A Closure Look At The Maze: Talatal Ghar

The Talatal Ghar is one of the ‘Tai Ahom monuments’. Which is located in Rangpur, 4 km from present-day Sivasagar, Assam. The Talatal Ghar was built as a secret army base by Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha and his successors, during AD 1751-1769. It houses two secret tunnels, and three floors below ground level which were used as exit routes during the Ahom wars. It is one of the grandest examples of Tai Ahom architecture, though built by the Ahom kings, is inspired by Mughal architecture. It has an arched door that resembles Mughal styles of architecture. Other inspirations are a large terrace, a temple with octagonal structure and a few small chambers form the major portion of the edifice. It has an arched door that resembles Mughal styles of architecture. Other inspirations are a large terrace, a temple with octagonal structure and a few small chambers form the major portion of the edifice. After the death of the first king the Talatal Ghar, which together with the above-ground Kareng Ghar constitutes the Rangpur Palace, went through many architectural alterations to its structure, which resulted in its irregular shape.

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The Talatal Ghar had two secret underground tunnels. One, about 3 kilometres in length, connected the Talatal Ghar to the Dikhow River, while the other, 16 kilometres long, led to the Garhgaon Palace, and was used as an escape route in case of an enemy attack.

Downward passage - Picture of Talatal Ghar, Sibsagar - Tripadvisor

>Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha added the three floors below ground, which make up the Talatal Ghar. This is made of brick and an indigenous type of cement (a mixture of Bora Chaul — a sticky variety of rice grain — eggs of swan, etc.). The Talatal Ghar had two secret underground tunnels. One, about 3 kilometres in length, connected the Talatal Ghar to the Dikhow River, while the other, 16 kilometres long, led to the Garhgaon Palace, and was used as an escape route in case of an enemy attack.

>From east to west, several rooms run along a long corridor; and from north to south are numerous smaller wings. The ground floor served as stables, store rooms, and servants’ quarters. The Kareng Ghar was built mainly of wood, which was largely destroyed over time. The Royal apartments were on the upper storey, of which only a few rooms now remain, close to an octagonal room on the northern wing which once served as the Puja Ghar (prayer house). There are stairs leading up to the terrace. An isolated room stands on the south which is believed to have been used by the queen during her confinement.

Visitors nowadays can only view the ground floor, the first floor, and what remains of the 2nd and 3rd floors .The floors of the Talatal Ghar below ground have been sealed off, and most of the wooden parts of the palace have disappeared over time.

You can reach this amazing architectural site via Sivasagar, which is a short ride away and the modern town which acts as a base for the travellers.

By-Monalisa Gogoi