Archaeologists call for preservation of ponds, tanks

Guwahati: The archaeology enthusiasts, who recently discovered ruins of a brick wall of pre Ahom era fortification to save the kingdom from invaders, has sought the attention of Archaeological Survey of India for a systematic excavation of area to determine the date of the brick wall on the top of Narakasur Hills.

It is significant that Guwahati served as the capital of the Kamrupa kingdom and continued as the capital city of Assam till the 10-11th century AD under the Pala dynasty. In the mediaeval times (12-15th century), however, the city functioned as a strategic outpost of the Koch Hajo and Ahom kingdoms of western and eastern Assam.

Pointing out that central to its existence are also several ponds and tanks built at different time periods and have significant archaeological importance, the Archaeology Survey of India however admits that most of these ponds, built by kings, were constructed as acts of piety or service to the people but now needs to be preserved and protected.

The team of archaeological enthusiasts led by a doctor Satyakam Phukan who discovered the historic brick walls has also recorded extensive archaeological ruins on the Narakasur Hills during the exploration of the hills.

At many places along the crest of the hills, the team could uncover many brick structures hidden under the soil. Mr Phukan said that along the crest of the hills, remains of an extensive wall, possibly some ancient fortification, can be ascertained. Remains of the brick structure were evident all along the track, he said.

The experts feared that many people have started settling in the area and ongoing earth cutting may cause serious damage to these historical reminiscences.

“These ruins were never explored neither during the British era nor in the post-Independence era of India by any authority. But we are certain that systematic archaeological exploration will bring to light many hitherto unknown facts about the history and archaeology of Guwahati and Assam,” said Mr Phukan who in a letter to the State’s Director of Archaeology, has also requested to initiate necessary steps for undertaking systematic archaeological exploration of the site.

The archaeology enthusiasts pointed out that there were a number of ponds and tanks in the city that came up at different times and held tremendous importance. Thanks to the apathy of the government and the public, many of these ponds have succumbed to encroachment. Localities such as Durgasarobar near the Kamakhya temple and the Ganesh temple in Ganeshguri area once had tanks or ponds that have now disappeared.

According to eminent Assamese writer and historian, Kumudeswar Hazarika, there were about 300 tanks in Guwahati and North Guwahati when the two were a single entity until the British occupied Assam in 1893 and people used to drink water from them. A majority of them, however, were filled up by the British.