Assam is the most attractive state of North East India. This state is also very known for its wildlife, tea plantations, and natural beauty. Assam has the largest population of one-horned rhinos, which is more than 90% of the total population of India. In this post, we explore the Historical Places of Assam.
Many rulers from different dynasties ruled over this state. They contributed their unique art, culture, and architectural design. Assam has blessed with many historical places which are filled with wonderful history and stunning architectural works.
The period of Ahom rule(1228–1826) is one of the best chapters in the History of Assam. A richness of them spread in different parts of the present-day Sivasagar and many other districts underlines the richness of Ahom architecture.
The Ahom’s entered Assam and ruled Assam for nearly 600 years. The Ahoms arrived under the leadership of Swargadew Saulung Sukapha in the year 1228 AD. They are migrated from Mong-Mao or Mong Mao Ling (South-west Yunnan province in China). He established his first capital at Charaideo in the year of 1253 AD.
So, let’s start the journey of exploring some awesome and popular Historical Places of Assam.
List of Historical Places of Assam
Rang Ghar
The Rang Ghar is one of the most popular Historical places of Assam. It was the first and one of the oldest surviving amphitheaters in entire Asia.
The Rang Ghar was first constructed during the reign of Ahom Swargadeo (or King) Rudra Singha(Sukhrungphaa) (reigned 1696–1714). That was a two-storied building that was made from wood.
Later on, After the death of Rudra Singha, This building was rebuilt by his son Swargadeo(or King) Pramatta Singha(1744–1751) during his ruling era keeping the previous two-storeyed constructions with stone and brick.
The Rang Ghar was made as a pleasure house for the Royals members and to watch cultural programs and outdoor games. Certain games were shown publicly in the huge adjoining field. The king took the pleasure of the programs from the Rang Ghar which were performed under the appreciation of the king, while common people enjoyed them from the field, which was well known as Rupohi Pathar.
The Rang Ghar is located on Rangpur which is 3 km away from the center of Sivasagar Town.
Kareng Ghar: Historical Places of Assam
Kareng Ghar another famous and most beautiful Historical Monument in the Ahom period which is situated at Rangpur. Although most of the construction during the Ahom period has ruined Sivasagar, yet Kareng Ghar is shining the memories of the rich architectural development of medieval Assam at this place.
Kareng Ghar is also known as Garhgaon Palace which is at Garhgaon, near main Sivasagar town. A huge number of visitors visit this royal palace every year.
This Palace was built a total of three times by three different Ahom Kings.
This building was first built by Swargadeo Suklengmung(1539–1552) in the 1540 century with Wood and Bamboo.
Later on, It was reconstructed during the reign of Swargadeo Pramatta Singha(Sunenphaa)(1744–1751),(son of Rudra Singha) in 1751 using some brick and stones.
Again, Pramatta Singha’s younger brother and the new Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha (Suremphaa)(1751–1769) rebuilt it in the 1752 century AD due to the damaged of Kareng Ghar.
The Kareng Ghar we see today was built by Swargadeo Rajeshwar Singha.
This palace is a seven-storied brick building. Three out of them were built below the ground and the rest four, Kareng Ghar is above the surface. The upper storied of the palace is gradually smaller than the ground storied.
Location: 4 km away from present-day Sivasagar, Assam.
Talatal Ghar
Talatal Ghar is one of the grandest examples of Ahom architecture. That was one of the largest structural splendid of the Ahom kingdom.
The Talatal Ghar is a place that was initially built by Swargadeo Rudra Singha (Sukhrungphaa)(1696–1714) in 1698 AD as an army base.
The building is also known as the Underground Palace and was one of the largest monuments of the Ahom kingdom.
The Palace was rebuilt around 1752 century AD by Suremphaa or Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha. He added the three stories below ground, which make up the Talatal Ghar. This is made of brick and an indigenous type of cement which is a mixture of Bora Chaul( rice grain), eggs of swan, etc.).
The Talatal Ghar is a seven-storied palace. Where three of these storied are under the ground which was used as exit routes during the Ahom wars and the rest four-storied are above the ground.
There had two secret tunnels in the bottom of Talatal Ghar. One tunnel reached Kareng Ghar, which is situated 16 km away and another was to Dikhow river, which is situated 7 km away. But nowadays those roadways are blocked due to heavy clay jams.
This Palace was one of the major reason behind the success of Ahom Kingdom.
Location: 15 kilometres from Sivasagar, Assam, India.
Tezpur: Historical Places of Assam
Tezpur is another wonderful Historical Place of Assam.
The term Tezpur, in the district of Sonitpur, means the town of blood. The city acquired its name owing to a mythological history that is the epic story of the Usha-Aniruddha love and Hari-Hara war(War between Lord Krishna {Hari} and Shiva {Hara}).
According to the Indian epic Mahabharata, Tezpur was ruled by Bana Raja, his daughter Usha and the grandson of Lord Krishna, Anirudha, who fell in love with each other. Later, there was a war between Lord Krishna and Bana Raja, which happened in the Flood of Blood of many lives. Therefore this City got the name Tezpur {City of blood}.
Prime Historic Attractions of Tezpur:
Da Parbatia: Da Parbatia is a small village in Tezpur. In the village, there is significant architectural remnants of an ancient Shiva temple are found. These temples were built of bricks during the 6th century.
Agnigarh: Agnigarh is a hillock area. In the Sanskrit language, ‘Agni’ means fire, and ‘Garh means a wall that means Agnigarh is a wall of fire. As per Hindu mythology, it was built by ‘Banasura‘ to keep his daughter Usha in isolation.
There are many examples of Historic Attractions or architecture of Tezpur which are Agnigarh, The Hazara Pukhuri, Bamuni Hills, Dah Parvatiya, Mahabhairab Temple, etc.
Suryapahar
Sri Surya Pahar is a significant yet unknown archaeological site in the Gowalpara district of Assam, India. The site is a hilly terrain where several rock-cut Shiva lingas, votive stupas, and the deities of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain pantheon are scattered in an area of about one km.
According to Remains of Hinduism, The Meaning of the word Surja is Sun(Sun God) and Pahar is Hill, thus Suryapahar means the Hill associated with Sun God.
People say that 99999 Shiva Lingas were engraved there by Vyasa(known as the traditional author of the Mahabharata) in order to build up a second Kashi However, nowadays there are only 1000 of them from small to large in size. The Lingas are scattered everywhere there.
Remains of Buddhism and Jainism:
Some relics belonging to Buddhism and Jainism are also found in this area.
Location: about 12 km southeast of Goalpara town.
Deoparbat: Historical Places of Assam
Deoparbat is close to Kaziranga National Park. That is a hillock, housing stone, carvings and ruins of temples from the 8th and 9th centuries. The main Shiva temple of Deoparbar was destroyed in a major earthquake in 1897. As per the Satsari Buranji, there was a burial site of a Chutia king(Khunta raja) attached to Deopahar.
Location: about 5 km from the Numaligarh Refinery.
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