The Deshi Muslim people can be find in Meghalaya, North Bengal, eastern Bihar, Rangpur and Bogura of Bangladesh.

In July, 2022, the Government of Assam gave them recognition as an "Indigenous Assamese Muslims" community vide an Order.

They belonged to a range of indigenous communities, such as Koch, Rabha, Mech, Garo, Nath, Yogi.

Ali Mech is said to be the first person of the community and he led the native force during Bakhtiyar Khalji's Tibet campaign in 1205.

They belonged to a range of indigenous Assamese communities, such as Koch, Rabha, Mech, Garo, Nath, Yogi and Kalita.

"Those who have been converted to Islam have been absorbed in the great fraternity of that religion, while those who have not accepted Mahammedanism, are to all intents and purposes low caste Hindoos… there is clear evidence they were once a very numerous race, and the kingdom they ruled for two centuries comprised the Bengal districts of Dinagpore and the districts of Kamrup and Gowalpara in Assam.

Their power was broken up about the year 1750, A.D….. Their unmistakable darkness of colour is found very largely to this day in Rungpore and Dinajpore, and they have supplied the great majority of the converts to Mahammedism in those districts.

The group is descended from a set of tribals which were collectively referred to as Koches, who converted to Islam as they were unable to find a favourable position in Hindu society and came to be known as the Rajbanshi Muslims.

Most people of the community are non-practicing Muslims though the newer generations are becoming increasing Islamic due to globalization.

From historic evidence, it seems a segment of the population of northern Bengal began to convert to Islam when the region fell under the control of Bakhtiyar Khilji.

The Deshi Bhasa is closely related to neighbouring Assamese and Rajbanshi, as well as many other Indo-Aryan languages of Assam including the Urdu.