Moiramora Doul Explained

Moiramora Doul or Moiramora Than is a historical site in India located at Khamtighat in Mancotta Mouza of Dibrugarh district. Presently, only the ruins of the Moiramora Doul or Than have been discovered. Now, Moiramora Satra is situated at the site of the ruins. The Moiramora Ruins are situated on the bank of the Dihing at Khamtighat. The site features stone sculptures of various postures and attitudes dating back to the early and late medieval period, characterized by native ethnic texture.[1] The Archaeological Department of the Government of Assam has recognized the Moiramora Doul as a State Protected Monument.[2]

History

Bor Jadumoni, a prominent disciple of Gopal Ata, the founder of the Kaal-Sanghati Satra of Ekasarana Dharmaintroduced by Srimanta Sankardeva and Sri Sri Madhavdeva, founded the Moiramora Satra at Kalaulwa on the banks of the Burhi Dihing River. The Ahom king Sujinphaa (1675-77 AD) and the Premier Atan Burhagohain converted to Nam Dharma and became disciples of the Moiramora Satra. The daul and pond of the satra were dug and dedicated under the patronage of the Ahoms. The earthquake caused the foundation of the daul of Moiramora Satra to collapse due to floods and erosion of the Burhi Dihing.

The satra was damaged by natural disasters and later became uninhabited due to internal uprisings in the Ahom kingdom and the third invasion of the Burmese. Later, the Moiramora Satra was established at Kujibali in Hahchara Mouza of Sivasagar district. Subsequently, the Budhidihing River changed its course, deviating from the area where the satra daul was located and taking a straight course to the north of the satra. Later, new settlers discovered the ruins of the Moiramora Satra in the jungle and built a "Than Ghar" for worship. The family of the satradhikar of the satra arrived later and established a satra here again, continuing the responsibility of spreading Nam Dharma.[3]

Description

The area is currently being conserved and enhanced by the Archaeological Department of the Government of Assam under a scheme initiated in 2010. The archaeological department, along with the Dibrugarh district administration and local youth organizations, has constructed a fence, a concrete museum, and an altar covering around 7 bighas of land. Within the site, there are 13 rock-cut idols and fragments of several idols preserved in the gardens and local galleries of the Moiramora Than archaeological site. Excavations conducted in 2018 revealed evidence of two different periods of cultural civilization. The museum showcases altars of ancient temples made of bricks, copper coins from the British era, silver flowers, stone sculptures, and clay bricks of various shapes.[4] Notably, the granite stone sculptures found here date back to the 8th to 9th centuries CE, while the sandstone sculptures are relatively more recent.[5]

Location

The Moiramora Daul is situated on the banks of the Burhidihing River, approximately two kilometers west of Khamati Ghat in Mancotta Mouza of Dibrugarh district. It is well connected to Dibrugarh city, with the Dibrugarh railway station around 20 km away and the Dibrugarh Airport about 27 km away. The Moiramora Satra is situated in the former Langeri Mouza, which is now known as "Jakai Napam Than Gaon."

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Protected Archaeological Sites and Monuments - (104) Moiramora Doul, Khamtighat, Dibrugarh District . Archeological Survey of India. en . 8 April 2024.
  2. Web site: Protected Monuments in Assam. Archeological Survey of India. en. 8 April 2024.
  3. Nabajit Deori, Chabina Hassan . Preliminary Report of the Excavation Conducted at Moiramora Archaeological Site Dibrugarh District of Assam 2017-2018. . 3-7 . 13 April 2024 .
  4. Web site: Archaeologists to send samples of ancient temple ruins at Dibrugarh's Jokai for OSL. Northeast Now. en. 13 April 2024.
  5. Web site: Moiramara samples sent for dating . The Telegraph. en. 13 April 2024.