The Khen dynasty played a significant role in the late medieval history of Western Assam. Originating in the Kamatapur region, the Khens acted as the successors to the Kamata rulers, briefly creating a strong kingdom before their fall to external invasion.
Establishment and Background
The Khen dynasty emerged as a powerful local force in the western Brahmaputra Valley after the decline of the Kamata Kingdom.
Their rise can be traced to indigenous origins, possibly from Kheng, Bhutan, or Tibeto-Burman tribal backgrounds.
They gained prominence by replacing the Palas of Kamata, asserting sovereignty in Western Assam and parts of North Bengal.
The Khens were Hindu rulers, who patronised Brahmanical traditions, temples, and scholars.
🔑 The Khen dynasty represented a strong regional assertion of power in the wake of Kamata’s fragmentation.
Capital and Administrative Features
The capital of the Khen dynasty was established at Kamatapur (near present-day Cooch Behar).
Kamatapur became an important administrative, cultural, and economic centre under the Khens.
Their administration featured:
Hereditary monarchy with centralised power.
Revenue collection from agriculture, tributes, and trade.
Temple grants and land donations to Brahmins, ensuring religious legitimacy.
The dynasty is known for building fortifications and promoting the growth of urban settlements.
🔑 The Khen rulers created a structured polity, blending tribal leadership with classical Hindu kingship.
List of Rulers (1185–1498) of the Khen Dynasty
Though the historical record is limited, the P3 document identifies the main rulers of the Khen dynasty:
Pratapdhvaj (c. 1185 CE) – Considered the founder or early figure of the Khen lineage.
Niladhvaj – Expanded the kingdom, stabilised power.
Chakradhvaj – Continued consolidation and fortification efforts.
Nilambar (1460–1498 CE) – The last and most powerful Khen ruler.
Nilambar:
Known for military strength, temple construction, and cultural patronage.
Ruled over parts of Assam, Cooch Behar, and North Bengal.
His reign marked the peak of Khen influence.
🔑 The Khen rulers attempted to create a Hindu polity that rivalled other regional powers like the Koch and Bengal Sultanate.
Fall of the Khen Dynasty and Aftermath
The Khen dynasty came to a sudden end with the invasion of Alauddin Hussain Shah, the Sultan of Bengal, in 1498 CE.
Sultan Hussain Shah:
Defeated and captured Kamatapur.
Executed Nilambar, ending Khen sovereignty.
Incorporated the region into the Bengal Sultanate for a brief period.
After the fall:
The region experienced a power vacuum, leading to the rise of the Koch dynasty under Biswa Singha.
Many Khen nobles and supporters were absorbed into the new Koch polity.
🔑 The fall of the Khen dynasty cleared the path for the emergence of the Koch Kingdom, a major player in late medieval Assam.