The Thengal Kachari people are an indigenous ethnic group of Assam, India.^[1] They are a part of greater Bodo-Kachari family.They are manily concentrated in the Jorhat, Golaghat, North Lakhimpur, Nagaon and Karbi Anglong districts.Their traditional festival is "Tora Chira" bihu.They commonly known as "Kachari" people.

There are different theories regarding the origin of the term Thengal. As per the census of India, 1891, the Thengal kacharis derive their name from an ancestor who is said to have ascended to heaven leg foremost.^[2] But according to Jogeswar Borah, earlier the Thengals used to wear a pantaloon called "Thenga" from which the name has been derived.^[3]

They are also called as 'Rupowal' from their traditional occupation as silver washers. However, some people in recent time don't prefer this term.^[3]

Historical accounts on Thengals are very scarce. According to Hiteswar Borbaruah, some Sonowals used to procure silver in the Dhansiri river and were called Thengals or Rupowal. But earlier they were known by the name "Rupiya thakur".^[4]

Thengal kachari is a functional group that were silver washers by profession during the Ahom rule. They practice endogamy and reported to be inhabiting the eastern portion of the Brahmaputra valley. They are advanced Hindus than the Sonowal Kacharis, but indulge in forbidden food and drink. They do not worship or sacrifice to idols. Various animistic practices are still prevalent. And they engage a brahmin in marriage, but with the advent of Ekasarna Vaishnavism this practice has declined.

The Thengals are mostly the followers of Vaishnavism and they were initiated by Basudev Gosain of Auniati satra. Hence they are the followers of Brahma Samhati and obeys the Vedic rites and rituals and are known as Bamonia as they engage Brahmin priests in their religious ceremonies or Mahekia as they conduct funeral feast after a month. Besides, there are two more sections of Thengals, one of which is called Nam-kirtania or Hari-dhanis and follows Eksarana Naam Dharma and are under Srimanta Sankardeva Sangha and the other section have taken the Ek Saran Bhagabati Dharma and initiated into the mode of worshiping of Mahapurushiya Dharma also called Egharoh Diniya as they conduct funeral feast after 11 days.

The Thengals are completely Hinduised. However, the Bamunia section are seen to have retained some of their animistic rituals.^[7]

• Sonowal kacharis
• Sonowal khel