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S
ituated off the highway, 8 km inward from Rajmai T.E., between the rivers Disang and Demow, is the 34 sq km
stretch of rich wetland ecosystem called the Panidihing Bird Sanctuary. It was declared a Sanctuary in 1996 and
is considered a Ramsar Site, as over 20,000 resident and migratory birds belonging to around 165 species can be
sighted here in winter. Some of the birds commonly seen here are several kinds of storks, ducks and geese. Birds of these
species can also be sighted on the Rajmai tank every winter, wading and looking for fish.
The estate cooperates with the Sanctuary authorities in spreading awareness about the importance of keeping these birds
(some of which are listed among the endangered species) safe from harm.
Situated near Joysagar is the Rangpur Palace, the largest
of all the monuments built by the Ahom kings. The four
floors above ground constitute the Kareng Ghar while the
three storeys underground, with two secret tunnels to
facilitate a strategic exit in times of war, make up the
Talatal Ghar. Swargadeo Rudra Singha (1696 - 1714)
constructed a palace made of wood and other locally
available impermanent materials. It was Swargadeo
Rajeswar Singha (1751 - 1769), who converted it to the
edifice of brick masonary that still remains today. The
architecture of the palace’s underground levels resembled
the contemporary Mughal style but the wooden work of
the top level resembled typical Assamese architecture. A
set of canons are still preserved in good condition.
Rang Ghar, the oldest
amphitheatre of Asia, is a two-
storey building which was the
Royal Pavilion from where the
Ahom kings and noblemen
witnessed games like buffalo
fights, elephant fights and
other sports on the Rupahi
‘pathaar’ (paddy field) specially during Rangali Bihu.The
roof of the Rang Ghar is shaped like a royal Ahom
longboat, with a crocodile at either end.The amphitheatre
was constructed during the reign of Swargadeo Pramatta
Singha in 1746 and is located by the side of NH 37, a little
outside Sivasagar town.
All these monuments that still stand after centuries, were
constructed of special thin bricks which were joined together
using a paste of rice and eggs as mortar, bearing testimony to
the genius of the Ahom architects and masons.
48 July 2016
Panidihing Bird Sanctuary – A Wetland Ecosystem
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Common Pochard
Ferruginous Duck
Fishing Eagle
Lesser Adjutant Stork Spot Billed Duck
White Necked Stork