Archaeological Spots of Sivasagar and World Heritage Tourism: An Analysis

Archaeological Spots of Sivasagar and World Heritage Tourism: An Analysis Guptajit Pathak Asstt. Professor, Department of History Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Geetanagar, Guwahati-21, Assam, INDIA Mobile : +91-99548-85175 Website: www.kanyamahavidyalaya.org E-mail ID : guptajitpathak@yahoo.com

Introduction A voyage for recreation, leisure, religious purposes in general for a limited duration is termed as ‘tourism’. The trip may include family or business purposes too. It is mainly associated with international tour. But it may also refer to travel to another place within the national boundary. It is a channel of innovation since time immemorial. It is now a key industry around the globe which has a broad impact on the society.

Sivasagar formerly known as Rangpur was the capital of the Ahom Kingdom from 1699 to 1788 who ruled Assam for six hundred years. It is believed that ‘Kalansupar’ was the original name of Sivasagar associated with ‘Kalansu Gohain’ who resided in a village originally existed in the place of present Sivasagar tank. It is situated 60 km east of Jorhat. The carcasses of this capital city bear witness of the splendid period of Ahom Rule in Assam.

The Ahoms migrated to Assam early in the thirteenth century. They were an offshoot of the great Tai or Shan race, extraordinarily gifted with the high degree historic sense.

Sivasagar is renowned for the water body known as sagars, temples, palaces, moidams, etc. The bunch of historical monument erected during the six hundred years of Ahom Rule bears great importance to current culture. It is now a vital center for tea and oil industries. In the map of World Heritage Tourism Sivasagar occupying an imperative place.

The paper tries to reveal the significance of the archaeological sites of Sivasagar District particularly in correlation with the promotion of Tourism in order to uplift the heritage sites.

Aims and Objectives •

To publicize the heritage sites of Sivasagar District.

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To endorse tourism by focusing the archaeological sites.

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To examine about the architectural designs of the palaces, sagars, temples and moidams.

Research Methodology The research method applied in this paper is descriptive. The data has been collected on the basis of primary and secondary sources and the primary data were collected through observing and interviewing different places of Sivasagar.

The secondary data collected from different research papers, research articles, periodicals, journals, paper clips, reference books and internet sources.

Importance of the Study It is very important to know about the pride and power of the Ahom monarchs and the history of different water bodies (sagars), temples (dols), palaces and the tombs (moidams) by future generation. It emphasized to know how the monuments have been built and the reason behind the names by which sagars, temples, etc. are recognized. There is a basic need to promote tourism for the archaeological sites in Sivasagar as they possess priceless historic ruins.

Analysis & Discussion The archaeological sites of Sivasagar District are well-known for tourists’ attraction. The splendor of Ahom Rule was not confined only to the field of the state-craft, organization and literature but also the fine arts. Various Ahom Kings unearthed water tanks and primed highways. They also erected temples which were dedicated to gods and goddesses of the Sakta and Vaisnava cults.

The American Baprist Missionaries started the publication of the first Assamese journal, “Arunoday” in 1836 from the Sivasagar town itself. The significance of the town as a commercial nucleus has really improved after the establishment of the Eastern Regional Headquarters of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation at Nazira, near about 18 kms away from the town.

The paper tries to examine various archaeological sites like water bodies (sagars), temples (dols), the Rang Ghar, the Talatal Ghar, the Kareng Ghar and the tombs or moidams of the ancient Ahom Kingdom.

Different Important Spots of Tourists’ Attraction in Sivasagar in the map of World Tourism Heritage (1) Sivadol Ahom King Siva Singha built Sivadol in 1734 AD. It belongs to the Dvaikuita class. It containing two cells– a grabagriha and a mandapa. Over the grabagriha rises the sikhara with fluted vertical lines. The main sikhara is bordered by its replicas known as uramanjari.

Sivadol occupies an area of four and half acres. Its height is 104 feet and diameter is 195 feet. It is believed to be the tallest Shiva temple in the country.

Sivadol is capped by an eight feet high golden-dome known as kolosi on the topmost part of the dole. The kolosi fell off in the great earthquake of 1950.

But it was later placed in its unusual position. It was built three hundred years back and is a centre of attraction for all tourists for its gargantuan architectural structure and religious values.

The edifice of this dole was started by the Queen Ambika on the order of Lord Siva that appeared to her in dream. The significance of this temple is that both the linga and the yoni are worshiped together on a single piece of flat stone. The dol where the idol was placed is connected with the Sivasagar tank by a tunnel. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated here with great enthusiasm.

