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Nilachal is astyle ofHindu temple architecture inAssam, India, that is characterized by a bulbous polygonal dome over a cruciformratha typebada.[1] This hybrid style developed first in theKamakhya temple on the Nilachal hills under theKoch kingdom and became popular as a style later under theAhom kingdom.[2]
The Koch king Viswasingha restarted worship at the ruins of the Kamakhya temple, and his son, Naranarayana decided to reconstruct the temple from the existing material lying scattered. He sent artisans and craftsmen under an army general named Meghamukdam. After two failed attempts at restoring the stoneshikhara, Meghamukdam decided to take recourse to brick masonry and created the current dome.[3] Made by craftsmen and architects more familiar with Islamic architecture of Bengal, the dome became bulbous and hemispherical which was ringed by minaret-inspiredangashikharas.[4]