1893.] 
291 
E. A. G-ait — The Koch Kings of Kdmarupa. 
said that the Musalmans had destroyed the old stone temple, and as it was 
now the Kali Yuga, the new one should be constructed of bricks. The 
brick temple, was constructed in six months, and then Kara Narayana 
consecrated it with numerous sacrifices, including 140 men, whose beads 
he offered to the goddess on copperplates* He made a grant of land 
for the maintenance of the shrine, and gave away alms to the extent of 
Rs. 25,000. He also caused a statue of himself to be made and placed 
within the temple.f At this time he caused roads, monasteries and 
tanks to be constructed, and trees to be planted. Under his auspices 
the S'astras were published and the Ratnamala was composed, and even 
the common people were made to study religious books. S'aktism was 
the State religion, but Vaishnavism was more than tolerated, and great 
honour was done to S'aiikara Deva, Deva Damodara., and other Vaishnava 
divines. The country enjoyed a period of peace and religion, and trade 
throve exceedingly. 
Two years later, the Gaur Pasha’s mother died, and Kara Narayana 
then combined with Akbar to attack him. Silardi invaded his kingdom 
with an army from the east, while Raja Man Singh, who was in com- 
mand of the Imperial army, advanced upon him from the west. 
The ruler of Gaur being thus attacked from two sides at the same 
time was easily defeated, and his kingdom was then divided between 
the Koch king and the Emperor of Delhi. The Pasha himself fled to 
the country of the Feringhis, 
While engaged on this expedition, news came from the capital that 
a son had been born to Silarai.J The latter, however, was destined never 
to see him. He was attacked by small-pox and died on the banks of the 
Ganges, after enjoining his brother Nara Narayana to take care of his boy. 
Kara Narayana performed the funeral ceremonies with great pomp, and 
at the conclusion sacrificed a bull. 
After Silarai’s death, a long period of peace ensued, during which 
the people enjoyed great prosperity, while Kara Narayana gave such 
encouragement to religion that he became known as “ the pious king. ” 
* The offering of human sacrifices was by no means uncommon among the 
S'aktas of former times. Similar sacrifices were frequently offered at Sadiya, and 
at Beltola in Kamrup, and it was the abduction of four British subjects for this 
purpose which led to the annexation of Jaintiii in 1835. 
t Two statues, said to represent Nara Narayana and Silarai, are still to be seen 
within the temple. An older figure carved in the rock on the road leading up to 
it is said to represent Naraka, the first-recorded guardian of theshrine. 
J It is related that in honour of this event grants of Brahmottar land were 
made in the village of Chinakona ( in the Mangaldai sub-division. ) This grant still 
exists. 
