Negheriting temple

April 30: Golaghat district is losing its archaeological treasures because of alleged indifference by Dispur.

Sources in the district administration alleged that repeated requests to the state government to take urgent steps to preserve the remnants of history in its three subdivisions of Dhansiri, Bokakhat and Golaghat had gone unheeded.

The district on the Assam-Nagaland border has a plethora of artefacts, monuments, inscriptions, statues of Shiva and Vishnu, ancient ruins and temples, most of which remain largely “unattended and neglected” till date.

“We have sent reminders and are hopeful that Dispur will respond positively. It has become absolutely necessary to take up preservation work, otherwise it might be too late,” a district administration official said.

Though some of the artefacts recovered from Dubarani and Rajapukhuri areas in Dhansiri subdivision are preserved at the State Museum in Guwahati, many are still lying scattered at various spots in the district and require immediate steps to prevent further damage.

Besides Dubarani and Rajapukhuri, many artefacts were recovered from Nagajuri, Chukiapathar, Tengani, Alichiga and Barpather areas in Dhansiri subdivision, which was originally known as Upper Doyang.

The artefacts include shivlings, statues of deities, ancient ruins of temples, various kinds of utensils, seals and inscriptions, coins of different shapes and sizes and pucca walls. Some inscriptions and seals were discovered at Dubarani in 1984. After two years, two shivlings and other statues were again recovered from the area. These were preserved at the State Museum in 1994.

Recently, an inscription was found on the residential premise of P.D. Nath, a resident of Dubarani. It was engraved with different letters.

Many artefacts were also recovered from Tengani, including statues of Shiva and Surya, inscriptions, utensils and two U-shaped tanks, recently. It is surmised that the ancient ruins belong to the 4th or 8th centuries.

The local people of Upper Lengtha in Barpather unearthed four statues of Vishnu engraved in various languages.

In Golaghat subdivision, many relics have also been recovered from Kasomari and Sishupani areas. Recently, a group of students of Furkating College, under the guidance of their teachers, Lachit Phukan and Amulya Bora, conducted a field study at various sites in these areas.

“There are many things which the government can do to give these areas a facelift. We have found many things that call for urgent attention,” Phukon said.

A senior official of the archaeology department said shortage of staff and funds crunch were major impediments to preservation.

Golaghat, which was once ruled by the Kachari and Ahom kings, is famous for its royal artefacts.

Many artefacts have been spotted at Deopani, Deopahar, Negheriting temple at Dergaon, Baba Than, Rahdhola tanks and royal maidams in the subdivision, but they have not been preserved as yet.

Bokakhat subdivision is also dotted with ancient artefacts dating back to the Ahom period. Kakathan, Chikona-tathan, Babathan and various temples are major places of archaeological interest.