(2) Vishnudol Vishnudol is situated within the same campus of the Sivadol. The temple of Lord Vishnu is standing tall for last long three hundred years which carries an exceptional architectural value in itself. It is occupying an area of three acres.

Its height is 60 feet and diameter is 120 feet.

There is no any statue or sculpture of God present inside the temple.

‘Namghosa’ and other holy books of Vaishnavism are kept inside the temple which confirms the influence Vaishnavism in the temple. Prayer and naamkirtan are conducted in the month of Bhado. There is a Ram temple which is built in modern days and it is accompanied by a statue of Lord Ganesh.

(3) Devidol The Devidole is located adjacent to Sivadol and Vishnudol. It was devoted to Goddess of ‘Power’ Durga. It is occupying an area of two and half acres with its height 60 feet and diameter 120 feet. Durga Puja is celebrated here with great ardor. The “Bolisthal” is used only During Puja and Kali Puja. There is also a Sani Temple nearby it.

(4) Joydol One of the most famous and most beautiful temples built by the Ahom Kings at Sivasagar is the Joydol. It was constructed by Rudra Singha who dedicated to the memory of his mother Sati Joymati. The temple is popularly known as Kesavanarayan Vishnu Dol or Joydol. It is located at Rangpur which stands on the northern bank of the Joysagar.

The walls of Joydol are ornamented with figures of gods and goddesses’ dancing and amusement. One can also observe a statue of the King Rudra Singha mounted on a horse in the temple. Highly admired Sivadol and Devidol stands on either side of the temple.

Two small temples devoted to Ganesh and the Sun are located to the east of Joydol. The Bhog Ghar– a small brick structure adjacent to the core workroom which was meant for kitchen house is located on the southern side. While the

Baidyanath Sivadol in the northern side, the Ghanashyam Dol in the west side is situated.

(5) Sivasagar Tank (Borpukhuri) One of the imperative scenery of Sivasagar town is the three hundred year old Sivasagar tank. It is well-known as Borpukhuri too. It was constructed in 1734 AD covering an area of 130 acres, on the request of Queen Ambika– the second queen of the Ahom King Siva and named after him.

According to historian Mills it was built just in one night. It was originally sixtyfour feet in deepness. It is important to mention here that the embankment of the artificial water body keeps the water level to the height of around forty feet from the surrounding plain areas which bear witness to the advanced hydrology of the Ahom period as the level of the tank not at all changes and remains above the level of the town constantly.

The Borpuphuri is edging by three beautiful temples or dols. While the massive Sivadol stands on the southern shore, Vishnu dole on its eastern direction and Devi dole on its western side. At present it is the centre of District Administration and many parks, gardens, museums etc. as well.

It is worth mentioning here that Borpuphuri is the important habitats of migratory birds during the winter season.

(6) Joysagar The water body ‘Joysagar’ tank is situated at Rangpur– ‘the city of joy’. It is four km away to the west of Sivasagar. It was excavated by Ahom King Rudra Singha in 1697 AD to honor his mother Sati Joymati Konwari. It was completed in just forty-five days. It is the biggest artificial tank comprising a large area of 318 acres. The special feature of the tank is that the water level keeps on at 14 feet higher than ground level.

Joysagar is the largest of all the tanks built by any Ahom King in Assam considered as the largest man-made pond in the country as well. It was excavated on the place where Siulikpha convicted Sati Joymati through his

Chaodangs to find out information regarding her self exiled husband Gadadhar Singha known as Gadapani.

On the west bank of Joysagar Pukhuri, Ghanashyamdol known as ‘Nati Goshai Dol’ is located accompanied by four other dols viz., Ranganath Dol built in 1703 AD by Sargadeo Rudra Singha for Siva Puja; Fakua Dol built by Sargadeo Reheshwar Singha; Hargouri Dewaloi Dol for Siva-Parvati and Gauri Ballav Dol known as ‘Na-Goshai Dol’ built by Sargadeo Lakhi Singha.

Vishwanathdol known as Majordol is also located on the bank of Joysagar Pukhuri.

(7) Gourisagar Tank In 1734 AD, the Gourisagar tank was excavated covering an area of 150 acres. It is located at a distance of just 4 km in the west of the capital at Rangpur. It was by excavated by Queen Phuleswari Devi and dedicated to Goddess Durga.

Some of the renowned tourists’ attraction spots are– the Athai Sagar Pukhuri (Na-Pukhuri), Rudrasagar Pukhuri (Puroni Pukhuri) etc. A small stone bridge cut out of one single stone known as “Namdangar Silor Sako” is standing strong till date, which was constructed in the year 1703 AD by Ahom King Rudra Singha. A single piece of solid rock with a leg on each side of the Namdang River was used to construct this bridge.

