Architecture and sculptures of Assam

Architecture and Sculpture

Assam has a rich heritage of architecture and sculpture from ancient times. The manuscripts or inscriptions, remains of temples or shrines and old mementoes remind us the rich legacy of these art forms.
The stone gate of Do-parbotia at Sonitpur is the example of oldest architecture discoveree till now. We find the es- sence of early Gupta era architecture in this gate.                 
       Umachal Silalipi discovered on Nilachal hills at Guwahati is the oldest inscription found till date. Many palaces or me- mentoes were built in ancient Kamrup under the auspices of various royal dynasties. Most of them got ruined with the passage of time. Among them the Siddheswari temple at Kamrup district is worthy of mention. The influence of South Indian architecture is seen in this temple.
         After that the architecture of Assam started to develop gradually. Hayagriba Madhav temple of Hajo and Kamakhya temple are best examples of Koch architecture. The Koches
built the Kamakhya temple by amalgamating Hindu and Islamic styles.
       The architecture of Assam developed much during the Ahom era. The Douls and other remains in and around Sivasagar are the best examples of Ahom architecture. They are Shiva doul, Vishnu doul, Devidoul, Rangghar, Karengghar etc. Another remarkable example of Ahom architecture is Negheriting Dewalay near Dergaon. The temple was built during the reign of Rajeswar Singha. This is actually a cluster of five temples. There is an adjucent portico in each temple. This Dewalay is situated on top of a hillock.
        Dimapur, Maibong and Khachpur the last capital of Kachari Kings carry the pride of ancient Kachari architecture. Kachari architecture lacks the splendour and the houses are made with two sideway slopes. The Bengal and Islamic influence can be seen in their architecture.
    Though the North Indian influence is mostly prominent in the architecture of Assam, yet some indigenous features can be noticed on a part of Kamakhya temple, in armouries of Rangpur and Gargaon, Sun temple and Devighar Of Joysagar etc.
      A new style paved way to the architecture of Assam during the Ahom era. Namghars (Vaishnavite temple) were built as a result of Vaishnavite movement initiated by Sankardeva. The architecture of Assam put on a new face in the process of building Namghars and making various things necessary for Namghars. At the down of 20th century, Jyotiprasad Agarwala initiated the auspicious beginning of modern architecture in Assam which was based on Sankardev's artistic endeavour.
         Though stones were used in ancient architecture of Assam, the use of brick in building structures became common towards the end of Middle Ages. The architecture of ancient Assam reached its height by dint of the skilled sculptors, artists, architects and mechanics of that time.
       From the various bridges found in ancient Assam one can easily gather knowledge about the height of engineering skill of ancient Assam. The stone bridges at North Guwahati and Namdang near Sivasagar, are excellent examples of such craftsmanship.
       In scolpture too, the mark of excellence can be found on the stone curvings and statues which are 'scattered
throughout the State. The artistry on the gate of Da-parbotia which was curved as early as the fifth or sixth century can be quoted as excellent example of sculpture of ancient Assam.
      The sculptures found in Madan Kamdeva near Guwahati are also specific examples of this art form. These were created in the tenth and eleventh century during the reign bear the stamp of Indian classical Surpa Pahar tradition. Day-to- day life of common people is delineated through these sculptures. Accordingly, we find images of various fighters, sculptors or dancers among these sculptures. Besides all these many erotic images are also scattered around its vicinity.
     The style and forms of sculptures found at Madan Kamdeva have similarities with the Nagar style of North India. There are also many similarities with the Khajoraho temple of Madhya Pradesh.
     The images with dancing posture preserved at Tezpur, Cole Park express the semblance of dance and musical instruments of that time. The remains discovered at Bamuni Pahar, Tezpur are also examples of wonderful sculptures flourished at that time. The time of these sculptures is ninth to tenth century as historical evidences say.
       Many such wonderful examples of sculptures are discovered in and around Guwahati. Some of them are Lord Vishnu in his infinite sleep (Anonto Sajya) at Aswaklanta,
             Architecture and Sculpture 177 Urvashi image discovered near Guwahati Panikal, the images of Mahisha Mordini, Vishnu, Surya and Ganesh found on the bank of Brahmaputra behind the Sukreswar temple etc.The touch and essence of Assamese.sculpture is also seen at Kanai Barasi Boa Silalipi (inscriptions found at North Guwahati on the stone named as Kanai Barasi Boa Sil) and at Doul Govinda temple.
          Many beautiful curved images were found on the walls and remains of ancient temples located at Doboka, Nagaon. The Umalingan image is the most artistic among them. Stone curved mementoes of Hinduism Buddhism and Jainism are found on Surya Pahar located at Goalpara. The most prominent sculpture found in this area is the Aaditya Chakra. It has similarity with the Navagraha Chakra found at Khisiu in Orissa. These sculptures represent the pre-Ahom era. The remarkable sculptures among them are the images of Durga, Ganesh, Chandra, Buddha and Siva linga etc. The sculptures discovered at Deoparbat, Numaligarh, have many similarities with Gupta school of art. Images curved in various postures, upper part of human body holding lotus flowers, crowns on heads, the mark of Tilaka on foreheads and faces expressing contented smile all these are supposed as some beautiful nymphs.

 Many such historical monuments found in various places of Assam carry the pride of Assamese sculpture. The sculptures discovered at Ambari, Guwahati and those found on the bank of Kapili, mausoleums or burial vaults (maidams) scattered here and there all over the State and relics found in and around Tezpur are some fine examples.
          In general, the history of sculpture in Assam can be divided into two phases. The first phase is the pre-Ahom period and the second is the Ahom period. The sculptures of pre-Ahom era were mainly created during the reign of Varman, Salastambha and Pala dynasties. The examples of Ahom era sculpture can be found at Kamalabari Satra (copper door). The mark of difference is distinct among the images of ten incarnations (Dasha Avatar) curved on the door. Terracotta as well as metallic art forms were also developed during the Ahom era.
          We also find a distinctive style in wooden sculptures used in Satras and Namghars. Wooden statues, idols and dolls were extensively used in these institutions. We still find some of them lying here and there.
           The art, architecture and sculpture of Assam followed its own path of development with a distinctive style till the nineteenth century. Gradually, the western influence touched all the corners of Assamese society and civilization.