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Among these Bhuiyans one named Hajo turned out to be benevolent. He had two daughters named Jira and Hira. On the other side there was a small territory at Chikna Mountains situated between Sankosh/Saraldanga river and Champabati river about 50 miles north of Dhubri in present Goalapara district of Assam. This territory was ruled by Hadiya or Haridas Mondal. He belonged to Haihoi dynasty belonging to Mech caste. To establish unity wih Chikna, Hajo wedded off his daughters to Haridas. In due time Jira gave birth to Madan & Chandan while Hira gave birth to Sishu (Sisya Singha) & Bishu (Viswa Singha). Among the four, Bishu was the bravest, cleverest and toughest. Gradually these four brothers mastered the art of war and started attacking & winning over the villages surrounding Chikna.
Maharaja Chandan [Rajshak 1-14 || 1510-1523 A.D.] :1st Maharaja:
It was the beginning of Rajshak (royal calender year) in 1510 A.D. or 917 of the Bengali calendar when Maharaja Chandan was enthroned. In fact Chandan was the formost of the "Koch" kings, Viswa Singha was the main initiator of the "Koch" royal dynasty.Disorder prevailed in Kampith or Kamtapur after Hossain Shah devastated the land defeating king Kamteswar. Along with Kamtapur, Maharaja Chandan invaded small surrounding territories and brought those lands under his rule. He passed away in 1523 A.D. after having reigned for 13 years.
Maharaja Viswa Singha [Rajshak 14-45 || 1523-1554 A.D.] : 2nd Maharaja:
Viswa Singha was crowned next in absence of any son of Maharaja Chandan. His brother Sisya Singha held the royal umbrella atop the crown. Sisya Singha was entitled as "Raikat" or 'family guardian' and over his next generations acquired the Prime Ministerial post.
Apart from being a grand king Maharaja Viswa Singha was also a good administrator as well. He invaded Soumarpith, Bijni, Bidyagram and Bijaypur and turned out victorious. Next he attacked Bhutan where on facing defeat came to terms with the king of Bhutan. After that he attacked Gour. Hossain Shah was then ruling Gour and Sikander Lodhi (1489-1517 A.D.) was the Sultan of Delhi. Viswa Singha won over major portions of Gour. On his mother's request he shifted his capital from Chikna mountains to Hingulabas in the plains. This is evident from 'Hingulacoat' to the north of Mahakalguri village within Alipurduar of today.Viswa Singha was a great benevolent king. During his reign Muslim invaders attacked Kamrup many times but after facing defeat they were forced to retreat. In 1532 A.D. Turukh Khan was defeated while attacking Assam.
At that time Nasrat Shah, king of Gour attacked Viswa Singha's kingdom but had to flee after having lost in the battle. In fact Maharaja Viswa Singha strongly consolidated the base of the newly established Behar kingdom/empire.
At the age of 53 in 1554 A.D. he set out for the Himalayas to lead the rest of his life as saint after crowning his second son - Nara Narayan.
Maharaja Viswa Singha was lenient towards education. For educating his sons he sent Nara Narayan & Sukladhaj to Varanasi.
Maharaja Viswa Singha was the worshiper of Shiva and Durga. He attained Dikkha (religious enlightenment) near a Brahmin named Kalichandra Bhattacharya. At the last stage of his life he was engaged in divine contemplation.
He retired after handing over the kingdom to the hands of his sons.
Maharaja Nara Narayan[Rajshak 45-78 || 1554-1587 A.D.] : 3rd Maharaja:
After Viswa Singha, arrangements were going on for the crowning of his eldest son, Nri Singha, as the next king.
After being enthroned Nara Narayan appointed Shukladhaj as the army commander and let Nri Singha to reside at present Panga Pargana of Rangpur district. There Nri Singha led life in divine contemplation. After a few days Sisya Singha Raikat retired and left for Baikunthapur to live the rest of his life. A Brahmin was appointed as new Najir (summoner).
Gourpasha was the king of Gour when Akbar (Mughal emperor) intended to invade Gour. Akbar asked for help from Nara Narayan. He organised army from among local fellowmen and attacked Gour. Shukladhaj was appointed as the commander of that invasion and was also joined by Sisya Singha Raikat.
In Sisya Singha's army there were Rajput and Pathan soldiers. Debraj, king of Bhutan, also joined the attacking alliance with many soldiers. That vast army got divided into groups and attacked Gour. Gourpasha was defeated and the kingdom of Gour got divided between Nara Narayan and Akbar. In this battle Shukladhaj captured the entire region of Gour till the banks of the Ganga. He also captured Ghoraghat.
