Assam’s Architectural Heritage (Assam History & Art Notes)
Architectural remains belonging to periods from early medieval days can be found in scattered historic ruins and ancient temples, in many places of Assam, including Tezpur, Bongaigaon, Guwahati, Sivasagar, Hajo, Goalpara, Nagaon, Golaghat etc. Assam’s historical architecture is greatly influenced by its cultural contact with adjacent regions of present-day Bangladesh and Burma, yet maintaining its firm cultural relation with mainland India. The architectural heritage of Assam can be easily perceived when seen through the lens of how various dynasties ruled over the land of Assam. There are literary and epigraphic records referring to architectural activities related to the building of secular and religious buildings in Pre-Ahom Assam.
The Kalika Purana mentions some important cities of ancient Assam. Pragjyotishapura which is termed as giri-durga by the Kalika Purana. The Bhagavata Purana also describes the city as being inaccessible due to its strong defense, both by nature and man. Other cities mentioned by Kalika Purana are- Alaka, Chandravati, Bhogavati, Varasana and Sonitapura.
Architecture in Pre-Ahom Period
The earliest evidence of architecture in Assam dates back to the Gupta Period, during the rule of the Varman dynasty in Kamarupa. The Gupta idiom is visible in most of the architectural works belonging to the period of the Varmans as the kingdom of Kamarupa shared a close proximity with the Gupta mainland, especially the western most part of the kingdom of Kamarupa. Buildings with exquisite Gupta carvings have been found in the neighbourhood of Guwahati and Tezpur.
Da-Parbatia, an ancient village near Tezpur has ruins of two ancient temples, one belonging to the 5th or 6th century, on which another temple was constructed during the Ãhom rule. Amidst the lush greenery and the snow-capped Himalayas, the temple ruins show a square-shaped Garbhagriha (sanctum) while the mandap (outer gallery) is rectangular. The site is a major attraction with a well depicted Hellenistic style of sculptures and figurines that resemble Gupta style.
From almost the beginning of the Varman dynasty in the 5th century to the end of the Salastambha dynasty in the 10th century, the architectural remains can be traced in and around Tezpur. Another historical marvel from the Salasthamba period is the Rock-cut Caves in Bongaigaon. The five rock-cut caves have a brick and mud masonry made platform, which was built during a later period. The art and architecture of the caves is an exemplary example of the kind that was practiced during the time. Although not much is known about these caves, one of the best preserved caves has a length of 1.90 meters and comes with a rounded verandah with a flight of steps, unlike the other caves.
The Bargaon Inscription mentions another fortress city named Durjaya or Sri Durjaya which points to its invincible defense power. The Nagaon grant of Balavarman mentions that king Vanamala had erected a palace both aesthetically beautiful and functionally efficient.
Hieun Tsang in the 7th century mentioned about some hundred of deva temples in Kamarupa. The Yogini Tantra mentions the sacred tirtha of Apunarbhava which was adorned by several temples. The Umachal rock inscription is the earliest epigraphic record to mention about a rock cut shrine dedicated to lord Balabhadrasvamin. Tezpur grant of Vanamala refers to the rebuilding of the Hatakasulin temple. The Gachtal grant of Gopala refers to king Indrapala as having constructed the white washed temples of Sambhu.There are references to religious establishment under Buddhism and Jainism. Initiated by the Varmans of Kamarupa (4th to 7th century) architectural activities continued to develop and prosper. It had similarities with the Imperial Guptas as they both patronized Brahmanical culture. The architectural activities continued during the times of the Salastambhas and the Palas and by the second half of the 12th century, it had almost passed into obscurity.
