The Rajbanshi, also Rajbongshi and Koch-Rajbongshi, are peoples from Lower Assam, North Bengal, eastern Bihar, Terai region of eastern Nepal, Rangpur division of North Bangladesh and Bhutan who have in the past sought an association with the Koch dynasty. Today, they speak various Indo-Aryan languages, though in the past they might have spoken Tibeto-Burman languages. The community is categorized as OBC in Assam, SC in West Bengal, and ST in Meghalaya. They are the largest Scheduled Caste community of West Bengal. In 2020, Kamatapur Autonomous Council has been created for socio-economic development and political rights of Koch-Rajbongshi community. They are related to the ethnic Koch people found in Meghalaya but are distinguished from them as well as from the Hindu caste called Koch in Upper Assam that receives converts from different tribes. Rajbanshi (of royal lineage) alludes to the community's claimed connection with the Koch dynasty.
Koch, also called Rajbanshi, ethnic group dispersed over parts of India (mainly Assam and West Bengal states) and Bangladesh. While their original language is a Tibeto-Burmandialect, large sections of the group in the 21st century spoke Bengali or other Indo-Aryan languages. In the 16th century a Koch chief established the state of Koch Bihar, and they now call themselves Rajbanshi (“Of Royal Blood”), resent being called by the old tribal name, and follow Hindu customs. But their claim to the high status of the Kshatriya class of Hindus is not generally admitted, and many of the endogamous subdivisions rank very low in the Hindu castehierarchy. The caste is mainly agricultural, but there are also Rajbanshi carpenters, blacksmiths, and traders. Some sections of the group are less Hinduized than others, and there are considerable variations in customs and status.
In the 15th century the Koch’s chief future homeland had been held by Khen kings, but early in the 16th century Koch Bihar became the centre of the kingdom of the Koch king Biswa Singh, invading from northeastern Bengal. The greatest monarch of the dynasty was Naranarayan, the son of Biswa Singh, who extended his power over a large part of Assam and southward over what became the British district of Rangpur. His son became tributary to the Mughal Empire. In 1772 the country was invaded by the Bhutanese, and an appeal for assistance was made to the British governor Warren Hastings. A detachment of sepoys drove out all the Bhutanese, who were forced to sue for peace through the mediation of the Tashi Lama of Tibet. By the resulting treaty the raja acknowledged subjection to the East India Company and made over to it one-half of his annual revenues.
Rajbanshi community is found in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. They are residing in the eastern region of Nepal. Rajbanshi is derived from Aryan and is also said to be from the royal race. Rajbanshi is also known as Koch. According to old times, their major occupation was agriculture. And still maximum of them are in farming and rest are involved in other works. Their tradition is of agriculture, dance, music, medical practices, song, the building of house, culture, and language. As they are more into cultivation they cultivate rice, pulses, and maize. They also eat rice and cereals more and prefer other vegetables especially fried potatoes. Though urbanization rising day by day they still follow a rural lifestyle. They preferably consume stale rice or Pantha bhāt. They are non-vegeterains so they consume a huge amount of meat. They eat goat meat and sheep meat too.
In the face of cheaper alternatives flooding the market, women from the Rajbanshi ethnic group in West Bengal, India have been fighting to keep an ancient weaving tradition alive. Jute, one of India's most important crops, is used by these women to create floor and prayer mats . Sanjita Sarkar learned the craft when she was 12 and now uses a traditional loom made of bamboo and wood inherited from her mother-in-law to create intricate designs that take days to complete. Weaving has been a task reserved for women in the Rajbanshi tribe, who mainly make a living from farming. While many women split their time between farming, household chores, and weaving, women like Sanjita are dedicated to preserving the craft and improving their skills. She sells her mats for around $5 and uses the proceeds to pay for her children's education. But with the handloom industry losing millions of artisans over the years, the future of this tradition remains uncertain. Despite the challenges, the Rajbanshi women remain steadfast in their efforts to keep the craft still standing.
