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Ambari


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Printed in India


iii

Ambari

Prodyut Kumar Deka

EDUCREATION PUBLISHING (Since 2011)

www.educreation.in


iv


v

Dedicated To

This book is dedicated to my late grandparents

Mahendra Nath Deka & Swarnalata Deka

X


vi

Preface

The story is told from my point of view as a

filmmaker in the way it would have been portrayed

in screen if it had been made into a film. I believe a

writer and filmmaker have something in common.

Both try to communicate a story.

I still believe that the story could be made into

a film someday.

My acknowledgements are due to my friends

Pranjal Baruah and Debashish Goswami for taking

the pain of reading my first draft; delightful literary

couples Utpal & Namrata Datta; Prantik Deka;

Madhusmita Borkotoki & my family for their

generous support.

Educreation Publishing provided me the

opportunity to bring out my manuscript to you. I

convey my sincere thanks to Vikram Singh Thakur,

Shobha Khande and Mithlesh Kaushik, the

Management team of Educreation Publishing for

guiding me in every step of publishing this book. I

am also grateful to Dilip Sharma, Guide Lecturer of

the Directorate of Archeology, Assam for his

proficient advice.

In an age when the world has been applauding

the exploits of fictional wizard Harry Potter, it

remains virtually unknown to the world that there is


vii

actually a whole village practicing magic in a

remote place of India. My book is a modest attempt

to introduce the place to you.

All places depicted in the story are real while

characters and events are ficticious, any

resemblance to real persons living or dead is purely

coincidence.

Prodyut Kumar Deka.

X


viii

Prologue

Located in the Nilachal hill, in a mountain cave

adjacent to the temple, around six head priests clad

with dhotis sat in a sort of round table symposium.

The priests were around hundred years old, lean and

skinny with long grey beards.

The time was almost midnight. Such an

assembly at this hour didn’t happen in a thousand

years.

One of the Sadhus pronounced, “We all know

what has happened. Let us not talk about the

trivialities. Let us now examine the consequence

first.” The Sadhu looked like the leader among

them.

There was silence.

The Sadhu reflected on the recent event which

has occurred in this part. And which is going to

threaten their very existence.

There is a myth from this North Eastern part of

India which has not been forgotten by all. Like

many myths, this story has also some share of

history, truth and fiction combined into one, not

necessarily in that order.

Pragjyotishpura was the capital of Kamrupa at

that time, the ancient name of Assam. Bhanu,

grandson of Suparna, the ruler of Pragjyotishpura

was born in the family of Vajradatta. The genealogy


ix

of this dynasty traces its lineage from King Naraka

and his son King Bhagadatta. Both of them are

frequently mentioned in ancient Indian epics like

the Purans and Tantras. King Bhagadatta is

mentioned in the Mahabharata as a powerful

monarch ruling in the east. He died fighting for

Kouravas in the great battle which doesn’t need any

summation here.

Located within Pragjyotishpura are two

important seats of tantric worship. One is the shakti

temple of Goddess Kamakhya in Nilachal hill and

the unique astrological temple Navagraha in

Chitrachal Hill. Both are situated atop hills that

overlook the Brahmaputra River.

It is believed that the Kamakhya Devi shrine

hosts the yoni of Sati that fell here following the

destruction of Daksha's sacrifice. This Shakti Peetha

symbolizes the union of Shiva with Shakti, as

described in the Kalika Purana. They are depicted in

constant union where Kamakhya is the Goddess of

desire, who grants salvation. She is the young bride

of Lord Shiva and together they symbolize the

sublime reality of the miracle of life, the everlasting

bliss of male and female union. The inner sanctum

is a deep dark underground rocky chamber into

which one descends by a flight of steep steps. The

Matra Yoni which is inscribed on a rock is covered

with silk sarees and is constantly moist by

underground spring water.

Not far from Pragjyotispura, is situated a tiny

but sovereign monarchy called Mayong which is

revered and dreaded by all in the whole of India. It

lies on the bank of the river Brahmaputra,


x

approximately 40 km from the capital of Kamrupa.

Mayong comes from the word Maya since it is

considered as the land of illusion. The place is

considered the cradle of black magic and witchcraft

in Asia. It is said that Chief Ghatotkacha took part

in the battle of Mahabharata with his magical

powers derived from Mayong.

It was ironic that two powerful rulers of this

region took part in the great battle of Mahabharata

on opposite sides. The reasons were purely personal

and not based on any treaty. King Bhagadatta’s

sister Bhanumati was married to Duryudhana, the

eldest brother of the Kauravas. Interestingly, she

was his only wife unlike the Pandavas. And

Ghatotkacha was a son of Bheema. Due to their

respective relationships, Bhagadatta and

Ghatotkacha had no other choice in fact. However,

Barbarika, son of Ghatotkacha and Maurvi, didn’t

participate in the war. It is said that Barbika was

bound by the principal of fighting on the losing

side. Lord Krishna advised him to stand as witness

of the battle without taking any part.

