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Assam

Devidol, Gaurisagar

Devidol ((Dol means temple) is the biggest among the three temples of Gaurisagar temple complex. The temple was built with stone and brick,Devidol, Gaurisagar plastering with lime surkhi. Built by Phuleswari Devi, the chief queen of king Siva Singha (1714-44 CE), the temple was consecrated to Devi (goddess Durga). The temple has a fully developed axial plan, including the garbhagriha, antarāla and a mukhamandapa. The antarala connects garbhagriha with mandapa. Plan of the garbhagriha is of pancharatha order. The temple possesses a nagara sikhara over the garbhagriha and clustered by four angasikharas in four cardinal directions. There are three low off-set projections on plan which are carried over the body of the sikhara up to the level of the mastaka which consists of a series of a malakas.

The four angasikharas are also crowned with successive tiers of amalakas. The bada is constructed of stone and has three tier horizontal mouldings at the level of the plinth and at the cornice. The exterior walls of the vimana are decorated with various divine figures. The mandapa is square on plan and covered by do-chala roof. The temple is surrounded by an ancient enclosure wall. It can claim to be the first brick built temple of the nagara type of the Ahoms, as the predecessors of Siva Singha did not attempt to build single nagara type temples and the earlier kings restricted their work only to renovation of medieval stone nagara temples.

Devidol, Joysagar

devidol 2Built by the Ahom King Rudra Singha (1696-1714 CE), this small brick temple was consecrated to goddess Durga. Rectangular on plan, the temple is typically a, do-chala Assamese hut like structure. The main shrine is 7.74 m high. A small south facing mukhamandapa is annexed with the main temple. To look after the everyday chores of the temple, King Rudra Singha had appointed six khels (Khel is a group of the people who were assigned to do specific job during the Ahom reign), who were under a supervising officer, known as Gosain Dewalayar Barua.

Devidol, Sivasagar

deviol 3Devidol was dedicated to Devi (goddess Durga) and built by QueenAmbika Devi, one of the chief queens of king Siva Singha (1714-44 CE). The main shrine is 19.56 m high. On axial plan, the temple consists of garbhagriha with an attached mukhamandapa. The main shrine was made of stone up to the level of the bada and the bada is surmounted by a brick built śikhara. The sikhara of the temple is domical, topped by tiers of amalakas and surrounded by eight angasikharas. The plinth has four off-set projections between the bhadras which are carried up to the level of the cornice only. The bada has three tier horizontal mouldings at the plinth as well as at the cornice level. The walls of the bada have niches accommodating iconographic representations of different deities. The mukhamandapa of the temple was built with brick masonry and covered by do-chalaroof.

Eight cannons of the Ahoms period, Joysagar, Sivasagar

eightThe Ahoms had different kinds of cannons in their artillery. These cannons were known as Mitha-holong Top, Bagh-mara Top, Tubuki Bartop, Hatimuriya Bartop, Biyagom Bartop etc. Ahoms probably started to make cannons from the time of King Suhummung or Dihingia Raja (1497-1539 CE) and up to the reign of Rudra Singha (1696-1714 CE), they made many cannons. After Rudra Singha, the tradition of making cannon gradually declined. Some of these cannons are displayed on the octagonal platform of the Talatalghar complex at Joysagar. These are of various sizes. The biggest cannon measures 5.70 m in length and has a circumference of 3 m. These are made in between 1668 CE to 1693 CE (1590-1615 Saka), as mentioned in the inscriptions on some cannons.

Gaurisagar Tank

tankExcavation of tanks was a notable feature of the public works systemunder the Ahoms. They believed that excavating tanks is one of the greatest acts of piety. The tanks are usually very large in dimension and popularly known as sagar (sea). In Ahom Chronicles it is mentioned that the selection of the site for a proposed tank depended on an expert known as maticheleka> or the soil tester who undertook a scientific experiment for locating a perennial spring for keeping the water level of the tank constant. Another noticeable feature is that most of the tanks excavated by the Ahom rulers still maintain a water level much higher than the topography of the land around them.

 

Ghanashyam's House

HouseThis exuberantly carved edifice was built by Ahom king Rudra Singha (1696- 1714 CE). It consists of a walled area having a gate house, a flat-roofed structure with a verandah in one of its sides and a barrack with a few chambers. The monument was dedicated to the name of the architect 'Ghanashyam', who built the masonry buildings, temples and other structures at Joysagar locality. The monument is made of brick masonry and rectangular on plan. Islamic influence can be observed both in layout and execution of the monument. Though the monument outwardly resembles a Bengal ekratna structure, it also contains a mehrab in its north wall, typically found in mosques. The main structure is embellished with superb terracotta work consisting of trellises, creepers, flowers and a number of gods and goddess depicting different anthological episodes.

