Natural beauty, rich wildlife, serene waterfalls, and vibrant culture – are all of the things Assam is known for! But what most people don’t know is that Assam has a history dating back to the 10th century.
Did you know that? If not, we have curated this list of the best historical places in Assam for all the history buffs and curious travelers.
Plan a trip to Northeast India and explore the famous monuments of Assam that including incredible forts, ancient temples, and magnificent forts. Add them to your itinerary and enjoy an exciting heritage tour in Assam.
Take a look at the famous historical places in Assam to know the rich history and witness brilliant architectural works.
List of 8 Historical Places in Assam
- Rang Ghar – Colosseum of the East
- Hajo Powa Mecca – One-Quarter of Mecca
- Talatal Ghar – World’s Largest Ahom Monument
- Surya Pahar – Archaeologist’s Gold Mine
- Khaspur – Royal Seat of the Kachari Kings
- Charaideo – Assam Pyramids
- Sukapha Samannay Kshetra – Memorial of Sukapha
- Satras – Institutional Centres for Monks
1. Rang Ghar
- Location: 3 km from Sibsagar, Assam
- Rang Ghar Timings: 9 am – 5 pm
- Rang Ghar Entry Fees: INR 5 per person
Rang Ghar is often regarded as the ‘Colosseum of the East’. Being one of the oldest surviving amphitheaters in Asia, Rang Ghar is one of the best Sivasagar historical sites in Assam.
Rang Ghar meaning the ‘House of Entertainment’ was originally a two-storied building. It was used as a royal sports pavilion, especially during the Rongali Bihu Festival.
This historical place in Assam dates back to 1746 AD when Ahoms used to rule the state. Thus, this edifice is of much historical importance and reflects the architectural precision and grandeur of the past.
In 2007, Rang Ghar served as the logo for the 33rd National Games held in Assam. Unfortunately, frequent earthquakes in the area have caused damage to this building and 35 noticeable cracks can be seen on the walls. Nevertheless, its splendor still makes it worth a visit.
How to reach Rang Ghar
You can take a bus from the major cities in Assam to Sibsagar. There is also a railway station in Sibsagar that makes it easy to reach. From there, take a taxi or an auto-rickshaw to Rang Ghar.
2. Hajo Powa Mecca
- Location: No.1 Bhelkar, Assam
- Hajo Powa Mecca Timings: You can visit any time of the day.
- Hajo Powa Mecca Entry Fees: No entry fee is required.
Hajo Powa Mecca has many legends associated with it. As per one of them, it is believed that the fountain of this Mecca was laid from the soil brought from the holy Mecca. And thus, it is one of the most religious historical places in Assam.
Hajo Powa Mecca means one-quarter of Mecca and that is why people believe that visiting here will bless them with one-fourth of the god’s grace that they would otherwise get in Mecca. Isn’t that interesting?
This mosque in Assam was constructed in 1657 by Mir Lutufullah-i-Shiraji under the rule of Shah Jahan. It is also home to the tomb of a famous pioneer of Islam, Pir Giasuddin Auliya. The ambiance here is calm, which lures not only devotees but history buffs and regular tourists as well. If you want a blend of holiness and history, Hajo Powa Mecca is the best historical place to visit in Assam.
How to reach Hajo Powa Mecca
The distance from Guwahati to Hajo Powa Mecca is about 36 km and takes about 1 hour to reach by road. You can use a bus or car service from Guwahati to reach Hajo Powa Mecca.
3. Talatal Ghar
- Location: Dicial Dhulia Gaon, Assam
- Talatal Ghar Timings: 9 am – 6 pm
- Talatal Ghar Entry Fees: No entry fee is required.
Add Talatal Ghar to your list of top 10 historical monuments in Assam. Also called Kareng Ghar, this monument is a testament to Assamese culture.
And the fact that it is the largest building among all Ahom monuments in the world, makes it worth a visit. If you are a history buff or an architecture lover, visit Talatal Ghar in Rangpur.
Talatal Ghar was constructed between 1751 AD and 1769 AD by the great Ahom Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha. It was used by the royal of Assam as their residence.
The two tunnels and three underground floors in this building served as emergency evacuation for the King and the army in times of crisis.
This stunning monument is built in pure organic material like bricks and cement (rice powder and duck eggs), which makes it a notable structure.
How to reach Talatal Ghar
You can take a train to Sibsagar railway station located approx. 5 km from Talatal Ghar. A 5 min rickshaw ride will take you to this historical place. Buses are also available from Sibsagar Bus Stand at a very cheap price.
4. Surya Pahar
- Location: Bhatiapara, Assam
- Surya Pahar Timings: 10 am – 5 pm, closed on Fridays
- Surya Pahar Entry Fees: No entry fee is required.
Owing to many archaeological discoveries, Surya Pahar in Assam is also referred to as an Archaeologist’s Gold Mine. Located 12 km from the Goalpara district, Surya Pahar is one of the lesser-known historical places in Assam that you must visit.
As per the name, Surya Pahar which means Hill of the Sun, it is said that this place was connected with the cult of sun worship. What do you think? Also, the things found at this site have been put on display at a local museum.
Locals say that this historical place in Assam has 99,999 Shiva Lingas. Can you believe it? They also believe that this is one of the hidden historical places of Assam that has many stories, mysteries, and treasures buried in it.