Nevertheless, it did create a bit of resentment

between the two neighbors. The lineage of

Ghatotkacha is not known. After his death, it is

assumed his dynasty lived somewhere in the

kingdom of Mayong. However, we know for certain

that the present rulers of Kamrupa were descendants

of Bhagadatta. Nevertheless, both these neighbors

grew apart after that Great War.

Another reason of their conflict was due to the

diverse style of culture adopted by their respective

monarchs. Kamrupa being more multicultural and


xi

cordial towards immigrants continued its relations

with the rest of India. The rulers of Kamrupa had

come under the influence of Hinduism very early

and were fond of learning. They often welcomed

learned sages and thinkers from the mainland for

their discourses here. Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsiang

who visited ancient Assam in a later period had

written an account of his travels and gave a fairly

comprehensive description of the place praising the

rulers of Kamrupa.

Nonetheless, the predominant form of

Hinduism in this part of India was Tantric

Hinduism. It is said that when the Kamakhya

temple was opened newly, the occasion was

celebrated by the immolation of no less than a

hundred and forty men, whose head were offered to

the Goddess on dishes made of copper.

Meanwhile magic became the fundamental cult

of the kingdom of Mayong. They principally

remained outside the mainland and the tribal priests

practiced their own form of worship including black

magic and witchcraft. The place slowly became

isolated and people developed cold feet towards

Mayong due to its increasing legends and horror

tales. Human sacrifice remained largely prevalent in

both places. It was regarded favorably by the

Tantric sect of Hinduism. It is said that the person

selected for sacrifice was fed sumptuously, until he

was in sufficiently plump condition to suit the

supposed taste of the Goddess, and he was then

executed.

Nonetheless, after many years of hostility

between them, it was going to change.


xii

Avanti, the young princess of Mayong, had

made a short trip to Kamrupa to offer prayers in the

temple of Goddess Kamakhya. As per protocol,

King Bhanu organized a private gathering in honor

of the princess. Both of them met for the first time

in the palace and the hot-blooded Suparna couldn’t

take his eyes away from her.

Princess Avanti was not what we call gorgeous

but there were some fascinating features about her

especially her being tall, broad shoulders and

having a scrumptious body. She was also serious,

quiet and calm in her actions which made her even

more attractive. The Princess was also aware of the

cold vibes their kingdoms shared with each other.

Though she would have loved to change that,

nevertheless she tried to avoid the King without

being discourteous to him.

However, destiny had its call. Eventually

Avanti also took a liking for the young King of

Kamrupa. Meanwhile, King Bhanu arranged

numerous occasions to meet her as much as he can.

During this short but firm courtship, both the royal

blood fell in unfathomable love with each other.

Bhanu requested her to prolong her stay in Kamrupa

for some more days and the princess enchanted by

this offer had agreed. They now secretly met often

as they could.

Soon their courtship reached the ears of the old

priests of the Kamakhya temple. It was inevitable

that the powerful priests would be kept up-to-date

of this major event by the spies from the royal

palace.


xiii

Upon a call by the Head Priest of the temple,

they had gathered today to take a decision on the

matter even though it was in the wee hours.

Finally, another sadhu spoke, “It is impossible.

We can’t permit it.”

Again there was silence. The leader looked

around the faces of his associates. Even though

there was not enough light in the room, he visibly

saw cynicism.

“Why?” he asked.

“They can’t be trusted. Their powers are very

unpredictable. We can’t let them encroach on our

territory.” The sadhu answered.

“They are evil.” Another snarled.

After half an hour, most of the sadhus had

expressed their opinions promptly. No one wanted

an alliance between them.

“But we may gain from sharing their special

powers.” Only one moderate had remarked.

But it was immediately criticized and bypassed

by the others.

“Their objective is to dominate us. We will not

be able to control them with their knowledge of

dark powers. It will be fatal for Kamrupa.”

“Their primary objective is to intrude in our

territory.”

“We don’t want to be isolated from the world.”

Suddenly everybody was silent, waiting for the

inevitable to hear.

The leader among them looked at each of the

priests once again. They were all looking at him

eagerly.


xiv

He spoke slowly, “So what do you suggest?”

No one said anything. Everyone was silent.

It is a fact that the King can’t marry without the

approval of the high priests. And the priests don’t

approve of this alliance; they will ensure whatever it

needs to stop this conjugal. Such a lethal alliance

detrimental to their interest has to be stopped.

“We will not let the princess return back alive.”

One of the Sadhus growled back.

