2026-09-08 Tue

The Kachar Kingdom, also known as the Dimasa Kachari Kingdom, was an important kingdom in the northeastern part of India. The kingdom was ruled by the Dimasa Kacharis and covered parts of present-day Assam and neighbouring regions. The early history of the Kachari kingdom is not completely clear. The Dimasa rulers had their early centres in the Brahmaputra valley. Dimapur became an important early capital. Later, the capital was shifted to Maibang in the hill region. In the 18th century, the Kachari rulers moved their centre to Khaspur, in the plains of present-day Cachar.

The rulers gradually came under stronger Hindu cultural influence. They adopted Hindu titles and traditions while continuing many elements of their older Dimasa traditions. The term Hachengsa, or a related form such as Ha-tsung-tsa, is associated with the royal lineage of the Kacharis and appears on their coins.

One of the important rulers of the Kachari kingdom was Megha Narayana. He is generally dated to 1566–1583 CE. His reign belongs to an important period in the history of Kachar, when the kingdom was developing its own political identity and issuing silver coinage.

Megha Narayana's coins are among the most interesting surviving examples of Kachari coinage. His silver tankas are particularly rare. Several varieties are known, and differences can be seen in the arrangement of the legends and decorative elements. The coins also show the influence of Hindu religious traditions. The name of Hara-Gauri, referring to Shiva and Parvati, appears prominently on the obverse. This religious reference is combined with the ruler's royal title on the reverse.

Here, the image is a Silver Tanka of Megha Narayana. It weighs 9.86 grams and is dated Saka 1488, corresponding to 1566 CE. The coin is struck in silver and has legends in Nagari script.

The obverse reads as “Hara Gauri// Charana Parayana// Hachengsa Vamsaja”. The inscription refers to the ruler as a devotee of the feet of Hara-Gauri, or Shiva and Parvati. It also identifies him with the Hachengsa Vamsaja lineage.

The reference to Hara-Gauri is important. It shows the religious character of the Kachari royal coinage and the growing influence of Hindu traditions at the royal court.

The reverse reads, “Sri Sri Megha// Narayana// Bhupalasya// Sake 1488”. This means that the coin was issued in the name of Megha Narayana, the ruler, and gives the date as Saka 1488.

The Megha Narayana silver tanka of Saka 1488 (1566 CE) offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of the Kachari kingdom. Although little is known about many aspects of the kingdom, its coins preserve valuable information about its rulers and their beliefs.