This place holds major historical as well as religious significance for Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains. Surya Pahar is even listed among the most important heritage sites of the ancient remains in Assam.
How to reach Surya Pahar
This place is located just 127 km from Guwahati. You can avail bus or taxi services to reach Surya Pahar.
Also Read: 18 Best Places to Visit in Assam in 2021
5. Khaspur
- Location: Cachar District, Assam
- Khaspur Timings: Any time of the day.
- Khaspur Entry Fees: No entry fee is required.
Once the capital of the Kachari kings in medieval times, Kahaspur is one of the famous historical places in Assam that many history buffs love to visit.
This place exhibits the rich cultural heritage of Assam and the glory of Khaspur can be seen in its ruins today. Khaspur is famous for its Kachari Fort, which served as the royal seat of the Kachari Dynasty.
Khaspur has a suryadwar (entrance of the sun) and a devalaya (house of the gods). Going back to the 18th century, this Assam historical place was ruled by the Dimasa Kachari when the Koch king died without an heir.
They then built the Kachari Fort in Assam. If you want to peek into the glorious past of Assam, Khaspur is one of the best historical places to visit in Assam.
How to reach Khaspur
You can take a bus or taxi from Silchar to Khaspur. The distance between Silchar and Khaspur is approx. 21 km and will take you around 40 to 45 min.
6. Charaideo
- Location: Charaideo District, Assam
- Charaideo Timings: Any time of the day.
- Charaideo Entry Fees: No entry fee is required.
Built by Sukapha, the founder of the Ahom dynasty, Charaideo is said to be the capital of the Ahom dynasty. It is located approx. 28 km away from Sibsagar town and is the burial ground of several Ahom kings and queens.
In fact, at the top of the hill, 42 tombs of the kings and queens are found. They are made of stone and bricks and showcase how the Ahom rulers used to live back in the day.
What’s more? It is said that Charaideo is called the Pyramids of Assam. They resemble the architecture of the Egyptian pyramids.
The architectural brilliance of the medieval period is worth seeing here. If this interests you, plan a visit to one of the top historical monuments in Assam, Charaideo.
How to reach Charaideo
Take a bus or taxi from Sibsagar. It will take your approx. 30 minutes from Sibsagar to Charaideo.
7. Sukapha Samannay Kshetra
- Location: Jorhat, Assam
- Sukapha Samannay Kshetra Timings: 9.30 am – 4.30 pm
- Sukapha Samannay Kshetra Entry Fees: INR 10 for adults, INR 5 for children, INR 20 for taking a camera inside.
Sukapha Samannay Kshetra is built in the honor of the first Ahom king of Assam, Sukapha or Siu-Ka-Pha. He was the founder of the Ahom dynasty, which continued for nearly 600 years. Located in Mohbandha near Jorhat and Derain, it is one of the best historical places in Assam you can visit.
Suggested reading: Things to do in Jorhat
Sukapha was a Thai prince who came here crossing the Patkai range. He was the chief person who started uniting the tribal and non-tribal people of the area.
Thus, Sukapha Samannay Kshetra was an honor and preserved the remarkable leadership of King Sukapha. Today, excavation has been running here to find any other remains of Sukapha and the Ahom dynasty.
How to reach Sukapha Samannay Kshetra
The distance from Jorhat to Sukapha Samannay Kshetra is approx. 14 km and with the help of a taxi or bus, you can reach this historical place in around 30 min.
Also Read : How to reach Jorhat
Also check out: Historical Monuments in Meghalaya you should Explore
8. Satras
Location: Majuli, Assam
Satras in Assam are institutional centers located on one of the largest inhabited river islands in the world, Majuli. They have been associated with the Ekasarana tradition of Vaishnavism and date back to the 16th century.
Satras are large prayer halls facing a shrine and are encompassed by bathing tanks and dormitories for monks. They are one of the best historical places in Assam you can visit to understand Assamese culture.
Related articles: Things To Do in Majuli
The Institution of Satra was founded by the father of Assamese culture, Sankardeva. And for clarification, they are not just monasteries but places of traditional performing arts. The first Satra was founded in the 15th century in Majuli.
After that, 65 Satras came up. At present, there are only 22 Satras in Majuli while others were shifted due to flood and erosion. Auni-ati, Kamalabari, Dakhinpat, Garamur, Samaguri, Bengena-ati and Natun Kamalabari are some of the famous Satras of Assam.
How to reach Majuli
Majuli is only accessible by ferry. For that, you need to get off at Jorhat Airport and from there, take a bus or taxi to cover 45 km of distance in approx. 2 hours, for more detail you can visit this link.
Take your history-loving friends or family on a trip to Assam and explore the top historical sites to peek into the rich Assamese past. You will learn a lot about the Ahom dynasty, which lies in the ruins of these Assam historical places.
Thinking of taking up a heritage tour in Assam? Indian Holiday offers great tours in Assam to give first-hand knowledge and explore the best historical places in Assam. So, give us a call now!
Manmeet Kaur
A writer by profession and a storyteller by heart, Manmeet has a passion for traveling and treating her taste buds to different cuisines. Besides, she loves to binge-watch movies and series every now and then. She is also an avid reader, which keeps her engaged.
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