Sources of Early Historic Assam (4th to 12th Century A.D.)

To reconstruct the history of Assam between the 4th and 12th centuries CE, historians depend on a variety of authentic sources. These include inscriptions, literary texts, foreign travel accounts, and numismatic evidence.

Inscriptions (Copper Plates, Rock Inscriptions)

• • Inscriptions serve as the most direct and reliable evidence for understanding early Assam’s political history, administration, and land grants.

They are mainly of two types:

🔸 Copper Plate Inscriptions:

• • • Issued by rulers of Kamarupa, especially from the Varman, Mlechchha, and Pala dynasties.

    • Commonly record land donations, genealogies, titles of kings, and religious affiliations.

    • Key examples:

      • Dubi and Nidhanpur Copper Plates of Bhaskaravarman

      • Guwakuchi and Subhankarapataka Plates of Indrapala and Dharmapala

🔸 Rock Inscriptions:

• • • Found in strategic and religious locations like Nilachal Hills, Tezpur, and Ambari.

    • Often include eulogies, victory proclamations, and dedications to deities or temples.

    • Examples: Umachal Rock Inscription (Surendravarman), Tezpur Rock Inscription (Harjaravarman)

🔑 These inscriptions are crucial for identifying the dynastic succession, territorial control, and religious patronage.

Literary Sources (Harsacharita, Ramacharita, Rajatarangini, Chinese Accounts)

• • Sanskrit literary works and courtly biographies from other regions mention Assam (Kamarupa), offering external validation of its historical events.

🔸 Harsacharita (by Banabhatta):

• • Describes the diplomatic relations between Harshavardhana of Kanauj and Bhaskaravarman of Kamarupa.

  • Highlights Assam’s prestige, power, and refinement in the 7th century CE.

🔸 Ramacharita (by Sandhyakar Nandi):

• • Mentions Kamarupa in the context of political turmoil and alliances involving the Pala Empire.

  • Offers clues about interstate warfare and political instability in eastern India.

🔸 Rajatarangini (by Kalhana):

• • Chronicles the dynastic history of Kashmir but mentions Kamarupa in connection with Kashmiri campaigns and royal marriages.

🔸 Chinese Accounts:

• • Early Chinese sources (e.g., by Wang Hsüan-ts’e) refer to Kamarupa as an important eastern kingdom during Harsha’s time.

🔑 These texts enrich our understanding of Assam’s interregional connections, reputation, and royal diplomacy.

Foreign Accounts (Hiuen Tsang)

• • The famous Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang) visited India in the 7th century CE during the reign of Harshavardhana.

  • Although he did not personally visit Kamarupa, he recorded second-hand information about it.

  • He described Bhaskaravarman as a strong and just ruler, and his kingdom as well-administered and prosperous.

  • Hiuen Tsang’s account is valuable for understanding:

    • The geo-political standing of Assam.

    • Its integration into the wider Buddhist and political networks of the time.

    • The religious tolerance and cultural development of the Kamarupa kingdom.

Coinage and Numismatic Evidence (Absence of Early Coins)

• • One of the notable features of early Assam is the near-complete absence of indigenous coins during the 4th–12th centuries CE.

  • Unlike other Indian kingdoms, Kamarupa rulers did not issue metallic currency in any significant number.

  • This absence suggests:

    • A possibly non-monetized economy relying on barter or tribute systems.

    • Heavy reliance on land grants and natural resource redistribution as economic tools.

  • Later, during the Ahom period, minted coinage appears more prominently.

  • Despite the lack of coins, metallic artefacts and seals from this period are found, offering clues to economy and trade.

🔑 Numismatic silence is as telling as presence—it reveals distinct economic practices in early Assamese society.