A History of Assam c9.11

c9.11

The Bāro Bhuiyā. These chiefs are well remembered in Assam legends as the “Bāro (twelve) Bhuiyā,” a title which was formerly supposed to indicate a connection with the aboriginal tribe of the same designation in Chota Nagpur. This, of course, is not the case; and the late Dr. Wise has clearly shown* in connection with Eastern Bengal, where there was also in former times a group of chiefs bearing the same title, that, in this connection, the word “Bhuyā” or “Bhuiyā” has nothing to do with caste, but is merely the Sanskrit equivalent of the Persian word “Zamindar.” It is not clear why the number “twelve” should always be associated with them, both in Bengal and Assam. Whenever they are enumerated, twelve persons are always mentioned, but the actual names vary, just as in the case of the Muhammadan "Panch Pir," different saints are counted by different people. It seems to have been the practice in this part of India for kings to appoint twelve advisers or governors. Nar Nārāyan had twelve ministers of State; twelve chiefs or dolois administered the hilly portion of the Raja of Jaintia's Dominions, and there were twelve State Councillors in Nepal. The number may thus have become connected in the minds of the people with all dignitaries ranking next to a Raja, and so have come to be used in a purely conventional sense.