GUWAHATI, May 9 ? The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has proposed preservation and overall development of about 20 archaeological monuments during the 2002-2003 fiscal in the North East region, said superintendent Archaeologist of the ASI, Guwahati Circle, Syed Jamal Hasan here. The proposal includes provisions of gardening, pathways, boundary walls and structural repairs of the monuments, besides providing the sites with the basic amenities like toilet, drinking water facilities so as to augment the flow of visitors. The monuments include the Dimapur Fort built by the Kachari Kings, the Jaintia capital of Nartiang in Meghalaya, the Shiva Doul and Bishnu Doul at Jaysagar, the Karengghar (Talatalghar) at Jaysagar, Bhismaknagar in Arunachal Pradesh, the remains of a fort at Bhalukpung, the Ghanashyam House (lone terracota structure in NE) at Jaysagar, the Negheriting Shiva Doul and the Kachamari monoliths.
The Shiva Doul, Devi Doul and Bishnu Doul at Sivasagar (restoration of the original enclosure wall), the ancient caves at Jogighopa, Maidam No 2 at Charaideo (restoration of the original octagonal enclosure), Rangghar (restoration of the roof and walls), retaining wall of the Jaysagar Bishnu Doul (restoration), Surya Pahar (restoration of the ancient water channel and the excavated structures), Unokoti (pathway, boundary wall and putting up a small bridge) and the Thakurani Tila (restoration of the excavated shrines), are the other monuments sought to be covered by the proposal.
Meanwhile, the ASI undertook small scale excavations of Karengghar (Talatal Ghar) and at the Charaideo Maidam No 2 during the 2000-2002 fiscals and of the ancient mound Boxanagar in West Tripura of Tripura last fiscal year. During the last fiscal year, the ASI circle office here also undertook conservation measures to preserve several of the State?s archaeological monuments. These included the structural renovations done in the Gargaon Karengghar, the repairs of the mukhamandapa of the Gaurisagar Vishnudoul, the structural remains of the Gohpur Dhandi Temple and the two graveyards of the British period at Bishwanathghat. During the year, the enclosure wall of the Shivadoul and the Devidoul at Gaurisagar and the enclosure wall of the Negheriting Shivadoul were also renovated. The enclosure wall of the Sivasagar Shivadoul and the inner compound wall by the eastern side of the boundary wall, at Khaspur in Cachar District were also partially restored during the year.
The conservation works last year also included lime coatings at the Gaurisagar Vishnudoul?s sikhara portion, plastering the arches and walls of the Jaysagar Karengghar (Talatalghar) and lime coatings of the parabolic roof the Rangghar and Singha dwar of the Khaspur monument an the Surkhi plastering of the Dhubri Panbari Masjid. Conservation measures were also undertaken by the ASI in the Panchayatna temple complex of Sri Suryapahar at the Kamakhya Ganesh Temple, at Kasomari Pathar, at Sonitpur Singri Hill, and at Dah Parvatiya during the year. In Arunachal Pradesh, the ASI undertook conservation measures for the preservation of the Bhalukpung monument, the Bhismaknagar and the Tamerswari Mandir.
In Manipur, it undertook conservation steps to preserve the Bhishenpur Temple, while in Meghalaya, it erected the fallen monoliths for the purpose of resetting it to its original position at Nartiang and resorted to PCC flooring and provided a drain along the outside wall at David Scott?s Memorial at Cherrapunji. It also constructed a store shed and paved a pathway near the Dimapur monument and restored the damaged portion of the Suchima monument and took up conservative measures to preserve the Khonoma monument in Nagaland. In Tripura, it undertook conservation works at Shyam Sundar Tilla, Thakurani Tilla, Unokoti in North Tripura, Gunavati temple complex and Bhubaneswari temple at Udaipur, during the year.