Rang Ghar, Royal sports pavilion in Sivasagar district, India
Rang Ghar is a two-story brick pavilion in Sivasagar designed as an amphitheater for watching sports and competitions. The structure features multiple arched openings at ground level and a distinctive roof shaped like an inverted boat with carved stone crocodiles adorning the corners.
Built in 1746 during the reign of Swargadeo Pramatta Singha, this stands as one of Asia's oldest amphitheaters from that era. It represents the Ahom kingdom's architectural ambitions and their interest in creating spaces for royal entertainment.
The pavilion served as a gathering place where Ahom rulers and their court watched buffalo fights and sporting contests during festival celebrations. This reveals how central such events were to the kingdom's social life.
The site is easily accessible by regular bus services from major cities in Assam or via the local railway station nearby. Comfortable walking shoes are helpful since the structure sits on elevated ground with steps leading to different viewing levels.
The construction used thin baked bricks joined with a special mortar made from rice paste, eggs, and local fish rather than standard cement. This unusual binding method has proven remarkably durable over the centuries.
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