Deshi people (original) (raw)

Deshi or Desi people are an indigenous Muslim community from Assam. Deshis are Muslim converts from Koch and Mech communities. In 2022, the government of Assam gave them recognition as an indigenous community. Ali Mech is said to be the first person of the community. Most other converts took place during the 16th-century, when the lowerclass Koch and Mech peopleunable to find a respectable position in the newly formed Koch kingdom (1515 - 1956) switched to Islam.