaroy or Suklyaddaz
1554-1587
11. RASH MELA
It is one of the most colorful festivals celebrated in Cooch Behar. It is
celebrated in honor of Lord Madan Mohan at Madan Mohan temple
complex. It is one of the popular annual festival of India probably
started on 9th Nov’1812.
12. NIL KUTHI 2nd Building (Presently D.M. Banglow)
It is a historic spot situated beside Cooch behar Air Port. It was
permanent residence of Vice President of State Council (Chief
Administrator of Cooch Behar State). It was also resident of Dewan
Bahadur R. Subba Naidu, V.I. Nanjappa. First Chief Minister of West
Bengal Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy also resided there on 31st Dec’1949.
Cooch Behar Air Port
13. RAIL BRIDGE ON TORSA
The NF Railways have declared the century-old Cooch Behar State Railway
(CBSR) station as a heritage structure to preserve its historical significance. The
historic railway station will be reconstructed with a design from the royal era of
the past. There is a heritage railway museum. The a heritage museum has been
set up in the existing railway station at Cooch Behar, displaying numerous
artifacts, including vintage photographs of the erstwhile age-old furniture, track
fittings and fixtures. The erstwhile CBSR had its 35-km-long railway track on
narrow gauge during the regime of Maharaja Nripendra Narayan. The railway
track was first laid in 1893 from Gitaldah to Ghughumari to link the state with
East Bengal Railway. The first passenger train on this line was operated on March
1, 1894. Though the station building in Cooch Behar was ready on December 15,
1898, the first train arrived in the station from outside only on June 15, 1900,
after the inauguration of the rail bridge over the Torsa river.
15. CHILAROY BARRACK
This heritage building is being used by the Indian Army
(one battalion of Army is stationed in Cooch Behar)
16. KESHOB ASHRAM oR BRAMHA MANDIR
It is another historical site of Cooch Behar town. Kumar Gajendra Narayan was the
founder of the temple of Nava Bidhan Brahmo Samaj, Keshav Ashram, Arya Naree
Samaj, Brahmo Pally, Brahmo Library and Brahmo Boarding.In the Royal era this
place was used as the cremation centre of the members of the royal family. It is also
called RANI BAGAN. Now it is turned as a children park.
17. SAHID BAG
Sahid Bug established at Sagardighi west of Cooch Behar Town in
memory of Sahid Kobita, Bakul, Bandana, satish and Badal on 1951.
Another Sahid stone established at Sagardighi north called Biman
Rrbin Haidor Sahid Bedi on 1988.
18. INDIAN TANK
Lying in front of North Bengal State Library (behind the
tank), in memory of the Pakisthan and Bangladesh war
1971
22. DANGAR AYEE TEMPLE
Established by Dangar Ayee kameswari Debi, first Queen of King Sibendra Narayan
on 15.01.1884. It is famous as the 'Aunt's House' of Lord Madan Mohan and hence
the locality is known as Gunjabari. Famous Rath Jatra Fair held here each year in
the month of July.
23. SIDHANATH SHIVA TEMPLE
Sidhanath Shiva Temple situated at Daluabari, near Ghughumari ,
Cooch Behar Block 1 It was completed during the period of King
Sibendra Narayan (1799-1843)
25. BANESWAR SIDDHESWARI
Situated at a distance of 11 km from Cooch Behar town (one km from
Baneswar), it was constructed around 1830 by Maharaja Harendra Narayan. The
temple houses the idols of Goddess Siddheswari. There is the
holy Kamranga tree by the side of the temple.
26. Madhupur Satra or Dham
Present temple at Madhupur built on 1965 with financial assistance from
King Jagadipendra Narayan, disciples of Sankardev and Govt. of Assam. It
is 7 km from Cooch Behar Town
27. MADAN MOHAN Or BALARAM TEMPLE,
DINHATA
Established on 1314 Bangabdo. Rashmela, Ratha Jatra, Janmastomi and
Dol Jatra held here
28. KRISH BALARAM TEMPLE, MATHABHANGA
Statues of Krishna and Balaram are established in the Temple. It is situated
near the S.D.O.'s office. This temple is domed at the top. Ratha Jatra, Raas
Jatra, Janmastami and Dole Jatra are celebrated here every year.
31. Cooch Behar at a glance
Nearest Airport: Bagdogra, Siliguri (180 Km.) and Guwahati (340 Km).
Cooch Behar Airport: Nilkuth Rail Ghumti, Ward 9, Cooch Behar Town
Nearest Rail Station: Cooch Behar, New Cooch Behar (5 Km), New
Alipurduar (25 Km), Alipurduar Junction (28 Km).
Bus Stand: NBSTC Bus Terminas, New Bus Stand and B.C.S.
Private Bus Stand or Mini Bus Stand.
Taxi Stand: Silver Jubilee Road, near MJN Hospital
Retiring Room: New Cooch Behar and Cooch Behar Rly. Station.
Govt. Guest House: Circuit House I and II ; PWD Guest House, Irregation
Guest House, Dharma Shala (Debottor Trust), Pantha Nivas, Probash, Abas
(Municipality), Athithi Nivas (Zila Parishad).
Hotel: Cooch Behar Town, South Khagrabari, Baburhat
Tourist Information Centre: Madan Mohan Bari, near Bairagi Dighi.
32. REFERENCES
• Barma Sukhobilas. 2006. Lokosangite Cooch Behar. Paschim
Bango. 39(12):303-308.
• Sanyal Soven. 2006. Cooch Behar kichu katha, kichu itihas.
Alipurduar Nature Club. Alipurduar Court. W.B. India
• Pal Nripendranath .1987. Coochbeharer itihas (History of Cooch
Behar).
• Das Biswanath.1985. Coochbeharer Purakirtee Sangraho. Nath
Publishing, Kolkata.
• Durgadas Majumder.1977. West Bengal District Gazetteer- Koch
Bihar.
• Khan Chowdhury Amanatullya.1936. Cooch Beharer Itihas (Part I).
• Choudhury Harendra Narayan . 1903. The Cooch Behar State and
its Land revenue Settlements.
• www.coochbehar.nic.in
33. Dedicated to my didi (sister in law)
Sushree Mitra (Dasgupta)
Her contribution in the field of home science and Psychology will ever remain.
Type locality: Jalpaiguri, India Habitat: Garia, Kolkata
Education: Jalpaiguri Govt. School, P.D. Women's College,
University of North Bengal, Jadavpur University
Profession: Psychological counselor
Entrance in the Earth: 1963
Heavenly abode: 20th Nov.2018
