Asm:তেজপুৰ tējapura
‘City of Blood’ City, Assam
Asm/Ben: tez/tej, ‘blood’[Skt: śōṇita]; and Skt: pura, ‘fort’, ‘city’.
Tezpur is situated in Sonitpur, a District with which it shares its original name.
Bana, the arrogant thousand-armed king and ardent devotee of Shiva, fought a bloody battle with Krishna after Ushas, his daughter, lured and abducted Krishna’s grandson, Aniruddha.
Krishna rushed into battle, seized Bana and cut off all but two of his arms. His life was spared when Shiva intervened; Bana was forgiven after he apologized to Krishna; and Aniruddha was married to Ushas. It is said that the fierce battle and thousand arm amputation spilt so much blood that it painted the town red.
Agnigarh Hill, Tezpur: the site of Aniruddha’s abduction Anupom Bora
