Bhismaknagar

Bhismaknagar is an archeological site in Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. It is located near Roing in Lower Dibang Valley district. The remains are generally ascribed to the rule of the Sutiyas, a Bodo-Kachari (Tibeto-Burmese) ethnic group who ruled over the region of Sadiya from 11th to 16th Century CE.

Etymology

The name ''Bhismaknagar'' was first observed in the Assam District Gazetteer of the year 1928—reference to a work by the 16th-century seer Sankardev that was popular in the Sadiya region (which eventually found its way into the later Chutia chronicles.)

Historically, the region was known as ''Sadhayapura'' (the rulers being Sadhayapur-ishwar) as per copper inscriptions and the fort formed part of the capital region of the Chutia king ''Laksminarayana'', also known as ''Che-lung'' in Tai Buranjis (meaning "Great City" in English).

Location

It is located in Lower Dibang Valley district. The campus of the old city is spread over an area of 2500 acres.

History

Bhismaknagar is an important ancient archeological site. The site must have been a stronghold of the Chutias. The ruins have been dated between the 11th-15th centuries. Bhismaknagar has been identified with Sadhayapuri (or Svadhayapuri), the political centre of the Chutia Kingdom. Based on an inscriptions on brick, it is assumed to have been the capital of Chutia king Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa, of the early 15th century. Paleographical analysis supports this dating.Based on an inscribed brick with the name of Śrīśrī-Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa, discovered from the ruins of the forts in Bhismaknagar, it is assumed that Chutiya king Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa of the early fifteenth century had his capital in the area. The paleographical analysis of the inscription supports this dating

Architecture

The fort, with its fortifications and buildings, is built of fired bricks. The fortified city is spread over an area of 10 square km. The wall is 4.5 meters high and 6 meters wide, made using granite stone (6-9 courses)Gait, Edward. ''A history of Assam(2nd Edition)''. 1962, p. 16. and bricks on the east, west and south directions. In the north, the Mishmi hills provided a natural barrier. Although very less excavation has been carried out by the Arunachal government, preliminary excavations have revealed three tanks and two gates in the eastern and western directions.

The Bhismaknagar central complex extended over an area of 1860 square meters and displays three halls, six ingresses and two extension rooms. There is also a 2 meters high stone wall inside the complex. The architecture of the fort displays the medieval culture. While quarrying the fort the enormous pieces of work of art like potteries, terracotta figurines, terracotta plaques and decorative tiles were preserved.

Gallery

File:ASI Plaque Bhismaknagar.jpg, ASI Plaque with information on Bhismaknagar.
File:Bhismaknagar fort ruins.jpg, A section of the brick platform of Bhismaknagar.
File:Another section of the palace.jpg, Section of the fortified brick wall leading to the western gateway.
File:Bhismakanagar Wall.jpg, A section of the eastern brick gateway of the city.
File:A section of a wall in Bhismaknagar.jpg, A section of the western gateway with the upper damaged portion of the wall removed.
File:Bhismaknagar Brick Wall.jpg, A section of the brick wall leading to the eastern gateway.
File:Bhismaknagar wall section.jpg, Another section of the Western wall.
File:Bhismanagar fort ruins.jpg, The three compartments of the central building.
File:A separate structure inside the fortified walls.jpg, A separate structure inside the fortified walls.
File:Central structure of Bhismaknagar.jpg, Central platform of Bhismaknagar.
File:Lakshminarayan brick.jpg, A brick found in Bhismaknagar Fort with the Chutia king Lakshminarayan's name inscribed in it.
File:Bhismaknagar building.jpg, Western gateway with the upper damaged portions removed.
File:Potsherds found in Bhisnaknagar.jpg, Potsherds found in Bhismaknagar.
File:A section of the central building of Bhismaknagar.jpg, A section of the central building of Bhismaknagar.
File:Mud pot with holes.jpg, Mud pot with holes.
File:Brick of Bhismaknagar.jpg, Brick of Bhismaknagar.
File:Bhismaknagar Ruins.jpg, Section of the western brick wall.
File:A section of wall in Bhismaknagar.jpg, A section of western wall in Bhismaknagar
File:Various artifacts found in Bhismaknagar.jpg, Various artifacts found in Bhismaknagar.
File:Bhismaknagar complex.jpg, Bhismaknagar complex
A brick platform of Bishmak Nagar temple in Arunachal Pradesh.jpg, A brick platform of Bishmak Nagar temple in Arunachal Pradesh
File:A stack of bricks of Bishmak Nagar Ruins.jpg, A stack of bricks of Bishmak Nagar ruins.
File:Ruins of Bishmak Nagar in Arunachal Pradesh.jpg, Another view of the platform of the central building.

Notes

References

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Villages in Lower Dibang Valley district
Archaeological sites in Arunachal Pradesh