2 History of Cooch Behdr. [Jan, 



where Lakhya river separates from the Brohmoputro, and there it is 

 bounded by the country called Bunggo. Kamrup according to this de- 

 scription includes a portion of Moymunsing (north part of Dacca R.) 

 and of Srihotto ( Silhet B.J together with Monipur, Jaintiya, Kachar* 

 and Assam. 



The earliest tradition concerning the history of Kamrup is that it was 

 given by Krishno to Norak, the son of the earth, (Prithivi.J This 

 Norok, although an infidel (osur) was for some time a favorite of the 

 god, who appointed him guardian (divarpal) of the temple of Kamakhya 

 (granter of pleasure) who naturally presided over the region of desire, 

 (Kamrup). This deity is by the Hindus considered as female, and her 

 temple situated near Gohati, the place where Norok resided, is still 

 much frequented. 



Kamrup is said to have been then divided into four peths or portions* 

 which may naturally be expected to have appellations suitable to its name 

 and tutelary deity. They are accordingly called Kam, Rotno> Moni and 

 Yoni peths) alluding to desire, beauty and some circumstances not un. 

 connected with these qualities, which our customs do not admit to be 

 mentioned with the plainness that is allowed in the sacred languages of 

 the east. In fact the country by the natives is considered as the prin- 

 cipal seat of amorous delight, and a great indulgence is considered as 

 allowable. I have not learned the boundaries of these divisions, but am 

 told that Rotno Peih is the country now called Vihar. 



Norok did not long merit the favor of Krishno, being a great op- 

 pressor and a worshipper of the rival god Sib. He was put to death, 

 and was succeeded by his son Bhoggodatto. At the time of the wars 

 which are said to have placed Yudhishther on the throne of India, the 

 prince engaged in the great contest on the losing side, and followed the 

 fortunes of Duryodhon. There can be little doubt that this is the 

 same person with the Bhugrut of Mr. Gladwin's translation of the 

 Ayeen Akbery, " who came to the assistance of Jirjoodhun, and gal- 

 tantly fell in the war of the Mahabharut? By Abul Fazil this prince 

 is said to have been of the Khyetri ( KhyotrioJ caste, and this is sup- 

 ported by the opinion of the brahmans ; but here a considerable diffi- 

 culty occurs ; for it is generally allowed, that Bhoggodatto was the 

 son of Norok, who was not a Hindu. We shall, however, soon see that 

 in Kamrup many other personages have been adopted into the princely 

 race, whose claims to a Hindu descent are at best exceedingly doubtful. 



Bhoggodatto is said to have usually resided at Goivahati. The 

 king of Kamrup is said occasionally to have fled from the bustle and 

 cares of his capital, and to have sought the pleasures of retirement 





