THE GREAT DIMASA KINGDOM

The Great Dimasa Kingdom

Once the Dimaraja sings “If paternal working skill not abandoned, Golden days would return. If maternal weaving skill not abandoned, Silvery nights would return.” Dimaraja, the Ruler of the Kachari Kingdom establised their Kingdom in the earliest of the 7^th Century. As per Archaeological Survey of India's description, the Kacharis, an ancient tribe established their fortified capital on the banks of Dhansiri River around 10th century A.D. at Dimapur. A powerful group known as Dimasa was the ruling clan of the Kachari Kingdom. Dimarajas established their Capital city at Kasomari, Dimapur, Maibang and Khaspur. The Dimasa Capital city is now a memorable and worth visiting place.

The Kasomari Pathar: Many remarkable stone monoliths at Kasomari pathar on the Daiyang river in Golaghat district Assam, bears the triumphant victory in the battles many times by Dimasa King from the 13th century. The Kasomari Pathar Monoliths are a group of thirty three stone monoliths now arranged in two north-south rows. The front row contains eighteen monoliths and the back row with fifteen monoliths. Thirty two of the monoliths are like huge chisels with their sharp cutting edge pointing towards the sky. They are rectangular and elongated stone artefact's of 15 feet above the ground.

Dimapur- City of Dimasas: According to a Dimasas tradition, the Multi bamboos flowered once after ever fifty years and during the region of the Dimarajas at Dimapur these flowered nine times. These means that Dimarajas had ruled for 450 years at Dimapur. The Kachari Rajbari was built by Raja Chakradhaj, the fourth king of Kacharis . The Dimasa Traditional dance “Bai-maijai”, was first performed to welcome Sengyah Dehmalu Kemprai at Rajbari Ghat, Dimapur. Dimapur, the city of Dimasas was surrounded on the three sides by a brick wall of nearly two miles (3.2 km) while the fourth southern side was bounded by the Dhansiri river . On eastern side, was a fine solid brick gateway with a pointed arch and stones pierced to receive the hinges of double heavy doors. Inside the Rajbari, there stands remarkable monoliths in four rows, sixteen in each rows, those at the ends being 10-12 feets and the centre four being 15-17 feets. The Rajbari is shaped like chess board with rows of gigantic chess pawns. The stones are carved with representation of birds like duck and peacock, animals likes elephants , deers, dogs etc., flowers, spear heads , and other motifs. There are several Ancient Royal tanks built by the Dimasa Raja named as Podum, Bangle, Bamun, Raj, Jor, Boro Hali, Panchgram, Tulaipang and Siberbond. Dimaraja Kharnai (above 100 sq metres) at Sibnagar Vill, Dhansiri is the largest Royal tank built by Dimaraja .

One Stone House of Maibang: Maibang, a beautiful hill station in Dima Hasau Dist on the bank of Mahur river was once the capital of Dimasa kingdom. Maibang symbloizes “Plenty of Rice” is a Dimasa term. After Dimapur, Maibang was the Capital of Dimaraja. The “Longthai ni Noh” known as Stone house was erected at Maibang by Raja Harish Chandra Hasnusa in the 16th century. Stone inscription was installed at capital gate of Maibang by Raja Meghanarayan Hasnusa and statue of Horse is a worthable. It is believed that when Dimasa were invaded by Koches. One night, Goddess came to Dimasa’s king dream. King requested Goddess to give him power so he could save his kingdom. The Goddess asked Dimasa king to build a stone house, inside which he will find a weapon to defeat the Koches. But a condition was kept by the Goddess, according to which the house should be built in a single night by a single piece of stone. Some stories even say the King carried that huge stone on his back from top of a mountain to Mahur river. He started building the house but before sunrise cock crowned. King felt, he failed the condition put by the Goddess and left the house in disappointment. The Stone house has cuttings for window and gate with rock filled in it.

Khaspur- The Last Dimasa Kingdom: There are many historical monuments of the Dimasa kingdom found in the Barak Valley of Assam. The Khaspur Capital Complex, the Siva temple, The Goddess Ranachandi Temple, The Lord Vishnu Temple, A Royal Gate of Dimasa Kingdom called as Elephant Pass Gate and Barodowar, A Royal Palace of Dimasa Raja were built in 18^th Century by Dimarajas. Adikali Mandir: The oldest Kali mandir in Barak Valley dating back to 1707 A. D., was built by the queen of the Dimasa Raja Krishnachandra Dhaj Narayan. The Sonai Bhubaneswar Siva Temple at Sonai Siva Tilla Chandragiri Peak was built by the Dimasa king Krishnachandra Dhaj Narayan in 1787A.D. Every year the Dimasa-Kachari people throng there to worship the Lord Siva called Bhubaneswar travelling the peak of 3000 ft. above sea level. Some of the Kachari Temples of Cachar built by Dimasa Kings are Goddess Dashabhuja, The Kachakantibari Temple, The Nirmata Temple, Madan Mohan Temple and Shyamabari at Thaligram, Khaspur. Forts at Badarpur ghat previously under Haritikar and Pratapgarh at Patherkandi is the fort were treaty between the king Govindachandra Narayan and David Scott, the first commissioner of Assam was signed in 1824 A.D. known as "Treaty of Badarpur". Haritikar, Rajartilla, is the site where the Raja Govindachandra Dhaj Narayan, the last king of Dimasa kingdom was assassinated in 1830 A. D and the princely state of Dimasas was annexed to the British Rule in 1832 A.D.

History promotes patriotism and enhances responsible citizenship. Let’s learn to embrace our history, learn from the mistakes our ancestors made, appreciate their achievements and have fun while discovering more. Remember the Dimaraja's song “ Do not learn the way Assamese eat, Do not learn the way Fisherman dress. Will eat the fathers’ way, Will dress the mothers’ way.”