Sivasagar - Ahom Kings Royal Palaces and Tombs

Bathed in then scenic splendor of nature, Sivasagar, the modern name of an ancient town, now throbs with the activities of full-fledged industrial town. Nevertheless, the district can still conjure up images of historic wonder and obtained its pinnacle during the reign of Ahom kings. This is the place from which the Ahoms ruled the whole province of Assam from 1228 to 1826. Presently, Sivasagar presents the unique spectacle of industrial transformation of a silent town in the backdrop of relics of bygone days. Situated at a distance of 350 kilometers from Guwahati , Sivasagar (earlier known as Rongpur) was the capital of Ahom Kingdom since 1699 to 1788. The town, dedicated to Lord Siva-its name literally meaning the ocean of siva- is strewn with tell-tale ruins of a powerful empire.

How to reach

One can reach Sivasagar by Air, Rail and Road.
Air: Nearest Airport Jorhat is only 55 kms away.
Rail: Nearest Railhead is Simaluguri (16 km)
Road: Deluxe bus services (both day & night) are available from Guwahati and other important towns.

Places to See

Kareng Ghar & Talatal Ghar

About four kilometers south to Sivasagar town, the seven storied Kareng ghar, the capital and the military station of the Ahom kings, is situated. First constructed by the Ahom king Rudra Singha in 1700, alterations, additions and new constructions of this palace were made by the successors of Swargadeo Rudra Singha. The Talatal ghar made of brick and an indigenous type of cement was constructed by the king Rajeswar Singha. Its a building of seven stories-four above and three below the ground-over and above the two underground ways-the one leading to the Dikhow river is about three kilometers in length while the other leading to the Gargaon palace is about 16 kilometers in length which were later blocked by the East India Company.

Rang Ghar

A little distance towards the North-east from this royal palace and by the side of the Assam-Trunk Road stands another imposing two storied building. This is Rang Ghar, the royal sports pavilion of Ahom kings which was constructed during the reign of Swargadeo Prmatta Singha in 1746.

Gargaon Palace

The principal capital of the Ahom kings was constructed by the 15th Ahom king Suklengmung in the year 1540. The structures were made of wood and stones. It lies 14 kilometers to the east of Sivasagar town and three kilometers west of Simaluguri Railway Station near Nazira. The present surviving brick palace of seven storeys was rebuilt by Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha in 1752. Swargadeo Pramatta Singha constructed the brick wall of about five kilometers in length, surrounding the Gargaon palace, and the masonry gate in 1774.

Charaideo

The tombs of Ahom kings and queens at Charaideo hillock which are comparable to the pyramids of Egypt are, even in the present time of astounding scientific progress and development, objects of wonder revealing the superb skill of sculptors and the fine form of architecture of Assam in those days. About 30 kilometers from Sivasagar town towards the east and the at the foothills of Nagaland, the first capital of the Ahom kingdom was established by the Swargadeo Sukapha. This is also the place of ancestral Gods of the Ahoms and the sacred burial ground of the monarchs. The brick floor and stone pillers of "Deo Sal" are still lying on the submit of the hillock Deo Sal in Dol Bagam.

Sivasagar Tank

In 1734, the second queen of Siva Singha got the Sivasagar tank dug to commemorate the victory of her husband, and named the tank as Sivasagar tank. The tank covers an area of 129 acres of land including the four banks. The area of the tank is 257 acres of land. Although situated within the heart of the town, the water level of the tank is above the level of the town. On its bank are three temples -the Sivadol, the Vishnu dol and the Devi dol. The Sivadol is believed to be highest Siva temple in India. Its height is 104 feet and the perimeter is 195 feet, at the base. It is capped by an eight feet high golden-dome.

Joysagar Tank

The largest tank in India and perhaps the biggest man-made tank in the world comprising an area of 318 acres of land including its four banks, out of which 155 acres, is filled with crystal clear water. An earthen water pipeline runs from this tank to the Rangpur palace( Kareng ghar) which is about two kilometers in length, for supplying water of this tank to the Royal Palace.