Hiuen-tsang Or Hiuwen Chang

Hiuen-Tsang's Visit to Kamarupa: A Glimpse into Ancient Assam

Hiuen-Tsang, also spelled Hiuwen Chang or Hieun Tsang, was a renowned Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, and traveler who journeyed to India in the 7th century to explore the roots of Buddhism. Born in 600 A.D. in Guoshi Town, Luozhou (modern-day Luoyang, Henan, China), Hiuen-Tsang came from an educated family and was the youngest among four siblings. His deep interest in resolving contradictions in Buddhist scriptures led him on an ambitious pilgrimage to India in 629 A.D., reaching the great Nalanda University by 633 A.D.

Among the many Indian regions he explored, one of his significant stops was Kamarupa—the ancient name of Assam. He visited this northeastern kingdom during the reign of King Kumar Bhaskar Varman, who ruled from 600 to 650 A.D. Known as the last and most celebrated ruler of the Varman dynasty, Bhaskar Varman welcomed Hiuen-Tsang with great honor.

Hiuen-Tsang arrived in Kamarupa around 642–643 A.D. and was ceremoniously greeted with a traditional Assamese jaapi (a symbolic conical headgear). He attended the royal court of Bhaskar Varman and documented his experience in detail. According to his accounts, the western boundary of Kamarupa extended to the Karatoya River, while the eastern edge reached Dikkaravasini, near present-day Sadiya in Assam.

Interestingly, Hiuen-Tsang noted that while Assam had exposure to Buddhism, it was not a dominant religion in the region during that period. He also made cultural observations, including the presence of jackfruit and coconut trees, highlighting the local flora of Kamarupa. His detailed narratives shed light on the geographical, political, and cultural aspects of ancient Assam, validating the grandeur and sophistication of the Kamarupa kingdom.

Following his time in Assam, Hiuen-Tsang joined King Bhaskar Varman on a journey to meet Emperor Harshavardhana at Kanauj, where both were received with elaborate celebrations. This historic meeting further solidified Bhaskar Varman’s reputation as a distinguished ally and patron of Buddhist scholars.

Hiuen-Tsang’s travel records, especially his work “Si-yu-ki” (Records of the Western Regions), remain an invaluable source for understanding ancient India’s diverse kingdoms, including the rich legacy of Kamarupa.