Main Info
Talatal Ghar, Sivasagar
A short glimpse of Talatal Ghar in Sivasagar
The Talatal Ghar which is also known as the Rangpur Palace can be found in the northern region of Assam. It is widely known for its skills in Tail Ahom architecture.
This doesn’t just corroborate and showcase the rich Assamese cultural history, it puts them out as the biggest and most renowned structure in the country.
This is one place that people with an interest in history and architecture should really check out. It boasts of very great architectural buildings. For instance, the ground floor of the building itself is known as Kareng Ghar, reserved as a palace for the royalty of Assam.
Rudra Singha, was the one who took over Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha, during his regime, he ensured more floors be added to the Talatal Ghar to make is a seven-story palace, this added to its beauty and elegance and increased its attraction rate.
One fun fact to know about the Talatal Ghar is that it was erected with only organic materials by that we mean – bricks and organic cement (a mixture of rice powder and duck eggs). It would interest you to know that this structure still stands tall and strong for centuries now.
More details on Talatal Ghar
History of Talatal Ghar
Talatal Ghar can be found in Rangpur, which is the capital of Ahom Kingdom, this big beautiful palace was first known as an army base. The palace was ordered to be built by the then famous rule Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha. He was a very famous Ahom ruler who ruled between 1751 AD and 1769 AD.
In addition, this magnificently awesome building has two underground passages and three underground floors. They were built to function as the emergency evacuation spot for the King and his army in times of danger.
The place was strategically built like a maze, one that even if the enemy found a way into the premises, they would be utterly confused!
Architectural skill of Talatal Ghar
After the death of Swargadeo Rudra Singha, the massive structure went through some major changes. Three storeys were added to it, making it a seven-storey palace.
If you happen to visit, take a stroll to the long alleys. You will find them from the east to the west side. Each passage has many empty rooms on either side. These rooms were once chambers occupied by the Assamese royalty.
There are rooms attached to the north and south passageways. These were used as minor division champers. Each was assigned for a different task that was assigned to a server who worked in the palace. Out of the seven-storey building, four lays above the ground and three lies below.
Although, in the beginning, the land was used as stables, constants, hoard rooms, and servants lodgings and so you can only imagine what it looked like back then. The chambers of the royals are on the second storey, but they are not allowed to be open to the general public. The veneration room also known as the octagonal room is towards the north, very close to the royal chambers. The chambers are so many, but there is one towards the south of Talatal Ghar it is separated from the other rooms. This is because it is believed to have been used for keeping the queen locked up.
The three floors built by the then king on the throne were set up with no artificial material. Some of the natural materials used were red bricks and organic cement made of rice powder and duck eggs. Since the time of its construction until now there has been no cause for alarm concerning the building. As against the upper floors that was constructed by his successor Swargadeo Rudra Singha, it was built mainly using wood, which is why it is in complete shambles at the moment.
Remember we said the Talatal Ghar was initially built as an army base when it was built, it had two secret tunnels one was connected to the Dikhow stream about 3 kilometers away while the other was connected to the Garhgaon fortress, about 16 kilometers away. They were to serve as hiding chambers.
The main reason why they were designed was to serve as an escape route for the king and his troops.
When is the Best Time To Visit Talatal Ghar?
Just as there is the best time to visit wherever you’re based, there is also a more favorable friendly time to visit the Talatal Ghar in Sivasagar and that is between March and April.
The weather during this time drop to 8 degrees Celsius. During day time, the temperature can rise to as much as 28 degrees Celsius. One fact about Sibsagar that shouldn’t be skipped is that there is usually occasional showers during the summer. Luckily, the showers cool the temperature and make it more bearable to live in. When it’s winter, it’s very cold, the temperatures range from as low as -6 – 10 degrees Celsius
Also, another time when the temperature fluctuates is during the monsoons, it moves between 11 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius, keeping the temperature quite pleasant, even though with the constant downpour you may not be able to explore to your taste.
To appreciate the wonderful beauty of the beautiful Talatal Ghar palace, visit it when its the day time because that is when the weather is extremely pleasant. You won’t be able to appreciate it’s beauty and structure in the dark when you can barely see.
How to Locate Talatal Ghar
The popular Railway Station In Sibsagar is like the closest to it, It is 4.7 km away from Talatal Ghar. This railway is linked to all the various cities in and around the state, it is merely a 17mins drive from Talatal Ghar.
Once you get off the station, there are cabs or auto-rickshaws that can take you to Talatal Ghar at a good price.
Some of these buses take the Bus Stand route, which passes around the entire city at affordable rates. Busses from other states like luxury buses, company’s buses also ply this route. This particular Bus Stand is very close to the Sibsagar Railway Station.
