TammieNeedham at 10:21, 8 May 2026

2026-05-08T10:21:08Z

New page

{{Short description|Indigenous people from Assam}}
{{More citations needed|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group = Deshi
| image =
| image_caption =
| regions = [[India]] ([[Assam]], [[West Bengal]])
| langs = [[Assamese language|Assamese]] and Deshi/[[Goalpariya dialects|Goalparia]]/Kamtapuri/[[Rajbanshi language (Nepal)|Rajbongshi]]
| native_name = {{hlist|দেশী|উজানী}}
| native_name_lang =
| religions = [[File:Star and Crescent.svg|15px]] [[Islam]]
| related_groups = [[Koch people|Koch]], [[Mech people|Mech]], [[Moria people|Maria]], {{Ill|Goriya People|as|গৰীয়া}},
}}
{{Islam in Bangladesh}}
'''Deshi,''' '''Uzani or Koch Muslims''' ([[Assamese]]-[[KRDS lects|Kamtapuri]]: {{lang|as|দেশী জনগোষ্ঠী}}, উজানী) people are an indigenous Muslim community residing mostly in [[Assam]] and other parts of eastern India. The Deshi Muslim people can be found in [[Meghalaya]], [[North Bengal]], eastern [[Bihar]], [[Rangpur, Bangladesh|Rangpur]] and [[Bogra|Bogura]] of [[Bangladesh]]. In [[West Bengal]] and [[Bihar]] they are known as [[Nashya Shaikh]] or [[Surjapuri people|Surjapuri Muslim]]'''.'''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saikia |first=Arunabh |title='We don't want to be identified on the basis of our religion,' say Assam's indigenous Desi Muslims |url=https://scroll.in/article/864299/we-dont-want-to-be-identified-in-the-name-of-our-religion-say-assams-indigenous-desi-muslims |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=Scroll.in |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=https://archive.org/details/cultural_identity/
|title=Report of the Sub-Committee on Cultural Identity of Indigenous Assamese Muslims
|publisher=Government of Assam, Welfare of Minorities & Development
|format=PDF
|access-date=12 July 2025
}}</ref> Deshis are Muslim converts from [[Koch people|Koch]], [[Mech people|Mech]] or other indigenous communities.<ref>{{Cite news |last=GANI |first=ABDUL |date=2017-02-08 |title=Deshi Janagosthi: Where Culture Merges With Religion |url=https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/3/9889/Deshi-Janagosthi:-Where-Culture-Merges-With-Religion |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627073838/https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/3/9889/Deshi-Janagosthi:-Where-Culture-Merges-With-Religion |archive-date=2022-06-27 |access-date=2025-11-16 |language=en}}</ref> In July, 2022, the [[Government of Assam]] gave them recognition as an "Indigenous [[Assamese people|Assamese]] Muslims" community vide an Order.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Bikash |title=Assam cabinet approves identification of five indigenous Assamese Muslim communities |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/assam-cabinet-approves-identification-of-five-indigenous-assamese-muslim-communities/articleshow/92685132.cms |access-date=2022-10-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-07-06 |title=Assamese Muslims recognised as a distinct indigenous community |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/assamese-muslims-recognised-as-a-distinct-indigenous-community/article65606802.ece |access-date=2022-10-25 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

The community is categorized as General category in [[List of Muslim Other Backward Classes communities in India|Assam and OBC West Bengal]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of OBCs: State of Assam |url=http://ncbc.nic.in/Pdf/assam.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227160745/http://ncbc.nic.in/Pdf/assam.pdf |archive-date=2012-02-27 |access-date=2026-04-21 |website=ncbc.nic.in |publisher=National Commission for Backward Classes. Government of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=List of OBCs: State of West Bengal |url=http://ncbc.nic.in/Pdf/westbengal.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120131122820/http://ncbc.nic.in/Pdf/westbengal.pdf |archive-date=2012-01-31 |access-date=2026-04-21 |website=ncbc.nic.in |publisher=National Commission for Backward Classes, Government of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=National Commission for Backward Classes |url=https://www.ncbc.nic.in/user_panel/centralliststateview.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260225191137/https://www.ncbc.nic.in/user_panel/centralliststateview.aspx |archive-date=2026-02-25 |access-date=2026-04-21 |website=www.ncbc.nic.in |language=en}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Picture_represents_a_girl,_wearing_traditional_attire_belongs_to_Deshi_Community_of_Western_Assam.jpg|thumb|Girl with traditional attire belongs to Deshi Community of Western Assam]]
The Deshi (literal meaning: ''local or original'') community identifies themselves as the original ethnic inhabitant of this land similar to the other tribal communities. They belonged to a range of indigenous communities, such as Koch, Rabha, Mech, Garo, etc.

