240 
H. Blochmann —Geography and History of Bengal. [No. 3, 
Kamata, or Kamatapur, lay on the eastern bank of the Darla river, which 
flows south-west of the town of Koch Bihar, and joins the Brahmaputra 
near Bagwah. The river near its confluence with the Brahmaputra, sepa¬ 
rates mahall Bhitarband from Bahirband. The town itself and the Darla 
river are correctly marked on the old maps. Buchanan estimated the circum¬ 
ference of Kamatapur at nineteen miles ; the palace, as in the case of Bur¬ 
mese and Chinese towns, stands in the centre. History informs us that 
Kamata was invaded, about 1498 A. D., by Husain Shah, and legends state 
that the town was destroyed and Nilamba, the last Kamata Rajah, was 
taken prisoner. He escaped, however, and disappeared ; but people believe 
that at some time in future he will be restored. 
The Kamata family was succeeded by the Koch djmasty, to which the 
present Maharaja of Koch Bihar belongs. The new Rajas secured their 
possessions by erecting along the boundary a line of fortifications, many of 
which are still in excellent preservation. 
The prevalence of human sacrifices in Koch Bihar is known from the 
Ain. The Haft Iqlim has the following : “ There is a cave in this country, 
which, according to the belief of the people, is the residence of a Deo. The 
name of the Deo is Ai, and the people are zealous in their worship. Once 
a year they have a feast, when they kill all sorts of animals found in 
the country, believing that the meritoriousness of the slaughter comes from 
Ai. They likewise kill on the same day the Bhogis, who are a class of men 
that have devoted their lives to Ai, saying that Ai has called them. From 
the time they become Bhogis, they may do what they like ; every woman 
is at their command, hut after one year they are killed.” 
The first European traveller that visited I£och Bihar was Ralph Fitch, 
tie says: “ I went from Bengala into the country of Couche or Quicheu, 
which lies 25 days’journey northwards from Tanda. The king is a Gentile ; 
his name is Suckel Counse f his country is great and lieth not far from 
Cauchin China : for they say they have pepper from thence. The port is 
called Cacchegate.f All the country is set with bamboos or canes made 
sharp at both endes and driven into the earth, and they can let in the water 
and drown the ground above knee deep, so that men nor horses can pass. 
They poison all the waters if any wars he. Here they have much silk and 
musk and cloth made of cotton. The people have ears which he marvelous 
great, of a span long, which they draw out in length by devises when they 
be young. There they he all Gentiles, and they will kill nothing. They have 
* Sliukl Gosafn ; vide my essay on Kocli Bihar and Asam, Journal, As. Soc. Beno- a l 
1872, Part I, p. 53. 
f I. e. the place where the merchants from China meet. Caccliegate is C h i c li a- 
k o t a, north of the town of Koch Bihar and south of Baksa Fort, Long. 89° 35' in the 
Bengal Duars. It is now British. 
