1838.1 History of Cooch Behdr. 13 



however, prudently retained the sovereignty of the whole, and lived at 

 Gilajhar on the west side of the Godadhor where the only remains to 

 be seen, although the place is also called Atharo Kotha, or eighteen 

 castles, clearly evince the small improvement which his people had made 

 in the arts ; but his court seems to have nourished in learning, and 700 

 brahmans are said to have resided at his capital. 



When Abul Fazil composed the Ay in Akbery, the sub-division 

 of the kingdom of Vis wo Singho was not known at Delhi; although in 

 all probability it had recently taken place. From prudential motives it 

 had perhaps been carefully concealed, and the two branches of the family 

 lived in an amity that was absolutely necessary for their safety. Abul 

 Fazil says that " north from Bengal is the province of Cooch (Koch J 

 the chief of which commands 1000 horse and 100,000 foot (the usual 

 oriental exaggeration). Kamrup, which is also called Kamtah ( Koraota 

 the old capital) makes a part of his dominion." Soon after this, how- 

 ever it is said, that the Muhammadan governor of Dhaka discovered 

 the real state of affairs, and became very urgent with Porikhyit for 

 tribute. The raja being afraid did not absolutely refuse to comply, but 

 in order to procure favorable terms was advised to undertake a journey 

 to Agra, where he was kindly received, and procured an order from the 

 king, directing the governor to take whatever tribute the raja chose to 

 offer. On returning to Dacca, the raja who was totally ignorant of hu- 

 man affairs, and of the immensity of the sum offered 20,000,000 of ru- 

 pees and returned to his capital highly satisfied with his conduct. When 

 his minister (Patro) explained to him the nature of the promise which 

 he had made, the poor raja was thrown into consternation, and again set 

 out for Agra, taking his minister with him, in order to avoid such mis- 

 takes. Unfortunately he died by the way and the Moslems, in the mean 

 time, took possession of the country, in order to recover the money that 

 had been promised*. The minister proceeded to court, where after some 

 trouble he was appointed kanungoe or register of the country, which 

 was divided into four sirkars. Uttro Kul or Dhengkiri north of the 

 Brohmoputro, Dokhin Kul south of the same, Benggalbhumi west of 

 the Brohmoputro, and Kamrup proper called so as containing Gohati, 

 the most ancient capital of the country. The brother of Porikhyit 

 was confirmed in his government of Borong, and Chondro Narayon, 

 the son of the unfortunate raja, received very large estates which his 

 descendants still retain as subjects. These I shall afterwards have occa- 

 sion to mention. Large estates were also given to the new kanungoe 

 from whose family papers these accounts are taken. 



* Porikhyit's descendants are the rajas of Bijnse according to the records of 

 the Durrang family. 



