Jorhat, Oct. 26: The monuments created by Chutia kings and their achievements during their reign over vast areas of Assam between 1187 and 1522 from the capital Sadiya are about to be highlighted to enlighten people about that glorious chapter of the state’s history.

Revealing this here today, Chutia Development Council chairman Jiten Saikia said, “There are many places of historical significance in Sadiya sub-division of Tinsukia district on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra and in areas bordering Arunachal Pradesh. We are getting a concept paper prepared by experts on all important places and monuments built by Chutia kings to bring the history of their reign to fore.”

Saikia said one of the main objectives of the council was to find places of historical importance vis-à-vis the Chutia reign and to carry out detailed research on the period so that all facts could be highlighted to make people aware about the progress and prosperity of that period. He said a team comprising historians, archaeologists and researchers would be formed soon to carry out a thorough study on Chutia history by visiting various places across the state.

The chairman said he, along with some of his colleagues from the council, had undertaken a tour of Sadiya and its adjoining areas earlier this year to find places of historical importance. He said they had visited a temple — Bura Buri Haal, believed to be over 800 years old — having statues of Lord Shiva and Parvati and built with red bricks by a Chutia king on the outskirts of Sadiya sub-divisional headquarters Chapakhowa.

He said the head priest of the temple was from the Deuri community, which was the case during Chutia rule, and the main door of the temple was opened to devotees only twice a year.

Saikia said the council had sanctioned Rs 10 lakh from its budget for developing infrastructure along with lodging facilities around the temple, which could be promoted as a major tourist spot. He said there were ruins of a rampart a short distance away from the templeand added that council would be allotting funds for its proper upkeep and development.

“Once we have a list of the historical sites, we could request funds from the government for proper upkeep of these places,” he added.

He said they had also visited Bhismak Nagar in Lower Dibang Valley district of Arunachal where the ruins of a palace believed to have been built by Chutia kings is located.

The council’s vice-chairman, Mohan Bora, said they had instituted an award — Birangana Sadhani Bota, carrying a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh — to be given to a person who had contributed to development of the Chutia community.

Chief minister Tarun Gogoi will present the award to Kusheshar Baruah at the district library auditorium here on Monday.