Deshi community is one of the old ethnic groups of Assam. It has the recorded history dates back to 13th century, some quarter century prior to the arrival of [[Chaolung Sukaphaa]], the founder of [[Ahom dynasty]]. [[Ali Mech]] is said to be the first person of the community and he led the native force during [[Bakhtiyar Khalji's Tibet campaign]] in 1205.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Nath|first=Monoj Kumar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sDAXEAAAQBAJ&dq=ali+mech&pg=PA23|title=The Muslim Question in Assam and Northeast India|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=2021|isbn=978-1-000-37027-0|pages=23|language=en}}</ref> Deshi Muslims are the descendants of Ali Mech.

The group once known as Koch Muslim.<ref>{{Cite book |last=W.W (1879) |first=Hunter |title=A statistical account of Assam(vol.2). |publisher=Trübner & Company, London |year=1879 |pages=31 |language=English}}</ref> They are homogeneous with the Koch Rajbongshi people and are bi-linguistic speaking both Assamese language and Kamatapuri language.

Most other conversions took place during the 16th century, when the lower-class Koch and Mech people
unable to find a respectable position in the newly formed [[Koch dynasty|Koch kingdom]] (1515–1956) switched to Islam.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Mitra|first=A |title=The Tribes and Castes of West Bengal |publisher=West Bengal Government Press|place=Alipore, West Bengal|year=1953|chapter=The Koches: their racial affinities and original homeland |p=225|quote="The grandson of Haju, Vishu Sing (1515–1540) with all the people of condition apostatised to Hinduism and took the name of ''Rajbonshi'', those who declined, finding that they were treated as vile, adopted Islam. Thus the mass of the Koch people became Mohammadans"}}</ref> The conversion of [[Kamata Kingdom|Kamata]] ruler [[Chakradhwaj of Kamata|Chakradhvaj]] (1455–1485) to Islam popularized this religion among the local people.<ref>{{Cite web |last=theclarionindia |date=2016-04-22 |title=Who’re the Muslims of Assam and How They’ve Been Turned Into ‘Outsiders’ in Their Own Country |url=https://clarionindia.net/whore-the-muslims-of-assam-and-how-theyve-been-turned-into-outsiders-in-their-own-country/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251230191825/https://clarionindia.net/whore-the-muslims-of-assam-and-how-theyve-been-turned-into-outsiders-in-their-own-country/ |archive-date=2025-12-30 |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=Clarion India |language=en-US}}</ref>

Assam’s Deshi Muslims, around 21 lakh in number, are spread across the districts of Bongaigaon, Chirang, Dhubri, Goalpara, Kokrajhar, Kamrup, South Salmara-Mankachar, and Kamrup (Metro).  They belonged to a range of indigenous Assamese communities, such as Koch, Rabha, Mech, Garo, etc

== Deshi on Gov. Records ==

=== The 1881 Census of India ===
"Those who have been converted to [[Islam]] have been absorbed in the great fraternity of that religion, while those who have not accepted [[Mohammedan|Mahammedanism]], are to all intents and purposes low caste Hindoos… there is clear evidence they were once a very numerous race, and the kingdom they ruled for two centuries comprised the Bengal districts of [[Dinajpur District, Bangladesh#British Colonial Period|Dinagpore]] and the districts of [[Undivided Kamrup district|Kamrup]] and [[Undivided Goalpara district|Gowalpara]] in Assam. Their power was broken up about the year 1750, A.D….. Their unmistakable darkness of colour is found very largely to this day in [[Rangpur District|Rungpore]] and Dinajpore, and they have supplied the great majority of the converts to Mahammedism in those districts. None of them have returned their mother tongue as [[Koch language|Koch]]. They have long since abandoned that for [[Bengali language|Bengali]], and the inhabitants of [[Cooch Behar district|Koch Behar]] have adopted the same fashion." (Report on the Census of British India taken on 17 February 1881, Page 211).
"The Koch ... people, who once had a religion and language of their own, have completely abandoned their language and have either been converted to Islam or have become low caste Hindoos, affording a striking example of the way in which Hindooism is replenished.  (Report on the Census of British India taken on 17 February 1881, Page 296).