(8) Rang Ghar The Rang Ghar is located at Rangpur Nagar which was once the capital of the Ahom Kingdom. It is a two storied brick built structure. A brick built KhelNao, an amusement boat ornamented the crest of the roof. The ground and first floor were constructed during the reign of Sargadeo Parmatha Singha in 1746 AD. It was planned for the Kings and his court to witness games and march pasts.

(9) Talatal Ghar The Talatal Ghar is a palace of seven stories including 3 underground floors.

Moreover it has 2 secret tunnels from the lowermost floor which are connected with the palace at Gargaon and the Dikhow River. The palace was built by of Rajeswar Singha. It is situated at Rangpur 3 miles away in the west of the present Sivasagar town.

(10) Kareng Ghar Kareng Ghar is situated at Garhgaon the ancient capital of the Ahom Kingdom which is about 15 km away from Sivasagar. The four storied royal palace was built by King Suqlang Mung in between 1530-1552 AD. However it was extended by Rajeshwar Singha later in 1762 AD. Kareng Ghar was surrounded by a brick wall about two miles in perimeter and the masonry gate leading to it. Twelve thousand workmen had been engaged in constructing for a year. It was supported by sixty-six wooden pillars of perimeter of about 4 yards. The length of the audience hall was 120 cubits and breadth 30 cubits.

(11) The Royal Tombs or Moidams The hemispherical in shaped tombs or moidams are the burial swell of Ahom Kings and other members of the royal families. Generally a burial mound contains a tomb wherein the mortal remains of the dead body are kept. They vary in sizes– starting from a modest mound to a height of small hill depending on the power, status and resources of the person covered. A larger tomb indicates the existence of a more commodities vault below.

The moidams are located at Charaideo about 30 km to the east of Sivasagar town. These are located at the foothills of a chain of low-lying hills; an outcome of the Naga hills covers an area of about 12 sq. km. It is surrounded by walls known as Garhs– Nimanagarh, Ladoigarh and Rajgarh in the eastern, southern and western sides respectably.

According to history, Charaideo was established as the first permanent capital of the Ahom Kingdom in 1253 AD by Chaolang Sukapha the founder of the dynasty. It is an honored place of worship for the Ahoms. This place was developed as an entombment ground for the Ahom Kings and nobles. From then onwards it came to be known as the ‘Jerusalem of Ahoms’. It was the duty of the successor King to bury the vessels used by the departed King along with all the articles of equipment and clothing with his dead body.

Sometimes the servants and attendants of the King and his elephant and horses were also buried along with him.

Some Major Upshots of the Research Paper The historical monuments of Sivasagar were very impressive for the people in common people. The impact of these monuments is evident from the fact that the succeeding architects and planners of Assam followed the old structure in construction of temples as the fixed style for the respective deities as they observed in the monuments of Ahom.

The perfect structures of the religious architecture of the beautiful monuments here at Sivasagar magnetize the foreign tourist. The palaces are ornamented appropriately. The largest collection of sculpture images is to be found in the portico of Joysagar temple at Rangpur which portrays the religious, secular and prospects of modern-day life.

The period of late-medieval Ahom architecture is a saga of irregular and incoherent building activities which completely failed to organize a strong building custom. As a result, the number of production of structures was limited that’s too without any ideal stylistic features.

Some Photographs

A figure of Durga slaying Mahishasura on the wall of Sibodol

Sibodol

Rang Ghar

Devidol

The terrace of Talatol Ghar

Talatol Ghar

Some Propositions for the Future Research The following are the propositions in order to enhance the archaeological sites of Sivasagar in the world culture.

1. It is necessary to conduct a research study about the archaeological sites of Sivasagar.

2. Positive participation of the local people for the development of the historical places will boost tourist potentiality.

3. It is vital to preserve the monuments, dols (temples) properly.

4. In the study area an eco-resort may be setup.

5. The places may be converted into nature paradise.

Conclusions The Ahom Kings had erected the palaces according to their pride and power which have a style in itself with architectural designs. These are standing tall till date. But the need of the hour is to perform maintenance work, which is something very rare view to be seen here. These are famous tourists’ attraction spot and possess historical values. So it is very essential to have a progress of the physical infrastructure of these historical palaces, tanks, etc.

There should be en extra efforts from every responsible person to pass the knowledge and importance of the origin and history of these to the upcoming generation so that it remains an attractive place for visiting tourists forever.

Promotion of tourism for those archaeological sites in Sivasagar district is possible through organizing seminars, documentation on the matter. The television media and print media have a big role to play in this regard in contemporary date.

The place Sivasagar has its striking tourist intentions and has its noteworthy place in World Heritage Tourism.

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