Dimapur Kachari Ruin

Dimapur Kachari Ruins - is one among the oldest surviving archaeological sites of North - East India. It is located within one of the prominent business center of North - East India, Dimapur. The historic site is popularly known as Rajbari Park or simply Rajbari. It is a good place for travelers having interest in history, art, architecture and sculpture, though not a fine place due to the lack of proper preservation and maintenance. It looks like Archaeological Survey of India actually want the ruins to be destroyed totally. Here some duties lies upon the Tourism Department of Nagaland as well as of the Government of Assam to preserve this set of monoliths; as a matter of fact that the Great Kachari Kingdom lied under the geographical area of both of the present states of Assam and Nagaland.

Though the Kachari Kingdom said to be emerged around 10th century AD, the history of the kingdom was much more ancient; however without a proper and continuous written history. And though the loss of the ancient capital city at Kachamari in Golaghat district of Assam forced the Dimasa Kacharis to manage a new capital; the structure of Dimapur Ruins clearly support a very old antiquity. Quantity of the stones used indicate that Dimapur acted as a important urban center of not only in historical Kachari Kingdom but also of ancient Pragjyotish - Kamarup empire of western portion of south - east Asia. The site displays sign of fine ancient stone art and craft; - although not a grand piece of architecture now.

In 1526 AD and 1536 AD Ahoms occupied Dimapur. Both of the attacks had some destructive effects for the old city of Dimapur. But according to oral tradition Dimapur Ruins Site was still something above ruin before 1960s. At least the ruin was easy to identify as a portion of the Royal Palace of the Dimasa Kachari Kings.



The setting mainly has three types of structures :- "Chessman Type", "Y Type" and "Buffalo Horn Type" according to the historians and archaeologist. All of the pieces scattered around the site tells visitors about the development of art, sculpture and architecture in early Kachari Kingdom.

Though poorly preserved and highly neglected one; tourists should visit the site to get the experience of one of the earliest urban civilization in this region.

FACTS

• With all logical possibilities the site happened to be a portion of a Grand Palace of the Kachari Kings. 
• Though the Kachari Ruins are said to be constructed around 10th centaury AD the materials used, style of art and oral history of the Dimasa Kacharis demand a longer heritage. 
• Some of the historians try to attach the Kachari Ruins as well as Dimapur with a character of Mahabharata; namely Hidimba, actually existed in modern Himachal Pradesh. The fabricated stories for the progress of Indianization supports that the pillars were made for Bhima to play chess. 
• A gruop of scholars; influenced by the books of Hindu Tantric Saiva - Sakti cult thinks that the Chessmen Type structures indicate male organ while Y Type and Buffalo Horn Types stands for female organ. 

HOW TO REACH

• Dimapur has a good network of Airways, Railways and Roadways 

ACCOMODATION

• Dimapur has many comfortable hotels in and around it. 

NEAREST CITIES

• Bokajan - 13 Km 
• Kohima - 74 Km 

By Mrigang Ranjan Loying
Photography By Madhurjya Saikia

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Best Bird Watching Sites in Nagaland

1. GHOSHU BIRD SANCTUARY

Located at the middle of Nagaland in Zunheboto district, Ghoshu Bird Sanctuary is located near Ghukiye village at a distance of around 8 km from the district headquarter Zunheboto town. The around 10 sq km sanctuary is the first community sanctuary of the region since 1996. A picturesque sanctuary; Langki river flows throw it.

• Nearest Cities: Zunheboto, Mokokchung.
• Nearest Airports at: Jorhat, Dimapaur.
• Nearest Railway Station: Mariani.

2. NTAGNKI NATIONAL PARK 

Ntangki National Park is the largest protected forest area in Nagaland measuring around 200 sq km. Having geographical biodiversity of hills, low hills and plain of river Dhansiri visitors can expect to see various species of birds along with many animals. White – winged Wood Ducks and Brown Hornbill are the major rare birds of this semi evergreen forest area. On other bank of river Dhansiri there lies Assam’s Dhansiri Reserve Forest.

• Nearest Cities: Dimapur, Kohima
• Nearest Airports at: Dimapur, Jorhat.
• Nearest Railway Stations: Dimapur, Bokajan.

3. SARAMATI
Touched by Myanmar border, Saramati is one among the finest example of subtropical broad leaf type of forest area in the district of Tuensang. The 3842 meter high Saramati Peak is considered as the highest peak of southern part of Great Himalayas. Need trekking and camping to watch the rare bird species of Blyth’s Tragopan, Rufous – necked Hornbill and Mrs. Hume’s Phesant.

• Nearest Cities: Tuensang, Mokokchung, Jorhat.
• Nearest Airports at: Jorhat, Dimapaur.
• Nearest Railway Station: Mariani.