Gola-Ghar or Magazine House

gola gharThis is a rectangular brick hut with do-chala roof. A mukhamandapa(porch) is adjoined with the house. The mukhamandapa is short in height and width. It exists axially and is attached to the southern gable-end. Popularly known as Gola-Ghar, this hut is said to be used as magazine house during Ahom period. This magazine house was built during the reign of Chakradhwaj Singha (1663-1669 CE).

 

Group of Four Maidams

fourThere are four Maidams under the Archeological Survey of India atCharaideo. These are Maidam No.1, No.2, No.3 and No.4. Though Maidams are found in all the districts of Upper Assam, Charaideo, the first capital of Ahoms was the necropolis of almost all the Ahom Royals. Ahoms traditionally buried their dead. The Maidams are the burial mounds of the Ahom kings, queens and nobles. The word Maidam is derived from the Thai word Phrang mai-dam or mai-tam.

Phrang mai means to put into the grave or to bury and dam means the spirit of the dead. The exterior façade of the Maidams is hemispherical in shape. A Maidam consists of three major features: a massive vault or chamber, a hemispherical earthen mound covering the chamber with a brick structure (Chow-Chali) over it for annual offerings and an octagonal boundary wall around the base of mound having an arched gateway on its west.

Karenghar (Talatalghar)

karengarTalatalghar means a house having several storeys. It was the citadel of Ahom power with all its pomp and dignity. Tatatalghar, the palace, was originally a seven storeyed building, four above and three below the ground. Ahom chronicles (Buranajis) mentions that originally the palace was constructed by King Rudra Singha (1696-1714 CE) with semi-permanent and impermanent materials. It was renovated and transformed into the permanent brick structure by the Ahom King Rajeswar Singha (1751-1769 CE). The present edifice of brick masonry was plastered with lime surkhi.

 

Ranghar

The Ranghar is a double-storeyed, oval-shaped amphitheatre with arangharroof which is shaped like an inverted boat. This unique royal pavilion of Ahom kings is symbolised as the pride of the Ahom kingdom. It was used as a platform for enjoying sports and games like wrestling, buffalo fight, elephant fight, falconry etc. King Rudra Singha (1696-1714 CE), who built the Rangpur city, also built the Ranghar with impermanent materials (timber and thatch), but the present brick structure is assigned to his successor King Pramatta Singha (1744-1751 CE).

 

Sivadol, Gaurisagar

Entirely built of bricks, Sivadol was built by Phuleswari Devi, the chiefsivadolqueen of Ahom king Siva Singha (1714-44 CE). The temple was dedicated to Lord Siva. The temple consists of garbhagriha and mukhamandapa. Rising on an octagonal plinth, the garbhagriha has four off-sets between the bhadra projections which are carried right up to the cornice level. The sikhara of the temple is domical with several vertical ridges adorned by angaśikharas. Both the sikhara and angasikharas are crowned with successive tires of amalakas. The floor level of the garbhagriha is comparatively lower than the mukhamandapa. The walls of the bada have niches accommodating iconographic representations of different deities. The temple is surrounded by an ancient enclosure wall.

Sivadol, Joysagar

Built by the Ahom King Rudra Singha (1696-1714 CE), Sivadol was joysagardedicated to lord Siva. The temple is popularly known as Vaidyanath Siva temple. This brick built temple stands on a square plinth. The main shrine is 16.85m high. The temple is comprised of a garbhagriha and a small mukhamandapa. The sikhara of the temple is domical with several vertical ridges meeting at the apex. The apex of the sikhara is crowned with successive tires of amalakas and topped by a kalasa with an ayudha of the deity. There are four domical angasikharas lies in four cardinal directions of sikhara. The vimana of the temple is cubical in form that contains several devokosthas (alcoves) enshrining many divinities. The mukhamandapa, attached to the front side of the temple, has Assamese hut type roof. There was an ancient enclosure wall in this temple.

 

Sivadol, Sivasagar

The graceful temple of brick and stone masonry was constructed by thesivasagar Ahom king Siba Singha AD 1714-44). It is one of the tallest among the Ahom temples in Assam. The temple stands on the southern bank of Sibasagar tank and aligned in north-south direction. The temple is comprised of garbhagriha, antarala and mandapa. The plan of the garbhagriha is octagonal and is made of ashlar masonry stones up to the vimana. The floor of the garbhagriha is comparatively in lower level. The outer walls are decorated with sculptures of various Brahmanical gods and goddesses, geometric and floral designs.

The sikhara is typically curved in rekhanagara style and adorned with four angasikharas at the four corners. The apex of the sikhara is crowned with successive tires of kalasas and topped by ayudha of the deity. The mandapa is also built with brick masonry with char-chala covering and topped by tires of amlakas similar to the main sikhara. There is an ancient enclosure wall and a gateway to enter into the temple complex.

