GUWAHATI: Archaeologists have stumbled upon the ruins of a historic kingdom in the Alichinga Tengani area in Golaghat district in upper Assam. Experts felt the site of the discovery, about 352 km from here in upper Assam , most likely belonged to the Kachari kings who ruled this landscape from the seventh century AD. The excavation, which began in December last year, was being conducted under the aegis of the state directorate of archaeology and is nearing its completion.The find has been hailed as a major success by the department. The Kachari kingdom existed here from the seventh till the 16 century AD. The Kacharis were in constant conflict with the Ahoms, who hailed from Mong-Mao—a Tai state in South-West Yunnan, which established its kingdom in Assam in the early part of the 13th century.“A rectangular structure resembling a house with plinth was found by our team during the excavation. It was on an elevation and submerged. The thickness of the walls—probably made of bricks—was 1.5 meter and the existing height of the walls was 2.5 meter. A verandah with an entrance and a brick carved floor in rectangular shape were also found,” said Nabajit Deori, technical officer, directorate of archaeology, Assam. The excavation team is being led by the director of the directorate of archaeology, Deepirekha Kouli, with Chabina Hasan, Nayanika Das, Kadam Dowerah and Deori forming members.Among the finds were a range of iron tools, including weapons and parts of broken nails and rusty implements, which the experts claimed would take research deeper into the cradle of history. Scattered around the prime structure were remains of bowls and dishes, throwing light on life and civilization around the site at that time.“The ruins definitely date back to the pre-Ahom period. But, at this moment, it is difficult to say with precision the exact dates of the structure. But, preliminary investigations show it belonged to the sixth or seventh century AD,” said Deori. Experts further felt that the structure was erected most likely as a defence strategy. The site was surrounded by earth mounds, ramparts and water bodies.

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