Rang Ghar

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Coordinates: 26°58′01″N 94°37′09″E / 26.967055°N 94.619086°E / 26.967055; 94.619086

Rang Ghar
ৰংঘৰ

View of the Rang Ghar from the gardens
General information
Architectural style Ahom Architecture
Location Sivasagar
Assam
India
Coordinates 26°58′01″N 94°37′09″E / 26.967055°N 94.619086°E / 26.967055; 94.619086
Client Swargadeo
Technical details
Structural system Bricks and Indigenous type of cement
Rang Ghar

The rang Ghar (Pron:/ˌɹæŋ ˈgɑː/, Assamese: ৰংঘৰ, rong ghor meaning "House of Entertainment") is a two-storied building which once served as the royal sports-pavilion where Ahom kings and nobles were spectators at games like buffalo fights and other sports at Rupahi Pathar (pathar meaning "field" in Assamese) - particularly during the Rangali Bihu festival in the Ahom capital of Rangpur.[1]

It is 3 km away from the center of the Sivasagar Town. Situated by the side of the Assam Trunk Road, it lies to the northeast of the Rangpur Palace, a seven-storied royal complex comprising the Talatal Ghar and the Kareng Ghar.

History

Said to be one of the oldest surviving amphitheaters in Asia, the building was constructed during the reign of Swargadeo Pramatta Singha in AD 1744-1750.[2][3]

Architecture

The roof of the Rang Ghar is shaped like an inverted royal Ahom long boat. The base of the monument has a series of arched entrances, while atop the roof sits a decorative pair of carved stone crocodiles.

Many of the arched entrances have retained little more than their brick framework, with mere vestiges of sculptural adornments here and there. The Ahoms, who used special, thin, baked bricks, did not use cement but a paste of rice and eggs as mortar for their construction. They also made use of powdered mixed lime and bricks to cover the surface of the inner walls. It is said that this layer of powder used to keep the inside of the Rang Ghar cool.

The adjoining field, known as Rupohi Pothar, wore a festive look when games like bull-fight, cock-fight, elephant fight, wrestling, etc., were held on different occasions during the Ahom rule. Rang Ghar, besides standing as the royal pavillion, also contributed in spreading the games to different parts of the kingdom and its neighbouring States.

About a kilometer to the northeast of the Rang Ghar is the Joysagar Pukhuri. This is a man-made tank, encompassing an area of about 120 bighas of land. It was dug in memory of Joymoti Konwari, mother of Rudra Singha - the most illustrious of the Ahom kings.

Architectural Influence of the Rang Ghar

  • The entrance to the Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra at Guwahati echoes the Rang Ghar.
  • The Rang Ghar was the logo of the 33rd National Games held in Guwahati, in February 2007.

Present condition

Frequent earthquakes and seismic surveys being undertaken by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation are posing a threat to Assam’s 18th century amphitheatre Rang Ghar. At least 35 cracks have been noticed at various places on the walls of the historic Rang Ghar.[4]

Gallery

  • Rang Ghar signage by ASI

  • View of the gardens from the Rang Ghar pavilion's upper floor

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Rang ghar | Asia's oldest pavillion, Sivasagar, Assam". Assaminfo.com. 2007-02-18. Retrieved 2013-06-01. 
  2. ↑ Lakhmani, Nisarg (2012-01-07). "Rang Ghar a historical monument in Assam - India". Demotix.com. Retrieved 2013-06-01. 
  3. ↑ Encyclopaedia of Tourism Resources in India - Manohar Sajnani - Google Books. Books.google.co.in. Retrieved 2013-06-01. 
  4. ↑ "National : Damage to ‘Rang Ghar’ causes concern". The Hindu. 2008-04-07. Retrieved 2013-06-01. 


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