Moiramora Doul or Moiramora Than is a historical site in India located at Khamtighat in Mancotta Mouza of Dibrugarh district. Presently, only the ruins of the Moiramora Doul or Than have been discovered. Now, Moiramora Satra is situated at the site of the ruins. The Moiramora Ruins are situated on the bank of the Dihing at Khamtighat. The site features stone sculptures of various postures and attitudes dating back to the early and late medieval period, characterized by native ethnic texture.[1] The Archaeological Department of the Government of Assam has recognized the Moiramora Doul as a State Protected Monument.[2]
The original stone temple at the site of Moimora can be stylistically dated to the early medieval period (9th-10th century).[3] In later centuries, this structure was replaced by a brick temple. Thermoluminescence (TL) dating of bricks from the site places its construction in the 13th–14th century,[4] when the region was ruled by the Chutia kingdom, indicating that the temple was likely constructed under Sutiya royal patronage.[5] Studies of palaeochannels in Upper Assam based on satellite imagery suggest that during the medieval period the Dihing River followed a more southerly course away from the site and likely joined the Disang River near Bakata.[6] Assamese Buranji chronicles describe Bakata as being situated on the banks of the Dihing River, a view also noted by historian Edward Gait in his account of Assam’s historical geography.[7]
Satra period
Bor Jadumoni, a prominent disciple of Gopal Ata of the Kaal-Sanghati Satra of Ekasarana Dharma founded by Srimanta Sankardeva and Sri Sri Madhavdeva, established the Moiramora Satra at Kalaulwa on the banks of the Burhi Dihing River. During the reign of the Ahom king Sujinphaa (1675–77 AD), both the king and the premier Atan Burhagohain converted to Nam Dharma and became disciples of the Moiramora Satra. The satra and its pond were constructed under Ahom patronage. An earthquake and subsequent flooding and erosion by the Burhi Dihing caused the collapse of the satra daul, which was later repaired by the Ahom kings in the 17th–18th century.[8]
The satra was later damaged by natural disasters and abandoned due to internal uprisings in the Ahom kingdom and the third Burmese invasion. It was subsequently re-established at Kujibali in Hahchara Mouza of Sivasagar district. After the Burhi Dihing changed its course, ruins of the original satra were rediscovered by later settlers, who built a Than Ghar for worship. The family of the satradhikar later re-established the satra at the site, continuing the propagation of Nam Dharma.[9]
Description
The area is currently being conserved and enhanced by the Archaeological Department of the Government of Assam under a scheme initiated in 2010. The archaeological department, along with the Dibrugarh district administration and local youth organizations, has constructed a fence, a concrete museum, and an altar covering around 7 bighas of land. Within the site, there are 13 rock-cut idols and fragments of several idols preserved in the gardens and local galleries of the Moiramora Than archaeological site. Excavations conducted in 2018 revealed evidence of two different periods of cultural civilization.[10] The museum showcases altars of ancient temples made of bricks, copper coins from the British era, silver flowers, stone sculptures, and clay bricks of various shapes.[11] Notably, the granite stone sculptures found here date back to the 8th to 9th centuries CE, while the sandstone sculptures are relatively more recent.[10]
Location
The Moiramora Daul is situated on the banks of the Burhidihing River, approximately two kilometers west of Khamati Ghat in Mancotta Mouza of Dibrugarh district. It is well connected to Dibrugarh city, with the Dibrugarh railway station around 20 km away and the Dibrugarh Airport about 27 km away. The Moiramora Satra is situated in the former Langeri Mouza, which is now known as "Jakai Napam Than Gaon."
↑Saikia, R.R,"Chronological and Archaeometric Evaluation of Bricks from Archaeological Sites of Upper Assam, Northeast India: Estimation of the Firing Temperature and Civilization History", p.17
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