4. KHONOMA
One among the largest village of the area, Khonoma declared their community forest as a Tragopan Sanctuary; officially came to be known as Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary in 1998 with an area of 87 sq km. Though the area have been reduced to 25 sq km birds get necessary protection from the people of the area and thus Khonoma become a secure nest for rare and endangered species of birds. A great place to watch Blyth’s Tragopan and Dark – rumped Swift at a easily accessible distance from Kohima.

• Nearest Cities: Kohima, Dimapur.
• Nearest Airports at: Dimapur, Jorhat.
• Nearest Railway Stations: Dimapur, Bokajan.

5. MOUNT ZEPHU
The 2605 high Mt. Zephu is also known as Ziphu and Zepuhu. Situated in Phek district on the catchment area of Chindwin River. A number of Rufous – necked Hornbill, Blyth’s Tragopan, Hume’s Phesant and Rufous – Throated Hill Patridge live within this beautiful combination of subtropical broadleaf and temperate broadleaf forests. The luckiest people may observe rare Wood Snipe. Need trekking and camping.

• Nearest Cities: Kohima, Dimapur.
• Nearest Airport at: Dimapur:
• Nearest Railway Stations: Dimapur, Bokajan.

6. SATOI
The trail from Satoi village near Zunheboto town to broad leaf forests is an excellent range for bird lovers and Ornithologists.

• Nearest Cities: Zunheboto, Mokokchung.
• Nearest Airport at: Jorhat.
• Nearest Railway Station: Mariani.

7. DZUKOU VALLEY
The beautiful valley of Dzukou Lilly (an endemic flower) worth trekking to explore its rich bird life along with breathtaking natural scenario. Though the urban structure of Kohima is situated near to it, travelers need a trekking period of almost 6 hours.

• Nearest Cities: Kohima, Dimapur.
• Nearest Airport at: Dimapur.
• Nearest railway stations: Dimapur, Bokajan.

8. FAKIM WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
The around 6.4 sq km tiny sanctuary, almost 30 km from village Pungao provide good facility to watch birds. It is situated on the slopes of Mt. Saramati.

• Nearest Cities: Zunheboto, Mokokchung.
• Nearest Airport at: Jorhat.
• Nearest Railway station: Mariani.

9. PULIE BADGE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Situated at the up skirt area of Kohima the sanctuary has an area of only 4 sq km. The area was declared protected mainly for rare Blyth’s Tragopan.

• Nearest Cities: Kohima, Dimapur.
• Nearest Airport at: Dimapur.
• Nearest Railway stations: Dimapur, Bokajan.

10. MOUNT PAONA 
Situated in the Barail Range of Peren District, Mt Paona is one of the most mountainous area of the state. The ighest peak is 2062 meter in highet. A famous site for Great Oriental Pied Hornbill, Brown Hornbill and Grey Sibia along with Blyth’s Tragopan.

• Nearest Cities: Kohima, Dimapur. 
• Nearest Airport at: Dimapur. 
• Nearest railway stations: Dimapur, Bokajan.

OTHER IMPORTANT BIRD WATCHING SITES

• Doyang Reservvoir : Wokha District.
• Shilloi Lake : Phek District.
• Phutsero-Chizami : Phek District.
• Mount Japhu : Kohima District.

COMMON BIRD SPECIES
Lesser Whistling Teal, Lesser Tree Duck, Black Eagle, Amur Falcon, Manipur Bush Quail, Mountain Bamboo Partridge, Blyth’s Tragopan, Kaleej Pheasant, Red Jungle Fowl, Mrs Hume’s Pheasant, Grey Peacock Pheasant, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Great Hill Barbet, Jungle Crow, Yellow-Throated Laughing-Thrush, Stripped Laughing-Thrush, Streak Throated Barwing, White-Naped Yuhina, Baya Weaver, House Sparrow.

RARE AND ENDANGERED BIRD SPECIES
Great Cormorant, Oriental Darter, Great White-Bellied Heron, White Winged Wood Duck, Black-Shouldered Kite, Wood Snipe, Green Imperial Pigeon, Pale-Capped Pigeon, Large Hawk Cuckoo, Grass Owl, Spot-Bellied Eagle Owl, Khasi Hills Swift, Brown Hornbill, Rufous-Necked Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Giant Hornbill, Yellow-Rumped Honeyguide, Blue-Napped Pitta, Bank Myna, Red-Billed Blue Magpie, Brown-Capped Laughing Thrush, Beautiful Sibia, Purple Cochoa, Green Cochoa, Beautiful Nuthatch.


By Pradyut Pawan Gogoi in collaboration Rituraj Burhagohain
Photography by Keshab Rabha

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