Assam has a rich heritage of architecture and sculpture from ancient times. The manuscripts or inscriptions, the remains of temples or shrines and old mementoes remind us of the legacy of these art forms.
Ancient Architectures and Sculptures of Assam.
The stone gate of Do-Parbatia at Sonitpur is an example of the oldest architecture discovered till now. We find the presence of early Gupta era architecture in this gate.
Umachal Silalipi discovered on Nilachal Hills at Guwahati is the oldest inscription found till date. Many places or mementoes 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 found in this temple.
After that, the architecture of Assam started to develop gradually. Hayagriba Madhav temple of Hajo and Kamakhya temple are the best example of Koch architecture. The Koches rebuilt the Kamakhya temple by amalgamating Hindu and Islamic style.
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. Some examples of Ahom architecture are Shiva Doul, Vishnu Doul, Devi Doul, Rangghar, Karenghar, etc.
Another remarkable example of Ahom architecture is the Negheriting Dewalay near Dergaon. The temple was built during the reign of Rajeshwar Singha. This is actually a cluster of five temples. There is an adjacent 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 sideways slopes. The Bengal and Islamic influence can be seen in their architecture.
Though the North Indian influence is most prominent in the architecture of Assam, yet some indigenous features can be seen on parts of Kamakhya temple, in armouries of Rangpur and Gargaon, Sun temple and Devighar of Joysagar, etc.
A new style paved the way to the architecture of Assam during the Ahom era. Namghars (Vaishnavite temples) were built as a result of the 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 the 20th century, Jyotiprashad Agarwala initiated the auspicious beginning of modern architecture in Assam which was based on Sankardev's artistic endeavour.
Though stones were used in the ancient architecture of Assam, the use of brick in building structures became common towards the end of the Middle Ages. The architecture of ancient Assam reached its height by the 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 the engineering skill of ancient Assam. The stone bridges at North Guwahati and Namdang near Sivsagar, are an excellent example of such craftsmanship.
In sculpture too, the mark of excellence can be found on the stone carvings and statues which are scattered throughout the State. The artistry on the gate of Do-Parbotia which was curved as early as the fifth or sixth century can be quoted as an excellent example of sculptures of ancient Assam.
Many other wonderful examples of sculptures are discovered in and around Guwahati. Some of them are Lord Vishnu in his infinite sleep (Anonto Sajya) at Aswaklanta, Urvashi image discovered near Guwahati Panikal, the images of Mahisha Mordini, Vishnu, Surya and Ganesh found on the bank of Brahmaputra behind the Sukreswa, etc. The touch and essence of Assamese sculpture are also seen at Kanai Barasi Boa Silalipi and at Doul Govinda temple.
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 the pre-Ahom era were mainly created during the reign of Varman, Salastambha and Pala dynasties. The examples of the Ahom sculpture era can be found at Kamalabari Satra (copper door). The mark of difference is distinct among the images of ten incarnations or the Dasha Avatar curved on the door. Terracotta, as well as metallic art forms, were also developed during the Ahom era.
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.
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