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Built in the 18th century, Rangghar in Sivasagar is Asia’s first amphitheatre. This octagonal, two-storey structure was made using unique materials like jaggery, black gram, and elephant grass. It was a royal arena for sports and entertainment.
Talatal Ghar, also in Sivasagar, is the largest Ahom monument. This seven-storey palace had three underground floors with secret tunnels for escape during attacks. Though the underground chambers are sealed, visitors can still explore the upper levels.
Sivasagar is surrounded by medieval tanks or “sagars.” These water bodies, created using indigenous technology, maintain water levels even during dry seasons, showcasing the engineering skills of the Ahom era.
The maidams at Charaideo are pyramid-like royal vaults. These structures, with domed superstructures and earthen mounds, serve as the burial sites for Ahom royalty, reflecting the grandeur of the Ahom civilization.
Near Tezpur, the Da-Parbatia Temple ruins feature the oldest and finest sculptural art in Assam. The door frame, adorned with goddesses Ganga and Yamuna, exemplifies the early Gupta School of sculpture.
The ruins of Madan Kamdev, located 40 km from Guwahati, date back to the 9th and 10th centuries. This site, with its remnants of 12 temples and erotic sculptures, is often compared to the famous Khajuraho temples.
Suryapahar, 136 km from Guwahati, is an archaeological site with Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain relics. The site features Shiva Lingas, Buddhist stupas, and Jain sculptures, indicating a multi-religious past.
Deoparbat near Kaziranga holds the ruins of an 8th-century Shiva temple, while Ambari in Guwahati has revealed artifacts from two distinct cultural periods (7th-12th AD and 13th-17th AD). These sites provide a glimpse into Assam’s ancient history.