| Rang Ghar | |
|---|---|
 View of the Rang Ghar from the gardens | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | AhomArchitecture |
| Location | Sivasagar,Assam, India |
| Coordinates | 26°58′01″N94°37′08″E / 26.9670°N 94.6190°E /26.9670; 94.6190 |
| Construction started | 1746 |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Bricks and Indigenous type of cement |
| Design and construction | |
| Main contractor | Pramatta Singha |
| Part ofa series on the |
| History of Assam |
|---|
 |
Contemporary |
Sources |
| Categories |
TheRang Ghar (Assamese:[ɹɔŋɡʱɔɹ]), (rong ghor meaning "House of Entertainment") is a two-storeyed building which once served as the royal sports-pavilion whereAhom kings and nobles were spectators at games like buffalo fights and other sports at Rupahi Pathar (pathar meaning "field" inAssamese) - particularly during theRongali Bihu festival in theAhom capital ofRangpur.[1]
It is three kilometres (1.9 mi) away from the center ofSivasagar Town. Situated by the side of the Assam Trunk Road, it lies to the northeast of the Rangpur Palace, a almost seven-storied royal complex comprising theTalatal Ghar and theKareng Ghar.
Ranghar is said to be one of the oldest surviving amphitheaters in Asia, the building was first constructed during the reign of SwargadeoRudra Singha with bamboo and wood. It was later rebuilt with brick by SwargadeoPramatta Singha in 1744 - 1751 A.D.[2][3]
The roof of the Rang Ghar is shaped like an inverted royal Ahomlong 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, a pulse called Maati Maah and a fish named Borali Mach in Assamese. 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 pavilion, 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 theJoysagar Pukhuri. This is a man-made tank, encompassing an area of about 120 bighas of land. It was dug in memory ofJoymoti Konwari, mother ofRudra Singha (1665 – 1714) - the most illustrious of the Ahom kings.
Frequent earthquakes and seismic surveys being undertaken by theOil 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]
On 14 April 2023, on the occasion ofBohag Bihu, Prime MinisterNarendra Modi laid the foundation of beautification project of the monument. The project is expected to provide facilities like a fountain show, a boat house with a jetty, an artisan village and food stalls.[5][6]
A comprehensive History Of Assam by S.L. Baruah. Page 293
