Mithun Dey
A couple of months back, May this year, I along with my family left for Sibsagar, an ancient city known as the capital of the Ahom and the cultural capital of the state. The most notable landmark of the town is Sibsagar Tank which was built almost 200 years back. The literal meaning of the town is ‘The Ocean of Lord Shiva’ and the city offers a rendevous through the cultural history of Assam.
We resumed our journey through this epic city and visited the three dols which Sibsagar is famed for, the Shivadol, the Vishnudol and the Devidol. The temples were built by Bar Raja Ambika, the consort of the Ahom King Swargadeo Siba Singha in 1734. The greatness of the Shivadol is that it was mainly made of Bora Chaul, duck eggs and matikolor dali instead of using cement and sand. Moreover, we were informed by some local teachers that the Shivadol was also made of Borali machor mur and hahor mur . The Shivadol is believed to be the tallest Shiva temple here in India.
Next we decided to visit the famous Ghars viz. Rang Ghar, Talatal Ghar and Kareng Ghar. Both Talatal and Kareng Ghar were built by King Rudra Singha during the year 1696-1714 and is located 6 km away from the main part of the town. The Talatal Ghar, a giant seven storied structural palace is magnificent. Talatal and Kareng was the place of military station of the Ahom Kings. When you look at such magnifiecent structures which remind you of the yesteryears, the years filled with so much history, a site brimming with tradition and culture and observe their present state, it will just break your heart. The monuments are not maintained duly and who knows one fine day just topple over.
Rang Ghar was built by King Pramatta Singha in year 1746. The double-storied, oval shaped amphitheatre is considered as the oldest amphitheatre in Asia. It was used by the Ahom Kings to witness animals fights and to enjoy various other local sports as well. Bihu was celebrated in all its grandeur amidst these walls and the nobels around that period enjoyed in revelling in such festivities. The Central Goverment has taken the responsibility of taking care of this historical site. The Joysagar is a lake that is situated on the fringes of the town of Sibsagar in Assam. The lake is not a natural one but was created by one of the Ahom rulers. The lake is reputed to be one of the largest man made lakes of the country. We rested for a while and let our taste buds take a journey at a small eating joint and then we decided to go for a pleasurable boat ride.
The town is strewn with the tell-tale stories of a powerful
past. Bathed in the scenic splendor of nature, Sibsagar, the modern name of an ancient town, now throbs with the activities of full-fledged industrial town.
A senseof pride fills my heart when I look at this town, a signature etched in glorious history.
( This article was published in Melange, The Sentinel on Sunday, 24.07.2011 )