Again in 1562 A.D. crossing river Brahmaputra, Nara Narayan attacked Assam then ruled by Sukhangrafar.Nara Narayan captured Guwahati, Nilachal mountains, Darang, Beltali and other regions. Maharaja Nara Narayan attacked Gour in 1568 A.D. But Karnani's army commander Kalapahar defeated the Behar commander Shukladhaj and occupied lands till Tejpur.
Maharaja Nara Narayan[Rajshak 45-78 || 1554-1587 A.D.] : 3rd Maharaja:
After Viswa Singha, arrangements were going on for the crowning of his eldest son, Nri Singha, as the next king.
After being enthroned Nara Narayan appointed Shukladhaj as the army commander and let Nri Singha to reside at present Panga Pargana of Rangpur district. There Nri Singha led life in divine contemplation. After a few days Sisya Singha Raikat retired and left for Baikunthapur to live the rest of his life. A Brahmin was appointed as new Najir (summoner).
Gourpasha was the king of Gour when Akbar (Mughal emperor) intended to invade Gour. Akbar asked for help from Nara Narayan. He organised army from among local fellowmen and attacked Gour. Shukladhaj was appointed as the commander of that invasion and was also joined by Sisya Singha Raikat.
In Sisya Singha's army there were Rajput and Pathan soldiers. Debraj, king of Bhutan, also joined the attacking alliance with many soldiers. That vast army got divided into groups and attacked Gour. Gourpasha was defeated and the kingdom of Gour got divided between Nara Narayan and Akbar. In this battle Shukladhaj captured the entire region of Gour till the banks of the Ganga. He also captured Ghoraghat.
Again in 1562 A.D. crossing river Brahmaputra, Nara Narayan attacked Assam then ruled by Sukhangrafar.Nara Narayan captured Guwahati, Nilachal mountains, Darang, Beltali and other regions. Maharaja Nara Narayan attacked Gour in 1568 A.D. But Karnani's army commander Kalapahar defeated the Behar commander Shukladhaj and occupied lands till Tejpur.
Later Maharaja Nara Narayan captured Kachhar, Manipur, Jayantia, Srihatta, Khairam, Dimuria and Tripura. In this way he brought a large kingdom under his rule. His empire extended up to Brahmadesh border in the east, Trihut (Mithila) border in the west, Tibet border in the north, and including Ghoraghat & north-eastern regions of Moimansingh district near Chattogram up to the Bay of Bengal in the south.
His Majesty Maharaja Nara Narayan issued currency in his name. Both gold and silver coins bore the inscription of "Mahadev" (written in Devnagari script ) on one side and "Sri Sri Maharaj Nara Narayan" on the other side. He also created state seal bearing lion-symbol. This seal was used in every notices/mandates & every royal letters.
Maharaja Nara Narayan built many broad roadways. Of them 'Gohain Kamal Ali' was the most notable.
Maharaja Nara Narayan was religious. He brought Brahmins from different places including Mithila and gifted them lands/assets ('Brahmattar' belongings) and arranged for their stay permanently in his kingdom.
Maharaja Nara Narayan started 'Durga Puja' (worship of Goddess Durga) in his capital for the first time. That tradition is still followed in Cooch Behar Sadar.
Maharaja Nara Narayan was affectionate towards education. From his childhood he studied Sanskrit and attained special knowledge in Sanskrit Sastras. He was also addressed as 'Vikramaditya' of Kamrup.
Maharaja Nara Narayan divided his kingdom into two parts. He donated the portion to the east of river Sankosh to Shukladhaj and kept the western part under his jurisdiction. This portion was named as 'Nija Behar' (own's Behar). Shukladhaj's portion consisted of east Assam including the land containing the Kamakkha temple along with Bidyagaon.
After ruling for 33 years Maharaja Nara Narayan passed away in 1587 A.D. leaving under the charge of his son Lakshmi Narayan.
Maharaja Lakshmi Narayan[Rajshak78-112 ||1587-1621 A.D.]: 4th Maharaja:
Maharaja Nara Narayan was succeeded by his only son Lakshmi Narayan. He was not brave and skilled in war tactics like his father. Infact he was also a weak administrator. At that time Akbar was the emperor of Delhi. His army commander captured Gour and many surrounding lands under Lakshmi Narayan. Lakshmi Narayan tried to fight back but faced defeated every time. He never participated in wars personally and rest assured only by sending soldiers in battles.