=== ‘A Statistical Account of Assam’ Vol-II Pub.1879 ===
[[W.W. Hunter]] was the Director General of Statistics of British India. In his book ''A Statistical Account of Assam’ Vol-II'' published in 1879, page 31 mentioned Musalman Koch. He said, "The total of the Kochs has been considerably reduced by the exclusion of a number of Musalman Kochs, who had been erroneously included; and the total of the ' unspecified ' Muhammadans has been correspondingly augmented." The present Deshi Muslims are the descendants of those Musalman Koch as mentioned by Hunter.

In [[West Bengal]], the Deshi Muslims are known as [[Nashya Shaikh]] or Nashya Sekh. Their origin to the indigenous communities of [[Koch people]] of northern [[West Bengal]] and [[Assam]], some of them are also from [[Mech tribe|Mech]] community. They are culturally and linguistically similar to both people of northern Bangladesh and the erstwhile [[Goalpara district|Goalpara]] district of [[Assam]]. A small number of the community are also found in the neighboring state of [[Bihar]], where they are known as the Bengali Shaikh. The group is descended from a set of tribals which were collectively referred to as Koches, who converted to Islam as they were unable to find a favourable position in Hindu society and came to be known as the Rajbanshi Muslims. They are homogeneous with the [[Koch people]] and are bilingual, speaking both [[Bengali language|Bengali]] and [[Surjapuri language|Surjapuri]]. The Nashya still retain many cultural traits of their pre-Islamic past. For instance the reverence of ''pirs'' was a continuation of their previous beliefs. Most people of the community are non-practicing Muslims though the newer generations are becoming increasing Islamic due to globalization. From historic evidence, it seems a segment of the population of northern [[Bengal]] began to convert to Islam when the region fell under the control of [[Bakhtiyar Khilji]]. Some of the earliest converts were the chiefs [[Ali Mech]] and [[Kalapahad|Kala Pahar]].

== Language ==
The language of Deshi Muslim is known as 'Deshi Bhasa’. There are some slight variations in the Deshi Bhasa as one move from one district to another.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Dr. Md. Morsheduz Zaman |date=2024-09-15 |title=FUTURE AND CHALLENGES OF GOALPARIA DIALECT |url=https://ierj.in/journal/index.php/ierj/article/view/3610 |journal=International Education and Research Journal |volume=10 |issue=9 |doi=10.21276/IERJ24766549379431 |issn=2454-9916|doi-access=free }}</ref> The Deshi Bhasa have five dialects in Assam-Barbondi, Mahendragonji, Bausia, Ghullia and Jhaarue. The Deshi Bhasha is known differently in various states in government documents. In Assam, it is vaguely called as [[Goalpariya dialects|Goalpariya]]. In [[Bihar]] and West Bengal it is known as [[Surjapuri]]'''.''' The Deshi Bhasa is closely related to neighbouring [[Boro language (India)|Assamese]] and [[Rangpuri language|Rajbanshi]], as well as many other [[Sino-Tibetan languages|Indo-Aryan languages]] of Assam including the [[Urdu]]'''.'''

The nouns in Deshi language takes [i] or [ni] as suffix to indicate feminine gender. If the noun ends in a vowel, it replaces the vowel with [i], if in consonant it suffixes [ni] as feminine marker. For example,
{| class="wikitable"
! Masculine
! Meaning
! Feminine
! Meaning
|-
|''Chengr-a''
|boy
|''Chengr-i''
|girl
|-
|''Bet-a''
|son
|''Bet-i''
|daughter
|-
|''Daktar''
|Doctor(M)
|''daktar-ni''
|doctor(F)
|}

== Culture ==
Many belief, rites and ceremonies of deshi people are closely resembles with those of Assamese Hindus especially with [[Rajbanshi people|Rajbanshis]]. Deshi farmers perform several seasonal and agriculture rituals that carry strong hindu cultural influences. Their marriage customs also show notable similarities, including the use of banana plants, vermilion marks, conch-shell bangles, turmeric, ceremonial bands, and traditional wedding songs. Some married Deshi women even wear [[sindoor]] on their foreheads.<ref>{{Cite news |last=BORTHAKUR |first=RITURAJ |date=2010-09-15 |title=The indigenous Deshis: Caught between tradition and religion |url=https://assamtribune.com/the-indigenous-deshis-caught-between-tradition-and-religion |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260227151918/https://assamtribune.com/the-indigenous-deshis-caught-between-tradition-and-religion |archive-date=2026-02-27 |access-date=2026-02-27 |language=en-IN}}</ref> The use of maab halodbi (a turmeric–green gram paste) is considered especially auspicious in Deshi weddings.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Akash |date=2024-06-09 |title=Assamese Muslim {{!}} Demography, History, Culture and Identity |url=https://www.northeastbullet.com/assamese-muslim-history-culture/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116025126/https://www.northeastbullet.com/assamese-muslim-history-culture/ |archive-date=2025-01-16 |access-date=2025-11-16 |work=Northeast Bullet » Blog about news, culture, travel of North East India |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=মূলসূতিৰ ভাৰতৰ পৰা পৃথক, অসমৰ মুছলমানসকলে ধৰি ৰাখিছে এক বৈচিত্ৰময় পৰিচয় আৰু সংস্কৃতি |url=https://www.assam.awazthevoice.in/society-news/different-from-india-s-mainstream-assamese-muslims-have-unique-identity-culture-7588.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230612060829/https://www.assam.awazthevoice.in/society-news/different-from-india-s-mainstream-assamese-muslims-have-unique-identity-culture-7588.html |archive-date=2023-06-12 |access-date=2025-12-04 |website=www.assam.awazthevoice.in |language=as}}</ref>

