New Lights on the History of Assam
By Nalini Kanta Bhattasali
Summary
Bhattasali's study in “New Lights on the History of Assam” reconstructs the chronology and political history of Kamarupa (medieval Assam) during roughly 1150–1250 A.D. After the extinction of the Pusyavarman line, the province witnessed a century of anarchy which ended with the election of Brahmapala from the neighbouring province of Assam. Brahmapala was a scion of the Pusya dynasty of Puyavarma but was elected by the people to the throne of Pragjyotisha. His son Ratnapala regained control of Kamarupa, and his copper-plate grants narrate how the old dynasty of Kamarupa was ousted by the Mlechcha Salastambha line and how Brahmapala’s line was restored by the people. Bhattasali reconstructs the genealogy of this dynasty: Brahmapala, his son Ratnapala, grandson Purandarpala (who died before he came to the throne), Indrapala, Gopala, Harjapāla, Dharmapāla and others. He uses inscriptions such as the Tejpur rock inscription of the 15th king Harjaravarman, which contains a date of 510 in the Gupta era (equivalent to 830 A.D.), to anchor the chronology. By comparing copper-plate inscriptions of Banamalavarman and other kings, he argues that the dynasty ruled for roughly 300 years from about 700 A.D. to 1000 A.D. The article notes that the chronology is difficult to reconstruct because some kings are known only from copper-plate charters, but the combined evidence suggests that the Pala dynasty of Assam lasted until about 1222 A.D. Bhattasali also discusses the interplay between Assam and Bengal; he notes that the voice of the people helped oust the usurper Salastambha line and that similar popular sentiments were later seen in neighbouring Bengal with the election of the independent king Gopala. The article emphasises the role of local resistance and the “first defenders of Assam’s freedom” who prevented assimilation into larger empires, and it draws parallels with other regional histories, suggesting a shared political culture in eastern India. He concludes by calling for further research on inscriptions and genealogical lists to clarify remaining uncertainties in the chronology.
Conclusion
Bhattasali’s careful reading of copper-plate grants and inscriptions sheds new light on the poorly understood succession of Kamarupa kings. By aligning dates from the Gupta era with local dynastic records, he reconstructs a plausible chronology for the Pala rulers of Assam and shows how popular sentiment and regional autonomy shaped political transitions. His study underscores the need to use epigraphic evidence to understand eastern India’s medieval history and demonstrates that Assam’s rulers were active agents who defended their independence against outside powers. The article invites scholars to revisit local sources to fill gaps in the region’s historical narrative.