Tezpur was under the rule of theKoch dynasty and later became a part of theAhom kingdom in the 16th century. The Ahoms, known for their administrative prowess and patronage of art and culture, played a vital role in shaping Tezpur's heritage. The city witnessed several battles and conflicts during the medieval period.
Modern Tezpur is a medieval trading town and cultural and educational hub, home to several archaeological sites, temples, and monuments.
At the 2011 census, the population of the Tezpur city Municipal Corporation area was 102,505. Of these, 40,837 people spoke Assamese, 18,696 spoke Bengali, 11,050 spoke Hindi, and 31,920 spoke other languages.[8][dead link]
Bhairabi Temple: The Bhairabi Temple is located on the outskirts of Tezpur. The GoddessBhairavi is worshipped here as she is one of theMahavidyas of MaaDurga Devi. It is a very importantShakta pitha of Assam. The backdrop of the temple is a view looking towards theKolia Bhomora Setu across theBrahmaputra River. The temple site is also locally knownBhairabi Devalaya. Legend has it that Usha (daughter of mighty Asura KingBanasura) regularly came here for the worshipping of the Goddess.[9]
Mahabhairav Temple: An ancient Mahabhairav Temple is located north of the city of Tezpur. According to legend, it was established by KingBana and originally contained aSiva lingam. The temple was originally constructed of stone, but the current structure is made of concrete. The Ahom kings of the era donated land and appointed priests and attendants to maintain the temple.[10]
Rudrapada Temple: Located on the east side of Tezpur and on the bank of the Brahmaputra river, the Rudrapada Temple is believed to be the site where Rudra (Lord Shiva) left the print of his left foot on a stone. According to legend, Mahadeva revealed his true self to King Bana at this location. The temple was built in 1730 by Siva Singha, but the main temple was later destroyed due to erosion by the Brahmaputra river.[11]Archaeological ruins at Bamuni Pahar.
Bhomoraguri: A stone inscription made by the Ahom General Kalia Bhomora Borphukan, who planned to construct a bridge over Brahmaputra. Almost two centuries later, a bridge at the same site now stands completed. The 3.015 km bridge, named after the great Ahom general, connects Silghat of Nagaon district with Tezpur.[12]
Da Parbatia is a small village close to westTezpur, in theIndian State ofAssam. In the village there are significant architectural remnants of an ancient temple of the 6th century overlying the ruins of anotherShiva temple built of bricks during theAhom period.[13][14] Archaeological excavations done here in 1924 have unearthed a sixth-century antiquity in the form of a stone door frame with extensive carvings.[13] The ruins of the temple built during theAhom period are built over the ancient temple's foundations and are in the form of a stone paved layout plan of thesanctum sanctorum and amandapa.[15][14] This complex is under the jurisdiction of theArchaeological Survey of India and its importance and notability is recorded under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958.[16]
Agnigarh: This hillock located on the bank of theBrahmaputra river is said to be the site of the legendary romance between Princess Usha, the only daughter of KingBanasura, and Aniruddha, the grandson ofKrishna, a deity in Hinduism. According to legend, Usha was kept on this hillock and was surrounded by fire, hence the name "Agnigarh," which means "hill of fire" inSanskrit.[18]
Chitralekha Udyan (Cole Park): Chitralekha Udyan is a park established in 1906 by British Deputy Commissioner Cole. It features two massive ornamented stone pillars and other sculptural remnants, and was renovated in 1996 by Deputy Commissioner M.G.V.K.Bhanu. The park has water sports facilities, walkways, a restaurant, and an open-air stage.[19]
Harjara Pukhuri: A large[vague] artificial lake named after Harjara Varmana of theMleccha dynasty, excavated in the early 9th century.[20]
Padum Pukhuri: A lake featuring an island, that has been developed into a park with a musical fountain. The island is accessible via an iron bridge, and visitors can also go boating on the lake.[21]
Bamuni Hills: The Bamuni Hills contain ruins that feature sculptural remains dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries CE.[22]
Dipak Jain, former Director (Dean) of Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration of Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand and INSEAD Chaired Professor of Marketing.
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India
Tezpur travel guide from Wikivoyage
