Mysterious Old-age Brick Tunnel, Structures Found in Nazira, Sivasagar

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The chance discoveries of a mysterious tunnel and several structures — all of old-age bricks — at Hatipatti in Nazira, Sivasagar district, is throwing open various theories as to their origins and construction purposes among experts and the common people there.

Sources informed The Sentinel that while some teenagers were playing ball at that spot located in Mackeypur Tea Estate last week, their ball fell into a spot portion. As they tried to retrieve the ball, the ground gave way and a hole appeared. The hole ultimately turned out to be an underground tunnel. Incidentally, the annual Durga puja pandal is also set up at that location.

On learning of the incident, State Minister for Archeology Keshab Mahanta directed the Director of Archaeology Department, Dr Deep Rekha Kowli to immediately send a team of experts to the site. Accordingly, a five-member team comprising Technical Officer Nabajit Deori, Exploration Officer Chabina Hassan, Conservation Officer Kangkon Jyoti Saikia, Conservation Officer Devoleena Sharma and Monument Attendant Kadam Duarah arrived at the spot. They have been carrying on investigations and excavations at the entire stretch for the last two days.

Upon preliminary investigation, the tunnel was found to be of 20 metres in length, 1.28 metres of breath, and 72 cm in depth. The tunnel appears to brick-layered. On further excavation, the team also stumbled upon several brick-structured rectangular and square-shapped structures near the tunnel. They also found two words ‘Maharaja’ and ‘Mahalaya’ etched at some terracotta tiles that were used for sealing of the superstructures. The team further located a few brick gates there as well.

Technical Officer Nabajit Deori and Exploration Officer Chabina Hassan informed The Sentinel that according to the information supplied by the local people and also the authority of the Tea Estate, a British-age heritage bungalow was located at this place at one point of time. The team of experts feels that the brick hollow structures were probably means to transport air or wind to the bungalow. “Detailed investigation would unravel interesting facts about these mysterious structures,” sources in the Archaeology department said. The team will submit the preliminary report on the findings to the State government. They will also inform that the excavated sites presently belong to the authority of the Mackeypur Tea Estate at Hatipatti in Nazira.

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