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| Ahom Raja's Palace |
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History
Also known as the Garhgaon Raja’s Palace, Ahom Raja’s Palace is situated in the Sivasagar city in Assam. Excavations at this site started in the year 2007-08 to explore the cultural progression of this splendid compound. During the course of excavation, an enormous burnt brick wall running in the north-south direction was unearthed partially. The construction is such that today only its foundation remains and it is clear that the building was plundered.
The uncovered wall is 11.75 metre long and 2.65 metre wide, and is made with brickbat and is held up from both sides by bricks-on-edge. Further, a round fireplace with stretched out mouth has been excavated, which is 90 cm long and 68 cm wide, along with an internal space of 40 cm. Besides these, remnants of two giant spherical wooden posts have also been discovered during these excavations with the existing diameter of the posts being 25 cm.
Garhgaon was the prime seat of the Ahoms for over four centuries. The annals of history reveal that the 15th Ahom king, Suklengmung, founded the capital at Garhgaon and built a fortress with wood and other transient material in the year 1540 A.D. Later, King Pramatta Singha made a brick wall and stonework entrance in the capital compound for further beautification of the place. The current multi-storeyed structure was constructed in 1752 A.D. by King Rajeswar Singha. The fortification and the regal compound of Ahom Raja’s Palace were ruined and spoiled as for building various other monuments the raw materials were taken from this monument. Ahom Raja’s Palace is a four-storied structure set in steadily retreating tiers with the top floor having a dome like top with a chamber. Further, it also had four watch towers formerly, out of which today only two exists. The ground floor even has three west oriented halls and have a front and a rear chamber as well.
Today, the structural relics in this fortified compound rest as a voiceless evidence of the glory of the Ahom kings.
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Best time to visit
October to April is said to be the best time to visit Ahom Raja’s Palace.
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Trivia
The ceramic trade present in this site is dominated by buffish wares and red wares and a few different types of grey wares, which are offered in average and common fabrics and sporadically applied with a slip of purchase. Pottery is also a famed art here while using the wheel-turned made stuff, but to the dismay of the tourists not much handmade pottery is available now.
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Timing
The place is open from sunrise to sunset
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Travel Tools
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