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~ Rupa Saikia
S
et amidst verdant green surroundings and steeped
in Ahom history, Attabarrie Tea Estate is but a
stone’s throw from the town of Demow on the
national highway. The factory, Shiv temple and Burra
Bungalow flank three sides of a lovely, huge pond, with a
total area of 337,500 sq ft.This was dug during the reign
of Ahom King Sukampha (1552 - 1603 AD) or ‘Khora
Roja’ (Lame King), as he was popularly known. He was
so christened owing to the damage to one of his feet, due
to a fall from his elephant while out on ‘shikar’ (hunt). The
name of the garden was originally Athabarrie, stemming
from the intensive plantations of gum trees in this area,
the seeds of which were procured by the king while out
on his travels, as the resin of this tree was very useful in
fixing precious stones in jewellery, especially required in
royal households at that time. However, with the advent
of the British, the name changed to Attabarrie, as it is now
known.
The Factory - Mirror Image!
JULY 2015 35