Kamapitha

Kamapitha refers to a historical region in Assam, India, primarily corresponding to the western part of the Brahmaputra Valley. It existed roughly from the 7th to the 13th centuries, following the decline of the Kamarupa kingdom. Kamapitha was one of the three or four divisions (Pithas) into which the earlier Kamarupa kingdom fragmented, the others being Ratnapitha, Swarnapitha, and sometimes Bhotapitha.

The boundaries of Kamapitha fluctuated over time, but it generally encompassed areas west of the Manas River. Significant towns within this region included present-day Cooch Behar, North Bengal, and parts of Assam. The political landscape of Kamapitha was characterized by smaller, often warring, kingdoms and chieftaincies following the disintegration of Kamarupa's centralized authority. Important dynasties that ruled within Kamapitha include the Palas of Bengal (who extended their influence into the region) and later indigenous rulers.

The term "Kamapitha" holds significance in historical texts and regional narratives. It helps to understand the political, social, and cultural evolution of Assam and the surrounding areas during the medieval period. The fragmentation into Pithas represents a weakening of central power and the emergence of localized centers of authority. The history of Kamapitha is essential for understanding the subsequent rise of the Koch kingdom in the same geographical area. The name is also associated with tantric practices prevalent in the region.