The "Kamrup" is historical region, which in its height engulfed entire Brahmaputra Valley, western part (of valley) serving paramount role as capital and base, North Bengal as western and parts of Bangladesh as southern boundary. Contemporary Kamrup region not enfold such vast territories, is roughly equivalent to Kamapitha division of classical period and Undivided Kamrup district of modern times.
Ramayana and Mahabharata allude this region as Pragjyotish, not as Kamrup. Puranas written after Mahabharata mentions same Pragjyotish as Kamrup. Vishnu Purana narrates Kamrup spread 450 miles in all directions from Kamakhya. Kalika Purana says Kamakhya as nucleus of Kamrup. Yogini Tantra composed thereafter gives the geographical area of Kamrup as whole Brahmaputra Valley, Bhutan, Rangpur (Bangladesh), Mymensing (Bangladesh) and Cooch Behar .
References in epics
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| Kamrup-Kamakhya temple |
Ramayana and Mahabharata allude this region as Pragjyotish, not as Kamrup. Puranas written after Mahabharata mentions same Pragjyotish as Kamrup. Vishnu Purana narrates Kamrup spread 450 miles in all directions from Kamakhya. Kalika Purana says Kamakhya as nucleus of Kamrup. Yogini Tantra composed thereafter gives the geographical area of Kamrup as whole Brahmaputra Valley, Bhutan, Rangpur (Bangladesh), Mymensing (Bangladesh) and Cooch Behar .
Historical accounts
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| Madan Kamdev |
First millennium common era marks expansion of geographical, political and cultural influence of Kamrup than never before. Chinese pilgrimage Yuan Chwang (Hsuan-Tsang), also a Sanskrit expert, gives intricate account of ancient Kamrup. Spending a period of three months in Pragjotishpura (Guwahati), he espied the life, culture and politics in Kamrup.
Ancient divisions
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| Silsako bridge |
Primeval Kamrup was diverged in four pithas (geographical divisions) (1) Ratnapitha between the Karatoya and the Svarnakosa (North Bengal & Goalpara region); (2) Kamapitha between the Svarnakosa and the Kapili (Kamrup region); (3) Svarnapitha between the Puspika and the Bhairavi (Central Assam); (4) Saumarapitha between the Bhairavi and the Dikrang (Eastern Assam).
Medieval period
In medieval times eastern Assam ceased to be its part; in absence of local rulers, it became an battlefield of different powers trying to control over it, but none can hold Kamrup for long, thus it remain unmarred by any foreign cultural influences, including in its language. In this time of hostility, also saw rise of major literary activities. Chandra Bharati, Bhattadeva , Ananta Kandali , Madhava Kandali , Sankardeva and others composed epics in Kamrupi language.Pre-modern
Colonial period seen Kamrup shrinking than never before, limited to an administrative district with severance of North Bengal areas.Modern
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| Gauhati |
Twentieth century marks major industrial development of Kamrup. Guwahati , the largest city of region, became major urban core. Thus, cultural and political capital of ancient Kamrup became major hub of culture and business again.
