Mythological Origin of the Name ‘Kamarupa’ Assam
- When Sati died of vexation at the discourtesy shown to her husband Shiva by her father Daksha, Shiva wandered around the world carrying her dead body on his head.
- This unbearable penance was stopped by Vishnu by lop-ping away the body piecemeal with his Sudarshana Chakra. Thus, it fell to Earth in 51 different pieces and wherever each piece fell, the ground was held to be sacred.
- Sati’s organs of generation fell on Kamagiri i.e. the Nilachal Hill near Guwahati and the place was thenceforth held sacred to Kamakhya, the Goddess of Sexual desire.
- As Shiva still continued to do penance, the other Gods in fear dispatched Kamadeva, the Cupid God in Hindu traditions, to make Shiva fall in love again and thereby break his penance. Kamadeva succeeded in his mission but so enraged was Shiva at the result that he burnt him (Kamadeva) to ashes through his third eye.
- Kamadeva eventually recovered his original form and the country where this took place came to be known as Kamarupa.
Origin of the Name ‘Assam’
- The term ‘Assam’ emerged around the fifteenth—sixteenth century CE.
- This modern name ‘Assam’ is connected with the Ahoms who entered the Brahmaputra Valley at the beginning of the thirteenth century CE. The Ahom kingdom in subsequent times became the largest kingdom in the northeastern region. Presumably, the term ‘Assam’ was first used in Assamese literature by Srimanta Sankardeva to mean the Ahoms.
- Dr. Banikanta Kakati believes that the term ‘Asama’ may be a later-day Sanskritisation of an earlier form ‘Acham‘. In Tai, the root ‘Chamn‘ means ‘to be vanquished’. With the Assamese prefix ‘A’, ‘Asam’ or ‘Acham’ would mean ‘undefeated’, or ‘victorious’.
Pre-historical Era for Ancient Pragjyotisha Kamarupa Assam
- The political history of ancient Assam (Pragjyotisha Kamarupa) prior to the fourth century CE has never been entirely detailed in any account. However, early Sanskrit literature did make some references to the same which also is contradictory.
- As mentioned above, there are various sources (mythological) that mention the ancient ‘Pragjyotisha Kamarupa’ in various contexts.
- However, no historical evidence about the State, its rulers, and about their rule is available till the time of the Imperial Guptas of north India.
- Therefore, the period prior to the fourth century. CE may be said to be a pre-historical era for ancient Pragjyotisha Kamarupa.
MCQ
According to the article, what is the mythological origin of the name ‘Kamarupa’?
A) It was named after the God Kamadeva who appeared in that region.
B) It was named after the Goddess Kamakhya who was worshipped in that region.
C) It was named after a king named Kamarupa who ruled the region.
D) It was named after the body part of Sati that fell in that region.
Answer: D) It was named after the body part of Sati that fell in that region.
Who entered the Brahmaputra Valley at the beginning of the thirteenth century CE?
A) The Ahoms
B) The Guptas
C) The Cholas
D) The Mughals
Answer: A) The Ahoms
What is the meaning of the term ‘Assam’?
A) Undefeated or victorious
B) Vanquished or defeated
C) Peaceful or serene
D) Abundant or prosperous
Answer: A) Undefeated or victorious
What is the pre-historical era for ancient Pragjyotisha Kamarupa according to the article?
A) Before the seventh century CE
B) Before the fourth century CE
C) Before the tenth century CE
D) Before the twelfth century CE
Answer: B) Before the fourth century CE