The remains of the royal Ahom kitchen in Sivasagar. A Telegraph
picture
Unearthed: royal kitchen in Sivasagar
For years, historians have wondered what the kitchens of the Ahom royalty
looked like. They finally have the answer.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has dug out the remains of a royal
kitchen on the precincts of the Gargaon Palace in Sivasagar district. The
discovery is a virtual treasure trove and should answer many questions which
have remained a mystery for so long, said the superintending archaeologist of
ASIs Guwahati circle, Sanjay Kumar Manjul.
The Ahoms ruled Assam for around 600 years and are credited with bringing
together the various tribes and sub-tribes as one to form the greater Assamese
society. Originally from South East Asia, the Ahoms also shaped, to a great
extent, the food habits of the people, adding new items to the Assamese menu.
The ASI official said the remains of the kitchen believed to be nearly 400
years old include earthen tumblers, bowls, dishes and basins. Three
oval-shaped hearths and pots and pans of various kinds were also recovered
during the excavation.
We are examining the pieces. Our research is expected to throw light on the
lifestyle, cooking methods and culinary habits of the Ahoms, he added.
Traces of charcoal were also found at the site, indicating that the Ahoms,
too, used wood as fuel for cooking.
Archaeologists believe the findings will shed light on the cultural
continuity since the Ahom rule. For example, we can now know which of the
practices of the Ahom age are still continuing. The hearths are similar to
those which are still used in some places of Upper Assam, Manjul said.
The Gargaon Palace also known as the Kareng Ghar was built in 1540 by the
15th Ahom king, Sukhlenmung. The old structure was, however, destroyed sometime
during the 18th century. The present seven-storey structure was rebuilt by King
Rajeswar Singha in 1762.
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