Koch people


Koches are a Tibeto-Burman ethno-linguistic group of Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal and Bangladesh. Koches are a trans-border community, like the Garos and the Khasis. They live in separate countries which were carved out of their ancestral lands. It is a Scheduled tribe in Meghalaya, India. Koch language belong to Tibeto-Burman linguistic group. Koches want to preserve language and culture and heritage.

Etymology of ''Koch''

According to Yogini Tantra, Koches were called as Kuvacha. According to Tabaqat-i-Nasiri, Kamrud was inhabited by Koch, Mech & Tharu. According to Fatiyah-i-Ibriah, Cooch behar was inhabited Koch Although some Koch & Mech called themselves as Koch Rajbongshi in Cooch Behar,Jalpaiguri,Derjiling,Uttar Dinajpur,Murshidabad and Undivided Goalpara District of Assam. But they are different from Rajbongshi people related to Aryan affinities.

Koch

Koch name was already in use since 13th century but Koch name had barbaric flavour which induced many people to prefer the designation “Rajbongshi” means “of the royal clan” in 20th century.

History

A big part of Koch history is that of Koch dynasty. Koch Hajo was a Bhuyan who had two daughter Hira and Jira. Hajo was popular figure worshiped by Bodo people. Hira and Jira married to Hariya of Mech. Jira gave birth to Chandan and Madan, and Hira gave birth to Bishu and Sishu. Bishu was the bravest and smartest. Who was the progenitor of Narayana dynasty of Cooch Behar.