The ‘Rajbongshi’ term was first used instead of Koch mainly in the later-half of 1800’s. Such developments mainly took place in Bengal region when the Koch people came in contact with the Caste Hindu Society. The reason behind such a move was that the so called ‘Bengali Bhadraloks’(Upper Caste) considered the Koches to be of Lower Caste. The Koches belonging to a royal and princely linage could not accept themselves being placed lowest in the Hindu Caste system by the Bengali Bhadaloks. Thus, a process of Sanskritization began among the Koches to find a respectable place in the Hindu hierarchical social order. The term Rajbongshi came to be used more fluidly instead of Koch to show direct linkage with the princely class (Rajbongshi- Rajar Bongsho). Also, the original term Koch passed through more 3 distinct identities in different censuses in North Bengal- Rajbongshi to Bratya Kshatriya (1891), Bratya Kshatriya to Kshatriya Rajbongshi (1911, 1921) and Kshatriya Rajbongshi to only Kshatriya (1931). The process of sanskritization by the Koches reached its peak under the Kshatriyazation Movement led by Panchanan Barma(1866-1935) in Bengal. The objective of the movement was to prove the Rajbanshis were Kshatriyas with a royal lineage and not Sudras as regarded by the Bengali Bhadraloks. In support of this claim the movement involved a ceremonial kshatriyaization process – brahminical rituals were performed to convert thousands of Rajbanshis to ‘Kshatriya Rajbanshi’ in the villages of North Bengal. Panchanan Barma’s movement was so influential in Bengal that the usage of the original term Koch almost vanished from the region.
Rajbanshi is an ethnic group found in North Bengal and neighbouring areas. Now the question is whether the Rajbanshis are tribe, clan, race, community or caste. Rajbanshis are a bit shy in nature and not always ready to reveal their all about to others. The word " Rajbanshis " literally means "royal community". They have a rich cultural heritage and their own language. Koch and Rajbanshis are actually two different tribes but united by the great king into one and hence named as KochRajbanshis. They have a very strong history but a shaky present, and this is because of the lack of unity among these tribesmen that they have ceased to flourish in today's world. According to Sanyal (1965), these rulers typically of Kashyapa-Bratya Kshattriya combination have now turned down to the status of simply agriculturists and in northern West Bengal and its adjoining areas and developed themselves as the Rajbanshis. These people allied over various tribe and caste groups have gradually transformed from a simple community to a huge complex heterogeneous Social Fold. The latter has been incorporated with various aspects like Animism, pre-Aryan and Aryan versions of Hinduism, various mythical elements, Buddhism, Tantraism, Kashyap/ Bratya-Kshattriya combination, quasi-egalitarian versions (Sufism and Vaishnavism), status mobilization (Kshattriyaization/ approximately started from the date of Rajput-Mogul interference on Coochbihar state) and Western impact on local economy and polity (during rule of British and their Native Collaborators). There are different kinds of Rajbanshis such as Koch Rajbabshi, Poundra Rajbabshi, Mech Rajbabshi, Newar Rajbanshi, Thakuri Rajbanshi and Khataha Rajbanshi.
Whether folktales can enhance the cultural and regional backdrop of the Rajbanshis, there lies the question. Pluralism or multiculturalism has been playing a decisive role in the functioning of modern states throughout the world. In case of India, cultural or tribal or communal consciousness has risen mainly in post-independence era. The Rajbanshi community, one of the major ethnic groups of North Bengal, came up with the Kamtapur Movement to fight for their identity and a formal recognition in the society. Social Reform is a kind of social movement that aims to make gradual change, or change in certain aspects of society, rather than rapid or fundamental one. The folk literature was spread through the rural culture of the Rajbanshi community. Folk-culture is one of the main elements of folk-literature. Folk literature is thus a verbal art or expressive literature, spoken, sung and refers to the oral customs, traditions, and culture of a group of people. There are a lot of literary sources that are hiding amidst folklores. The Rajbanshis, the Rabhas, the Totos and many more tribes were losing their identity. Amongst them, The Rajbanshis led the Kamtapur Movement to be identified amongst all. Folklore was used as an instrument and was the sole medium to make this social reform movement bring in certain changes and help the community to move forward to rediscover their identity; the Rajbanshis, thus, made a march towards success.
The Rajbanshi Tribe living in Duars region in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal are very rich in their traditional knowledge. Present article recorded the traditional food prepared by them. There is wide variation in food types, taste and ingredients. While some minor ingredients are procured from the market, major plant materials are generally collected from the surrounding vegetation. The new generations of Rajbanshis are, however, gradually loosing taste for their traditional food. Procured data has been presented in the tabular form.