The Ahom Raja's Palace

The Royal Palace at Garhgaon is a fine specimen of the Ahomraja's palacearchitecture. Garhgaon was one of the principal capitals of the Ahom kings from the reign of King Sulkengmung (1539-1552 CE) or Garhgayan Raja. It is believed that the Royal Palace was first built by King Sulkengmung with wood and other impermanent materials in c.1540 CE.

The present brick built chariot like palace was reconstructed and enlarged with an underground tunnel connecting the palace with that at Rangpur in 1752 CE by King Rajeswar Singha (1751- 1769 CE). King Pramatta Singha (1744-1751 CE) constructed a brick wall and masonry gateway in the capital complex.

 

Vangchhia Group of Monuments

There are about 180 menhirs of different sizes in Vangchhia (Includingvangchhia broken pieces). The maximum size of the menhir is 1.5 m (width) x 30cm thickness. These menhirs are full of carvings and embossings of different forms. They are found to portray rows of human figures, heads of mithun, deers, other animals, circles probably gongs, weapons, and alike. Besides, there is one main human being holding spear and wearing a head dress locally called chhawndawl and areke-ziak which is supposed to be put on by those persons, who have killed enemies in the war, depicted along with animals, human beings, heads of mithun, deers which might have been killed by him, circles probably gongs, weapons probably used by him for killing these beasts and enemies and alike. Sometimes the said human figure is shown without head dress. As per local beliefs, legends and myths, these menhirs are raised as memorial stones wherein heroes have been depicted along with animals & human beings which have been killed during the life time of the hero.

Vishnudol, Gaurisagar

Built by Phuleswari Devi, the chief queen of the Ahom king Siva Singhavishnudol (1714-1744 CE), the temple was dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is an imitation of the Joydol of Joysagar. Made of brick masonry, this is a nilachala style (a domical sikhara with honeycomb designs) temple. The main shrine is 17.4m high. The temple has fully developed axial plan, including garbhagriha, antarala and mukhamandapa. Stand on an octagonal plinth, the garbhagriha have off-set projections and horizontal mouldings at the plinth and the cornice levels. The śikhara of the garbhagriha is clustered by eight angasikharas. The sikhara is surmounted only by a single stupika. The mandapa is square on plan. The exterior walls of the temple are carved with figures of many deities. The temple stands within an ancient enclosure wall.

 

Vishnudol, Joysagar

Popularly known as Joydol (dol means temple), Vishnudol wasjoysagar 2dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The presiding deity of the temple was known as Keshavaraya Vishnu. In 1698 CE, The Ahom King Rudra Singha (1696-1714 CE) built this temple in the memory of his mother Joymati. The temple was constructed of stone and brick and plastered with lime surkhi. The temple has fully developed axial plan, including garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), antarala (vestibule) and mukhamandapa (porch). The plan of the garbhagriha is octagonal. This is a nilachala style (a domical sikhara with honeycomb designs) temple. The sikhara (roof) is of about 30.48 m high and has 12 miniature sikhara surrounding the main sikhara at the cornice level.

The apex of the sikhara is crowned with successive tires of amalakas and topped by a kalasa with an ayudha of the deity. The temple has a square mandapa which is connected with the garbhagriha through an antarala. The exterior walls of the main shrine are richly carved with figures of various deities, mainly the forms of various incarnation of Vishnu. A small brick structure with do-chala roof, popularly known as Bhog ghar (kitchen house), stands to the southern side of the temple. There are two small temples lying behind the main temple which are known as Surya and Ganesh temple respectively.

Vishundol, Sivasagar

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Vishnudol (Dol means temple) was built bysivasagar 2 Queen Ambika Devi, one of the chief queens of king Siva Singha (1714-44 CE). The main shrine is 21.9m high. The temple consists of garbhagriha, antarala and mandapa as axial units. The temple is a nilachala style temple. The plan of the garbhagriha is octagonal and covered by a domical sikhara with honeycomb designs and clustered by eight angasikharas. The main shrine was made of stone up to the level of the bada which is surmounted by a brick built sikhara. The apex of the sikhara is crowned with successive tires of amalakas and topped by a kalasa with an ayudha of the deity.

The plinth has four off-set projections between the bhadras which are carried up to the level of the cornice only. The bada has three tier horizontal mouldings at the plinth as well as at the cornice level. The walls of the bada have niches accommodating iconographic representations of different deities. The mandapa and antarala were built with brick masonry. The mandapa is aligned in east-west direction. The do-chala roof of mandapa is typically resembled with Assamese hut type roof. To look after the everyday chores of the temple, King Siva Singha and Queen Ambika Devi had appointed twelve khels (Khel is a group of the people who were assigned to do specific job during the Ahom reign) who were supervised by the two officers: Bora and Vishnudolar Barua.

Source: Must See Indian Heritage

Last Modified : 7/9/2020



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