Sivasagar
This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content. |
Excavations
Status in 2020
Much of Assam’s architectural marvels were built during the reign of Ahom kings – from 1228 to 1838 – who were known for building monuments that required advanced engineering skills to stay standing on a quake-prone zone. Most of these have survived several earthquakes, including a devastating one in 1950, but fighting encroachment is proving harder. At Sivasagar, capital of the Ahoms, tea gardens now grow over maidams — pyramid-style structures where the nobility was buried with their possessions and which were often plundered for their riches. But it’s not just foliage covering historically significant monuments, illegal construction of houses is rampant too.
Bhuvan Vikram, superintending archaeologist of ASI’s Guwahati circle, admitted that illegal construction exists around several monuments. He said the administration has to start by demarcating places of historical value. Conservationists say that fighting encroachment over such a huge area —Sivasagar district is 2,66,800 hectares — will be a challenge. According to estimates, over 500 maidams exist in Sivasagar and at least 50 of them are now hidden in tea gardens.
Conservationists also say that along with Sivasagar, neighbouring district Charaideo — the first capital of the Ahoms — should be developed. Conservationist Zakirul Alom said, “Encroachments have to be cleared to develop them as a prime tourist attraction,” said Alom.
