SIVASAGAR, Feb 22 – Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) engaged in excavating the maidams of the Ahom kings at Charaideo, finally broke open the main entrance to the brick built dome underneath the 6.2-metre deep earth cover of the biggest of the 20 maidams, believed to be that of Ahom King Shiva Singha (AD 1714-1744). On clearing the stones of the 1.9 metre-wide passage below the 50-cm thick brick arch, ASI workers led by superintending archaeologist ASI, Syed Jamal Hussain and assistant archaeologist BK Sinha, have so far unearthed two pieces of human bones, some fine-clay potteries and one ‘kori’. However, the mid portion of the dome is filled completely with earth and it will take some time to remove the huge quantity of earth and then only the people will know what is there inside.
Visiting the site a week ago, this correspondent observed that the base of the dome on the western side was cleared and a 1.2-metre-broad surrounding octagonal walls of brick and lime-churki were visible but the entrance was still blocked by huge stones. Senior conservation assistant B Kumar told this correspondent that the stone boulders were cemented with very hard substances and the floor of the dome is made of a mixture of lime and brick-powder.
It may be mentioned here that there is a large hole atop every important maidams in Charaideo and it is presumed that the Burmese Army during their invasion and later the British looted these maidams of all valuable articles buried along with the body of the dead kings. Two large posts of ‘sal’ have been found nearly 40 feet below the earth work near the basement. ASI is expected to speed up the excavation work before the onset of the rainy season.
Charaideo Maidam Smriti Tarpan Celebration Committee, headed by Prof B Gogoi and D Rajkhowa have been monitoring the excavation work and is taking measures so that the historically important findings may be preserved scientifically. The three-phased excavation work done simultaneously at Charaideo and Talatolghar premises have evoked much curiosity among the history lovers here in Sivasagar and sudden increase of tourists flow to the Charaideo have been witnessed.