The Koch Rajbanshis are one of the largest plain tribe of India originally from the ancient KamrupaKamata kingdom. The Koch dynasty came into existence in the first half of sixteenth century. Under
Naranarayan it reached to a position of glory but in course of time the hay days of them did not last
long. Although they had a glorious past, but like many other tribes of India Koch Rajbanshis also have
been facing identical problem for a long time due to lack of proper knowledge of their history, external
threats, partitions, multi-divisions; colonial interference, elitism, conservative demeanor, geographical
alienation, negligence of the governments, multi-names etc. At present they have been striving for
protecting their identity through different associations and organisations. Their efforts now have turned
into the form of Kshatriya Movement and the Kamatapur Movement. This paper attempts to analyse the
deteriorated identical condition of the Koch Rajbanshi people and their measures to protect it.
Owing to their origins in Tibet, the earlier forms of the Masan paintings greatly resembled the famous Thangka paintings of Tibet, but as the art style travelled with the worship of the demigods throughout the eastern region of the Indian subcontinent via the silk road and other trade routes, it grew into what could be called an Indianised form of Thangka paintings. Today, Masan paintings are primarily made in the North eastern regions of India, the epicentre of the craft being West Bengal. It is also widely made in Bangladesh. Since the Indianisation of the Masan religion and paintings, they have primarily been made by the Rajbanshi tribe that is, today, widespread in Bengal. This is the only tribe still practising the worship of the Masan Devtas, and this culture is dwindling even amongst them today.
The Rajbansi are one of many different ethnic groups who live in the small, mountainous country of Nepal. Their almost forgotten, rugged land lies sheltered at the foot of the Himalayan Mountains, sandwiched between India to the south and Tibet to the north. Most live in India and the eastern section of the Jhapa District and in the adjoining Morang District of Nepal. The Rajbansi are a dark-skinned people of medium height who have been described as tough. Their language is also called Rajbansi and is similar to that of the Bengali of West Bengal. Many of the younger generation are bilingual in Nepali, Nepal's official language, but older Rajbansi only speak their native language. The Rajbansi migrated to Nepal approximately 300 years ago, and although their origins are unclear, they may be related to the Koche of India. One legend says they are the descendents of the children of a Bengali man and an Arakan woman. Other legends declare them to be an ancient people descended from the Dravidian race who lived in southern India.
Koch Rajbongshi means community of the Koch King Biswa Singha. They were the follower of King Biswa Singha. Thus how they are conferred as Koch Rajbongshi, Koch means community, Raj signifies King Biswa Singha, and Bongshi means community of the King. Which means Koch followers of the Koch King Biswa Singha’s community (i. e) Koch Rajbongshi. We were Koch, we are Koch and we will be Koch. Since our fore father is Koch and our Great King and founder of Koch Rajbongshi was King Biswa Singha. So here by only selected or by voluntarily Koch community followed Biswa Singha the founder King (Raja) and all the Koch follower of him had been termed as Koch Rajbongshi or Rajbongshi, Rajbongshi means Rajar Jati, that means Koch. Raj signifies Biswa Singha only, Bongshi signifies His community, who followed him to differentiate from those who denied to follow His Majesty Maharaja Biswa Singha. The mighty Koch Rajbongshi King and founder of Koch Dynasty. 100% We are Koch but we are follower of our Koch King and leader Maharaja Biswa Singha.
Koches around the world are known by various names and styles which are synonyms to each other and means the same tribe. Koch tribe might have got divided because of the geographical boundaries but they are united as one of the international tribes because of their rich history and culture. They are known as Koch Rajbongshi in the present state of Assam, Rajbongshi in the state of West Bengal, Koch in parts of Meghalaya and Rajbanshi in Nepal. Koch Rajbongshi tribe (Koch) is an inhabitant of various Nations which includes India (Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, and Meghalaya), Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. The Rajbanshi (Koch) of Nepal is officially designated as ‘Adivasi’. Koch (Koch Rajbongshi) is considered one of the international tribes because of its presence in various Nations of South Asia. The primary livelihood of the Tribe is agriculture and farming, they live very close to nature because of the fact that primitively they were ‘Animist’ and the same significance is still prevailing among the tribe. Koch are the Ab-Origin and son of the soil and they are Tribal by birth, Koch Rajbongshis’ of Assam consider themselves as Tribal and inclusion in Schedule Tribe (ST) Plains of Koch (Koch Rajbongshi) of Assam is one of the basic rights which they deserve, Koch (Koch Rajbongshi) had been raising their birthright demand to be included under ST since 1967 and no permanent solution have been settled yet so far.
