A History of Assam c17.14

c17.14

The first reference to the inhabitants of the Khāsi and Jaintia hills in the records of other States occurs about the middle of the sixteenth century, in the annals of the Koch king Nar Nārāyan. At that time, as later, the two most prominent chiefs seem to have been the Rajas of Jaintia and Khairam. The former is alleged to have been defeated and slain by Nar Nārāyan's brother Chilarāi; and his son, after acknowledging himself a tributary, was set up in his place. Profiting by his example, the chief of Khairam, it is said, hastened to make his submission, and undertook to pay an annual tribute of a considerable amount. From his name, Virjya Vanta, it may be assumed that he also was more or less under the influence of Brāhman priests.