APPENDIX
I.
"It is fairly certain that Assam was anciently divided into several, or many small kingdoms and that after the time of Buddha, the western kings adopted the Buddhist faith. As might be expected the western districts are often found united under one ruler, whose sway extended as far westwards as Bihar or even Gorakhpur on the confines of Oudh. These Buddhist princes felt the effect of the Brahmanic struggle for ascendancy and were ultimately overthrown.
"It is curious to observe how the traditions represent the oppressed Buddhists as seeking refuge through the hills as far west as Kashmir, and at least at one time, we hear of a prince ruling over Kashmir leading an Army into Assam. There are scattered remnants of these once ruling houses still existing under the name of the Kulta or Kulita caste. A certain number, now Hindus, are in the Assam valley. But two small colonies made their way to south-western Bengal, which has been a refuge ground to several tribes. One is now in the native state of Bonaigarh, the other in the Sambalpur district of the Central Provinces. The name Kulita is supposed by some to mean kula (family) ita (gone or lost); but these Skt. derivations are open to not a little suspicion. (B. H. Baden Powell, The Indian Village Community; 1896. pp. 134, 135, 135 f. n.)