The Rajbanshi is also called Koch Rajbanshi or Koch Rajbongshi. They have rich social and cultural heritage. The abode of Koch Rajbanshi is Kamatapur or Kamtapur. Their language is Kamtapuri language. The other name of Kamtapuri language is Rajbanshi or Rangpuri (present day Bangladesh) or Goalparia (district of Assam). The present day North Bengal, Rangpur and Goalpara of Assam all these areas were included in historical Kamatapur kingdom or Kamatapur state. Koch Rajbanshis are also present in Jhapa, Biratnagar, Kochila district of Nepal. 5th April, 1773 free Coochbehar state (Core area of vast Kamatapur state) undergone British rule with a treaty and became a princely state. In 1947, during freedom of India Coochbehar merged with Indian dominion and in 1950 Coochbehar state had been converted to district of West Bengal. Koch and Rajbanshi is same and origin is Koch, modern name is rajbanshi. So Kochrajbanshi is best terminology for these people. Because so many Tior Rajbanshi, Kaibarta Rajbanshi, Poundra Rajbanshi entered into Rajbanshi list but their language and culture is not similar with Kochrajbanshi of historical Kamatapur area at large.
The Rajbanshi of the northern districts of West Bengal repudiated their tribal ancestry and Sanskritized many of their social customs to conform to their professed Hindu caste identity. Nevertheless, certain cultural traits, including their Sacred Groves and associated non-Brahminical rituals seem to link to their tribal past. The Rajbanshi Sacred Groves are distinctive in their exclusive composition of the yellow bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris var. straiata), whose distribution appears to be currently restricted to the Rajbanshi hamlets of Jalpaiguri district. The Kamtapuri movement, which demands constitutional recognition of their language and cultures, and a separate Statehood for the Rajbanshi, seeks to redefine their ethnic identity and cultural-political rights. Yet, this movement fails to take in it
The ethnically one, Rajbanshi group, one of the most tolerant indigenous people of strategically located areas in whole of North Bengal(barring its hilly terrains); in a sizable portion of Assam; western part of Meghalaya; Purnia, Kishanganj districts and eastern part of Katihar district of Bihar; Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari districts of Nepal; Rangpur, East Dinajpur districts and some parts of north west Mymensingh, northern Rajshahi and Bogra districts of Bangladesh and lower parts of Bhutan where these indigenous people ordinarily reside from time immemorial. They are known as Koch-Rajbongshi in Assam, Rajbanshi Kshatriya, Palia, Surjapuria in North Bengal and Bihar; Rajbanshi/Koch Rajbanshi/Tajpuria in Nepal and Koch-Rajbongshi in Meghalaya and their adjoining areas. Rajbanshi Muslims are integral part of these communities because of the one language and one culture. They are victims of identity crisis, domination by mainstream people and division of their homelands. Today they form majority population in rural areas as they have been displaced from urban areas. Since their mother tongue is officially not recognized, on record they have been identified by the mainstream language of the state.
Koch Rajbongshi is an ancient tribe originally from the ancient Koch kingdom. The Rajbongshi tribe is referred to as Koch Rajbongshi, or Rajbanshi, or Rajvanshi. The word "Rajbongshi" literally means "royal community". They have a rich cultural heritage and their own language. The homelands of this ancient tribe include West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and various North Eastern parts of India. The Great Kamatapur was divided into Bangladesh, West Bengal, Assam, Nepal, Meghalaya, Tripura, Bihar and Bhutan, during the British rule and after the independence of India. A large number of Rajbongshi people now live in North Bengal, West Assam, Meghalaya, Bangladesh and Nepal. A large number of political and non-political organizations of this community have been formed in West Bengal and Assam. Most prominent among them are Kamatapur People's Party, Greater Coochbehar Demanding Committee, All Koch Rajbonshi Students Union and Koch Rajbonshi Sanmilani, and these groups are demanding a separate Kamatapur state consisting of North Bengal and West Assam. Kamatapur Liberation Organization is an armed militant outfit of the Rajbonshi community, and it is demanding independent Kamatapur State to bring back its past glory. Because of migration, this community can be found in various parts of India and other parts of the world.
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