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Known as 'Kamarupa' or 'Pragjyotishur' in the period of the Epics, Assam is inhabited by human civilisation since about 2000 BC. The earliest political entity was led by a non-Aryan Danava dynasty with Mahiranga mentioned as the first king. He was later succeeded by Hatakasur, Sambarsur and Ratnasur.
Naraka appears to be a generic name for many kings belonging to the Naraka dynasty. According to the mythology, the last of the Naraka kings was killed by Krishna and his son Bhagadatta took the throne. Bhagadatta is said to have participated in the Mahabharata war against the Pandavas with an army of "chinas, kiratas and dwellers of the eastern sea", thereby indicating that his kingdom, Pragjyotisha, included part of Bangladesh. The last in the Naraka dynasty is a ruler named Suparua.
Sri Krishna also frequently appears in Assam Mythology. Sri Krishna fought against king Bhismaka of Kundil (now Sadia) in his bid to marry Bhismaka's daughter Rukmini. Another king Banasura of Sonitpur (now Tezpur) fought against Sri Krishna, when Banasura's daughter Usha was secretly married to Anirudh, the grandson of Sri Krishna.
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