Undivided Kamrup district

Undivided Kamrup district is a former administrative district located in Western Assam from which Kamrup Rural (2003), Kamrup Metropolitan (2003), Barpeta (1983), Nalbari (1985) and Baksa (2004) Kamrup South (2015) districts were formed. It was large administrative district in colonial times that has been reducing its size in subsequent periods.

The administrative district of Kamrup was first constituted from the western portion of the Burmese Empire that the British acquired following the Treaty of Yandaboo of 1826. The western boundary of this district was the Manas river, and the eastern boundary of this district was the Barnadi river. After 1826 the British administered the newly acquired regions via two commissioners: the Senior Commissioner who administered the "North-East of Rangpur" (largely the undivided Goalpara) in addition to the newly acquired region between Manas river and Biswanath; and the Junior Commissioner, who administered the region to the east of Biswanath. In March 1833 the British established district administration in the region west of the Dhansiri river, with the Kamrup district originally envisaged as two separate districts among 3 others: the six parganas largely co-terminus with present-day Barpeta and Nagarberra; and the twenty parganas in the north and six duars in the south. Each district were to be administered by a Principal Assistant, deputed by a Junior Assistant. But due to a paucity of funds, the six pargana region had only a Junior Assistant, and by 1836, the Kamrup district acquired its "undivided" form and name.

After the independence of India in 1947 the "undivided" Kamrup district was divided into the present Barpeta district (1983), Nalbari district (1985). In 2003 Kamrup was bifurcated into Kamrup Metropolitan district and Kamrup Rural district. In 2004 the northern parts of Barpeta, Nalbari and Kamrup Rural district were constituted into Baksa district.

The history of the undivided Kamrup district dates backs to the 4th century under Kamrup Kingdom. The capitals of Varman Dynasty and Pala Dynasty namely Pragjyotishpura and Durjaya were in Kamrup. Undivided Kamrup district was roughly equivalent to Kampith of ancient Kamarupa Pithas. Kampith is known as Kamarupa or Kamrup before the title spread to larger areas. It is also known as Pragjyotisha in different epics. Kamrup is mentioned in the Allahabad Pillar inscription of Samudragupta as one of the frontier states outside the limits of Gupta Empire with its capital at Pragjyotishpura which was 30 li in size. Chinese pilgrim Yuan Chwang mentions that land was low and moist, crops grows regularly, climate was quite genial and people are honest. He finds no trace of Buddhism while Deva temples are widespread. He said that King (Bhaskar Varman) was a lover of learning. Though himself a Hindu, he treat Buddhist monks with respect.

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