The fragmentation of the Koch Kingdom after the death of Nara Narayan led to the emergence of multiple sub-kingdoms, each ruled by members of the Koch royal lineage. These sub-states played vital roles in regional politics, maintaining semi-independent status under Mughal or later British influence.
Rulers of Undivided Koch Kingdom
The undivided Koch kingdom was established by Viswa Singha and expanded under his son Nara Narayan.
Key rulers:
Viswa Singha (c. 1515–1540) – Founder; united Baro-Bhuyans and laid the foundation of Koch political power.
Nara Narayan (1540–1587) – Zenith of Koch power; expanded territory from Western Assam to North Bengal.
Chilarai (Shukladhwaj) – Brother of Nara Narayan; brilliant general who led military expeditions.
🔑 The united Koch state was known for military expansion, Hindu patronage, and state-building.
Rulers of Koch Hajo
Koch Hajo was formed by Raghudev, the son of Chilarai, after the 1581 split.
Important rulers:
Raghudev Narayan – Asserted independence from Koch Bihar; aligned with the Ahoms to resist Mughals.
Parikshit Narayan – Fought against Mughal expansion but was eventually defeated and exiled.
Koch Hajo became a buffer state between the Ahoms and Mughals before being absorbed into Mughal Bengal.
🔑 Koch Hajo represents the eastern branch of the Koch dynasty, engaged in anti-Mughal resistance.
Rulers of Darrang
The Darrang kingdom was ruled by a branch of the Koch lineage after Koch Hajo’s fall.
It functioned as a semi-independent principality, often under Ahom influence.
Notable rulers:
Maintained diplomatic relations with the Ahoms.
Supported local religious institutions and Brahmin settlements.
Eventually merged into Ahom-controlled Assam.
🔑 Darrang served as a feudal buffer zone, preserving Koch administrative continuity under Ahom patronage.
Rulers of Beltola
Beltola, near modern-day Guwahati, was a small Koch principality.
Ruled by descendants of the Koch royal family, it maintained:
Local autonomy
Cultural ties with the Kamakhya temple
Beltola kings often played ritual roles during state festivals and religious ceremonies in Guwahati.
It existed as a ceremonial estate till the colonial period.
🔑 Beltola was a symbolic remnant of Koch sovereignty with ritual and cultural influence.
Rulers of Bijni
The Bijni kingdom, located in present-day western Assam, was established by a Koch prince as a tributary of Koch Bihar.
It gradually gained autonomy and had its own line of rulers.
Characteristics:
Retained royal titles and administration.
Came under British protection during colonial rule.
Maintained a separate identity as a princely state until Indian independence.
🔑 Bijni evolved into a feudatory Koch state, sustaining Koch royal identity in the British era.
Rulers of Khaspur
Khaspur, located in present-day Cachar, became a Koch sub-kingdom through marital alliance.
The daughter of the Khaspur king married a Kachari prince, uniting the two dynasties.
After the union, Khaspur became the capital of the Kachari kingdom, governed by Koch-influenced rulers.
Khaspur is noted for:
Unique architectural remains like palaces and temples.
Being a bridge between Koch and Kachari cultures.
🔑 Khaspur represents the fusion of Koch and Kachari royal traditions in the Barak Valley region.