The erstwhile Matak Kingdom

From the British records, it is evident that the Bengmara, which was earlier known as Changmaipathar was the capital of the Matak kingdom which extended between the Noa-Dihing, the Brahmaputra and the mountain ranges in the south, viz. the entire area of the erstwhile Lakhimpur district on the south bank of the Brahmaputra.

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The area of the Matak kingdom was about 1800 square miles (11,52,000 acres) having around 10,000 households with a population of around 25,000 persons. In fact, Matak kingdom was one of the most adequately populated tracts in the whole Brahmaputra valley of Assam.

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According to British sources, Matak kingdom was divided into two divisions – Upper Matak situated between Dangoree and the Dibru rivers which was inhabited by the Morans and Lower Matak. The Morans inhabited a portion of Lower Matak as well, immediately to the south bank of the Dibru River. Some of the important places of this area  were – Barchakari, Saruchakari, Kachujan, Hulungagurim Guijan, Deomali, Bothojan, Jenganigaya, Majuligaya, Beesakhopi etc. most of which are now tea estates and still known as such.

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Lower Matak was situated between the Buri Dihing and the Brahmaputra covering an area of about 432,124 acres, which didn’t include the riverine char areas. And Lower Matak was mainly inhabited by the members of the Matak community excluding the Morans.

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Although, Rangagara was also a capital of the Matak kingdom which was established by King Sarbananda Singha as a temporary arrangement, it was however Bengmara which is known as the capital of the Matak kingdom. In 1791, abandoned Rangagara and established his permanent head-quarters at Bengmara, identified with the present town of Tinsukia. Archaeological remains of capital Bengmara are still available in the Tinsukia town.

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(Source: The Mataks and their Kingdom, Castes and tribes of Assam by Sristidhar Dutta, Chugh Publications, 1985)