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Abstract
The Sylhet-Cachar region was characterized by the presence of large numbers of flowing rivers along with their tributaries formed the vast alluvial plain. The heavy seasonal rainfall (about 4,000 mm.), and flowing rivers from the neighbouring hills caused severe annual flood. The rivers and large numbers of hawars, beels, lakes and vast wet lands were abundant with palatable fish. The primitive communities like Nishadas were perhaps among the first settlers in the region. With the passage of time, sedentary agriculture developed based on wet rice cultivation, but a section of people remained dependent on fishing and hunting. Therefore, since the time immemorial, along with the cultivating communities, large numbers of fishing communities constitute the population of the region. The Mahimals or Muslim fisherman caste, an inland fishing community, was a dominant Muslim group, mainly converts from Hindu fishing and boating castes such as Kaiberta, Patini and Namasudra. They constituted a sizeable segment of population in the region. A historical study of the Mahimal community may provide interesting insight into the issue of conversion to Islam, emergence of social stratification and caste among Muslims in the region.