During his period Maharaja Lakshmi Narayan lost regions like east Assam, Tripura and Manipur.
During the next emperor Jahangir, Mughal army again attacked Behar and captured till Ghoraghat. Maharaja Lakshmi Narayan had to travel to Delhi to meet Badsha Jahangir. After exchanging royal gifts, Lakshmi Narayan came to terms with Jahangir that the Mughal will not capture any of Behar's land further and vice versa. Lakshmi Narayan returned from Delhi with few architects. Back home he established his capital at Atharokotha village within Cooch Behar district and built eighteen palaces for his eighteen sons.
Man Singh, army commander of the Delhi Badsha & ruler of Amber, came to Bagua at that time. Maharaja visited him over there and extended friendship with Man Singh. In 1596 A.D. Lakshmi Narayan wed off his sister, Prabhabati Devi, with Man Singh. In due time Maharaja lost two of his sons - Braja Narayan and Bhim Narayan. These sudden demises brought in anguish for Lakshmi Narayan. Thereafter he put up with divine contemplation. He breathed his last in 1627 A.D.
Maharaja Lakshmi Narayan restored the Shiva Temple of Jalpesh. But construction of the temple was left incomplete due to his sudden death.
Maharaja Bir Narayan [Rajshak 112-117 || 1621-1626 A.D.] : 5th Maharaja:
In his short spell of five years, Maharaja Bir Narayan failed to demonstrate skills of a strong administrator. He was not attentive to royal duties and used to live amongst fun & amusement.
On the other hand Maharaja Bir Narayan took keen interest in education.
He was first to open schools in his kingdom. He arranged for imparting education not only to the princes, but also to the children of royal courtiers. He used to inspect the schools personally and examine proper impartation of education.
Under the patronage of Maharaja Bir Narayan scholar Kabisekhar composed "Kirat Parba". This book can still be found at the royal library.
Maharaja Lakshmi Narayan[Rajshak78-112 ||1587-1621 A.D.]: 4th Maharaja:
Maharaja Nara Narayan was succeeded by his only son Lakshmi Narayan. He was not brave and skilled in war tactics like his father. Infact he was also a weak administrator. At that time Akbar was the emperor of Delhi. His army commander captured Gour and many surrounding lands under Lakshmi Narayan. Lakshmi Narayan tried to fight back but faced defeated every time. He never participated in wars personally and rest assured only by sending soldiers in battles.
During his period Maharaja Lakshmi Narayan lost regions like east Assam, Tripura and Manipur.
During the next emperor Jahangir, Mughal army again attacked Behar and captured till Ghoraghat. Maharaja Lakshmi Narayan had to travel to Delhi to meet Badsha Jahangir. After exchanging royal gifts, Lakshmi Narayan came to terms with Jahangir that the Mughal will not capture any of Behar's land further and vice versa. Lakshmi Narayan returned from Delhi with few architects. Back home he established his capital at Atharokotha village within Cooch Behar district and built eighteen palaces for his eighteen sons.
Man Singh, army commander of the Delhi Badsha & ruler of Amber, came to Bagua at that time. Maharaja visited him over there and extended friendship with Man Singh. In 1596 A.D. Lakshmi Narayan wed off his sister, Prabhabati Devi, with Man Singh. In due time Maharaja lost two of his sons - Braja Narayan and Bhim Narayan. These sudden demises brought in anguish for Lakshmi Narayan. Thereafter he put up with divine contemplation. He breathed his last in 1627 A.D.
Maharaja Lakshmi Narayan restored the Shiva Temple of Jalpesh. But construction of the temple was left incomplete due to his sudden death.
Maharaja Bir Narayan [Rajshak 112-117 || 1621-1626 A.D.] : 5th Maharaja:
In his short spell of five years, Maharaja Bir Narayan failed to demonstrate skills of a strong administrator. He was not attentive to royal duties and used to live amongst fun & amusement.
On the other hand Maharaja Bir Narayan took keen interest in education.
He was first to open schools in his kingdom. He arranged for imparting education not only to the princes, but also to the children of royal courtiers. He used to inspect the schools personally and examine proper impartation of education.
Under the patronage of Maharaja Bir Narayan scholar Kabisekhar composed "Kirat Parba". This book can still be found at the royal library.
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