In Goalpara, people celebrate a local adaptation of Diwali known as ''Gasa Laga''. The Deshis observe the same festival but refer to it as ''Diya Bati ot Chorat''. Similar to how the [[Boro people|Bodos]] have Boisagu and the Rabhas celebrate Boishu, the Deshi Muslims also observe their own form of [[Bihu]], called ''<u>Beshoma</u>'', which is also known as ''Bishma'' or ''Chait-Boishne''.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=বেষমা : খিলঞ্জীয়া দেশী মুছলমান সকলৰ ৰঙালী বিহু |url=https://www.assam.awazthevoice.in/culture-news/beshoma-rongali-bihu-of-the-indigenous-deshi-muslims-1906.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251204223004/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://www.assam.awazthevoice.in/culture-news/beshoma-rongali-bihu-of-the-indigenous-deshi-muslims-1906.html |archive-date=2025-12-04 |access-date=2025-12-04 |website=www.assam.awazthevoice.in |language=as}}</ref>

== Organizations ==
The Deshi Janagosthiya Mancha (DJM) is the lone organization which represent the community in A<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guwahati |first=The |date=2024-07-12 |title=Deshi Janagosthiya Mancha Seeks More Seats in KAC - The Guwahati |url=https://theguwahati.com/deshi-janahosthiya-mancha-seeks-more-seats-in-kac/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814003017/https://theguwahati.com/deshi-janahosthiya-mancha-seeks-more-seats-in-kac/ |archive-date=2024-08-14 |access-date=2025-11-16 |work=The Guwahati |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Zaman |first=Rokibuz |title=Why many in Assam are unhappy with a proposal to count ‘Assamese Muslims’ |url=https://scroll.in/article/1025237/why-many-in-assam-are-unhappy-with-a-proposal-to-count-assamese-muslims |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602025409/https://scroll.in/article/1025237/why-many-in-assam-are-unhappy-with-a-proposal-to-count-assamese-muslims |archive-date=2022-06-02 |access-date=2025-11-16 |work=Scroll.in |language=en-US}}</ref>

Assam Goria Parishad <ref>{{Cite web |last=Meghalaya |first=Syllad {{!}} The Rising |date=2024-03-19 |title=Assam's indigenous Muslim group appeal to Muslims to vote for BJP in LS poll |url=https://www.syllad.com/assams-indigenous-muslim-group-appeal-to-muslims-to-vote-for-bjp-in-ls-poll/ |access-date=2025-11-16 |website=Syllad |language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==

* [[Assamese Muslims]]
* [[Miya people]]
* [[Moria people|Maria People]]
* [[Goria People]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
* {{Cite book |last=Nofil |first=Zafri Mudasser |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/The_Identity_Quotient/ADNazgEACAAJ?hl=en |title=The Identity Quotient: The Story of the Assamese Muslims |date=2021 |publisher=Har-Anand Publications Pvt Limited |isbn=978-93-88409-87-2 |pages=42-50|language=en}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Islam |first=Anowarul |date=2025-01-01 |title=Socio-economic and cultural status of the Deshi Muslim community of Assam: A study based in Kokrajhar district |url=https://www.journalofpoliticalscience.com/archives/2025.v7.i1.C.440 |journal=International Journal of Political Science and Governance |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=158–161 |doi=10.33545/26646021.2025.v7.i1c.440|doi-access=free }}

[[Category:Ethnic groups in Assam]]
[[Category:Muslim ethnoreligious groups]]
[[Category:Indigenous peoples of South Asia]]
[[Category:Muslim communities in Assam]]

Deshi people - Revision history

TammieNeedham at 10:21, 8 May 2026