Community in news: Koch Rajbangshis

Community in news: Koch Rajbangshis

Part of: GS Prelims and GS – I – Society

In news

• The Koch Rajbongshis community was in news recently.

Important value additions 

• They are a community that traces its roots to the Kamata kingdom, which comprised parts of Assam, West Bengal, and adjoining territories.
• In the medieval period, the community was dominant and ruled their territory of Kamatapur, which comprised a large part of Bangladesh, West Bengal, Bihar, and India’s north-east.
• After Independence, the princely state of Cooch Behar became part of West Bengal.
• Today, Koch Rajbongshis are found in Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal, and Bihar, and in Bangladesh, Nepal, and some parts of Bhutan.
• They are estimated to number over 33 lakh in West Bengal, mostly the northern districts, and have a large presence in Assam.