Koch Rajbongshi people have some historical l, geographical and sociological perspective. It is very important to investigate them. The Koch Rajbongshi's of Rangpur have a different socio- cultural association. To know the original identities of Koch Rajbongshi people of Rangpur, one has to enquiry about the Kshatriyon revolt of Panchanan Barma. Likewise there is a region called Tarai in our Darjeeling district of West Bengal. The people residing here have some sections and they have different languages for communication. In this region, three sections can be identified such as Koch, Mech and Tharo. The Tharo people still resides in the Tharobhita region of Hatikisha. On the other hand, the Dhimal's live at Dhimal Basthi of Hatikisha. The Koch Rajbongshi people residing in that region have a different art and culture. Out of different cultures, 'Pala Gaan' is worth mentioning. There is another important song called 'Panchali'. This 'Panchali' song is found to flourish in Nepal also. Again, 'Notuwa' is another type of song. This song have two 'Palas'. One is 'Virodh Pala' and the other is 'Kunjo Pala'. 'Rajdhari' is another type of song. This song depicts the story of 'Lanka Kando'. In Tarai region, 'Lahangkari' is one of the famous type of songs. These are actually the songs of sadness and pain. If we move farther from Tarai, we can see variations in this song at Dineshpu and it is called 'Bandhuwala Gaan'. This song is famous at Sonapur, Islampur, north region of Raiganj. We can find similarity among the 'Bandhuwala Gaan', 'Lahangkari Gaan', 'Bhawaiya Gaan' and songs of Goalpara's Pratima Pandey Baruah. Meanwhile, we can see that the culture of Koch Rajbongshi people residing at Duwars region which is in the north of Jalpaiguri district. In this region, people sacrifice pigs in their marriage ceremony till today. Infact, they worship 'Dangdhora Shiva Devta'. 'Duwars' region being close to Bhutan, a 'Dobhashiya' community is found there among the Koch Rajbongshi people. People belonging to this community worship to 'Bhoot Thakur'. Some important songs of Duwars are 'Chorchunni', 'Palatia', 'Dham gaan', 'Keutiya Ravan Gaan', 'Kushan gaan', 'Ravan Gaan', 'Tukkha Gaan', 'Tista Buri Mecheni Khela Gaan' ( This song is popular in Assam also specially at the parts of Nalbari, Tamulpur and Serfanguri. But it is mostly popular at the Tista Paar of Jalpaiguri district.)
The culture of Koch Bihar is something different from the rests because of the reign of Kings at that very place. One can see the culture of Arya has intermixed with the original Kich Rajbongshi culture. Specially at Dinhata and Tufanganj , Bengali culture has merged with the Koch Rajbongshi culture. The only place where we can't see the influence of Bengali culture in our culture is at Mathabhanga, Maithliganj Subdivision. In this place, popularity of 'Biswahari Gaan', 'Tukkha Gaan', 'Manshikkha Gaan', 'Khepa Gaan', the performing of various 'Nadi Pujas' prove that the Folk culture of Koch Rajbongshi people are still intact in this region. However, we can observe an intermix of culture of Koch Rajbongshi, Bodo and Rabha at Alipurduar district. In the culture of Koch Rajbongshi, having rice on bamboo poles in Bishuwa is common. This rice is known as 'Shima Bhaat' at Kokrajhar district of Assam. This ritual is done by the people of Kumargram Duwar of Bengal. One can find many Bhutia Chang at Kumargram Duwar. Almost 50 'Mahish Bathans' are found there. So, the 'Maishali' culture is seen among the people of that certain region. This culture is also seen among the people of Duwars and Tista paar. A river called 'Tussha' flows by the Kumargram Duwar. Depending on this river, evolution of various cultures are found. Tussha peer is the deity of this Tussha river. This Tussha peer married the daughter of Khaosang Mech of Mechpara of Jalpaiguri district. Irrespective of religion, everyone worships Tussha Peer. The Koch Rajbongshi Kings also established Darbar of Tussha Peer nearby the Rajbari and therefore the influence of Muslim religion can also be seen among the Koch Rajbongshi people. Infact, some Koch Rajbongshi people adopted Muslim religion. Nassho Sheikh people of West Bengal are the examples.
Dr. Deepak Kr. Roy of Raiganj University on diffent variations of Koch-Rajbongshi Culture
