[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [General history and culture](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general) › [A History of Assam](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.gait-1906) › c8.49 # A History of Assam c8.49 A History of Assam c8.49 - **Language:** English ### [c8.49](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.gait-1906.c8.49) About the year 1000 A.D., the ruling prince Tyāg Singh died childless and, it is said, the people, thinking it well that one of Narak’s race should be appointed as their ruler, chose Brahma Pāl from among his descendants to be their king, as he appeared best fitted to undertake the government of the country. Brahma Pāl married a lady who was named Kula Debi, by reason of her devotion to the people. This king was of a mild and peaceable disposition and, when his son Ratna Pāl grew up, he abdicated in his favour, and having done so, “went to Heaven; for noble minded men who know the good and evil of the world, know to do that which is suitable to the occasion.” His son, of whom we have two copper-plate inscriptions (those of Bargaon and Suālkuchi), was a man of a very different stamp, being a strong and warlike ruler. In the land-grant of his grandson Indra Pāl he is described as "the mighty crusher of his enemies who studded the earth with white-washed temples, the skies with the smoke of his burnt offerings, and all the quarters of the earth with the pillar monuments of his victories." It is said that he came into hostile contact with the kings of Gurjara, Gaur, Kerala and the Dekkan, but this is probably mere bombast. He built his capital on the bank of the Brahmaputra and surrounded it with a rampart and strong palisade, whence he named it Durjaya, or "Impregnable." Many wealthy merchants lived there in safety, and it boasted of many plastered turrets. Learned men, religious preceptors and poets, encouraged by the king, made it a place of resort. He is said to have derived much wealth from his copper mines, but no indication is given as to the part of the country in which these mines were situated; possibly they lay in Bhutān which, as stated elsewhere, was probably at one time subject to the kings of Kāmarupa - [Previous: c8.48](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.gait-1906.c8.48) - [Next: c8.50](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.gait-1906.c8.50) - [Up: c8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.gait-1906.c8) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.gait-1906.c8.49](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.gait-1906.c8.49) · Pramāṇa