Call to protect and preserve historical Numaligarh rampart

A CORRESPONDENT

NUMALIGARH: The historic Numaligarh was lying exposed to encroachment and vandalism for the past two centuries. 'Numaligarh', a symbol of dignity and honour for the Assamese, had been encroached upon and was being desecrated by some tea gardens and traders of the locality in the past. A big portion of the historic rampart disappeared over the course of time in the past and now the remaining part is allegedly being destructed by Oil India Limited (OIL). It has been alleged by social organizations and stakeholders that OIL is excavating Numaligarh as part of OIL's pipeline project.

With a view to protecting the historic rampart from further encroachment and for its preservation and protection, it was handed to the State Archeology Department in the past. The rampant was officially handed over to the Archaeology Directorate by the Golaghat district administration on November 7, 2015 at the instance of the then State Cultural Affairs Minister Bismita Gogoi. Commissioner and Secretary, Cultural Affairs Department, Pritam Saikia was also present on the occasion. Archaeology Director Dr Deepirekha Kouli received the documents on behalf of the Directorate from the officials of the Golaghat district administration on that day.

According to the chronicles written by the chroniclers of the Ahom era, the Numaligarh rampart is part of a series of ramparts that were built by Kachari king Detchung and later came under the control of Swargadeo Suhungmung, who used it to settle Numali Kunwari, the princess he was presented with by Kachari king Detchung following the latter's defeat at the hands of the former in the battle for Makrang located on the western bank of the Dhansiri. After Ahom king Suhungmung annexed Numaligarh, he started to live with Kachari princess Numali and built a garh (fortification) around the place where they lived.

After OIL's excavation work to set up pipeline started by demolishing and digging the brick-reinforced earthen rampart- Numaligarh, social organizations and stakeholders raised their voice against the government and OIL. Organizations like AASU Numaligarh unit, Numaligarh Journalists' Association and Morangi Press Club have come out demanding immediate termination of the pipeline works by OIL by destroying the historic rampart. The AASU Numaligarh unit has already submitted a memorandum to the subdivisional administration of Bokakhat demanding immediate suspension of the pipeline works of OIL.

A source said that there were other options available with OIL to set up the pipeline. "If they wanted, they could have decided to install the pipeline beneath the tea gardens just beside the rampart," said the source.

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