Architecture in Ahom Period
Ahoms established their cultural and economic stability in the region for over six centuries, which can be seen in their monuments in the town of Sivasagar. The town has over 170 tanks, depicting a typical style of architecture. The most famous heritage sites of Assam, Kareng Ghar, and Talatal Ghar are historical treasures of this period. In the former capital Rangpur, Swargeo Rudra Singha built a palace from organic bricks, which was later further constructed into a seven-story palace by his successor Rajeshwara; the three ground storeys are known as ‘Talatal Ghar’ while the rest four-storey structure is called ‘Kareng Ghar’. Another construction by King Swargdeo is a remarkable two-storey structure of the Ahom period, called Rang Ghar. It is a royal sports pavilion also used for cultural programs and to watch the traditional ‘bull-fights’. The main entrance has two stone carved crocodiles while the interiors are decorated with magnificent sculptures.
In this second phase of temple architecture, inclination towards Hinduism was observed with the erection of Hindu temples, especially devoted to Goddess Durga. Subsequently temple architecture adopted the “Nilãcala type” in the construction of Jai Dol. Though Islamic influence is seen, the indigenous do-chala typed gained prominence. The style reached its zenith during the period of Siva Singha, after the construction of the tallest historical monument in Assam, the Siva Temple at Sivasagar. Like the pre-Ãhom period, the temples of this period also have an Indo-Aryan influence, consisting of Garbhagriha, Vimana, Sikhara, and Mandap.
Of the secular structure, tanks excavated during the Ahom period is an outstanding example. Most of the tanks are associated with kings. Excavation of tanks was considered the highest act of piety and was popularly known as sagar. Besides the tanks, other secular structures were the ramparts, barricades, road-cum-bunds and others.
The Maidams are another architectural wonder credited to the Ahoms. These are burial mounds, which appear hemispherical in shape from the exterior and at the same time they vary in size. The size of the maidam depends on the power, status and resources of the deceased person. The vault inside the maidam holds the mortal remains of the dead.
Ahom architecture reached its zenith during the reign of Siva Singha. His projects at Gaurisagar and Sibsagar produced the largest edifices of the period. The Gaurisagar tank was excavated and also laid the construction of three temples with independent boundary with a central alignment. The three temples were consecrated to Devi, Siva and Visnu. The largest and finest of the 3 temple is the Devi temple which can claim to be the first temple of nagara style built in brick. The Devi daul consisted of a nagara style type having a pancaratna Vastupurusamandala. It has an antarala and a spacious mandapa of the Assamese do chala type. The Siva temple and the Visnu temple are a nilacala type of structure.
Islamic influence on Architecture
In the western parts of Assam, Mughal advances are marked by three Muslim monuments: Rangamati mosque near Gauripur, Pach Piran Dargah, and Mirijumlar Masjid. Architecture of Assam has the greatest influence from the Indo-Aryan style of architecture that was predominant since the pre-Ãhom period. However, due to the Mughal rule in mainland India, the religious buildings of late medieval Assam highlight the Islamic style influence. The Hindu temples were designed using Saracenic principles by masons experienced in Islamic architecture.
Some of the most noteworthy secular building architecture are three monuments that were built during the Ãhom period- the Rang Ghar, the Talatal Ghar, and the Kareng Ghar. The Rang Ghar is built in Islamic style for the members of the then royal family. However, the Talatal Ghar is built in the Mughal style and the Kareng Ghar is built in the South-Asiatic style.
Architecture in Koch Dynasty
During the reign of King Naranãrãyana and his brother Chilãrãi, the dynasty reached its epitome of glory. The king built the Kamakhya temple on Nilachal hill, in 1565 AD over ruins that date back to even before the pre-Ãhom period. The ‘Nilachala style’ originated from this temple, which used a more Islamic style ignoring the IndoAryan style of architecture.
Architecture in Jayantia and Kachari Dynasty
The Kacharis had its first capital in Dimapur and then later shifted to Maibong and Khaspur. The monuments, monolithic hut, and rock-cut temples of these days resemble a typical Bengal do-chala structure. The Kachari architecture grew heavily under Bengal’s influence and ended with the decline of the Kachari rule. The Kachari Fort built during this time depicts the noteworthy architecture and a mix of Non-Aryan and Hinduism culture.