“The King also has to pay the price. It would be

a precedent for posterity.”

“No one will know about it.”

The decision had been taken.

Instead of telling you the inevitable, let us go to

the present-day.

Which has nothing to do with the ancient?

X


Ambari

1

W

Dr Rabha was taken aback at first. Then slowly he

looked at it with his magnifying glass. Very

carefully he rubbed away the small layers of dirt

from it. A shine come from it. Now he was certain

although he had guessed it instantaneously.

It was a ring, no doubt about it. A snake ring...

The time was about 9.15 pm. Except for the

sounds of the distance crickets, there was tranquility

in the air. The room was large, around 800 sq. feet

surrounded by various artifacts scattered around all

over. The walls were hanging with long shelves of

large books. Several broken stone statues were also

standing nearby. Dr Rabha was seated over an

antique chair in front of a long table where several

pieces of relics were kept. A bright spot light was

hanging on top of the roof.

Dr Pratap Rabha, aged 56 years, is a bachelor

and a leading archaeologist of the State. He is the

Superintending Archaeologist of the Archaeological

Survey of India’s Guwahati Circle.

1


Prodyut Kumar Deka

2

He lives alone in a chalet in the hills of Sarania

situated near the heart of the city. He has his own

study room and laboratory adjacent with his lodge.

Dr Rabha had selected this place after much

exploration and deliberations. He had immediately

fallen in love with the place after visiting it for the

first time. There is also a reason for his fondness for

this place. In ancient times, the Sarania hills were

called Chitrakut Parvat. According to myths, the

capital of the ancient rulers Kirats was situated atop

the hills of Sarania. An ancient Kali temple still

exits there today.

He looked again at the ring and got lost in deep

thoughts.

The recent excavation at Ambari

Archaeological site jointly by the Guwahati Circle

of ASI led by Dr Rabha and the Directorate of

Archaeology was very important as prior to the

discovery of certain terracotta artifacts of first

century BC from an excavation site at Ambari in

2010, there was no archaeological evidence of the

city’s existence prior to 7th century AD.

According to Dr Rabha, even though one can

find mention of Guwahati, which was known as

Pragjyotishpur in ancient times in epics such as

Mahabharata and Puranas, there are not many

archaeological evidences about its ancient history,

particularly before 7th century AD.

Originally the Ambari Archaeological Site

situated in the heart of the Guwahati city was

accidentally discovered in course of digging the

foundation for the building of the Reserve Bank of


Ambari

3

India in 1969. Since then, the site was excavated by

different excavators.

He had submitted a proposal to the ASI

headquarters in New Delhi for conducting fresh

excavation in and around the city to search for more

such clues, which could fill in the missing link, the

period between first century BC and 7th century

AD.

The Guwahati Circle of ASI was expecting to

start their fresh exploration in and around the city

after getting the approval from their headquarters.

The approval came after a year.

“We want to carry out our excavation in areas

along the Brahmaputra and the hills. Conducting

excavation here was not an easy task since there is

not much vacant space available”, Rabha had said

to the media before taking on the job.

And now the present phase of excavation at the

site is going on since February 3 under the joint

supervision of Dr Rabha and State Archaeology

Director. Three research scholars from Gauhati

University are also engaged in the excavation as

part of their capacity building exercise.

Since then, a large number of remains of

pottery were found at the site, it is believed that a

ceramic industry may have flourished in the area.

Besides pottery, several hearths and iron objects,

mixed pottery, some copper objects, iron slabs etc.

were also recovered.

Dr Rabha was excited by these discoveries. He

was certain that the site has the potential to provide

the history of the growth of Guwahati for a period


Prodyut Kumar Deka

4

of about 2,000 years in chronological order. Now

the only work to be done is to carefully study all

those objet d'art found recently.

He, however, was not expecting to find a snake

ring. Historically, it is one of the oldest and most

widespread mythological symbols. Snakes have

been associated with some of the oldest rituals

known to humankind and represent dual expression

of good and evil.

Now looking at the relic closely, he was about

to write something in his notebook when the sound

of the telephone gave him an instant shock.

Slowly, he moved to receive the old handset.

He was still not in terms with the smart phone.

“Hello, Dr Rabha speaking”

“Hello Rabha. I am Bhattacharya here. Did I

disturb you?”

Dr Anil Bhattacharya of the Anthropology

department was one of the research scholars from

Gauhati University who was engaged in the

excavation. The Anthropology Department of

Gauhati University was the first to conduct

excavation at Ambari in 1969 after which the

archaeology department carried out exploration in

1995, before the ASI and the archaeology

department carried out joint excavations.

“No, no. I was just having a look at those

artifacts. It was a routine check… actually I was

about to call you regarding something…” Dr Rabha

stopped there.

“Really, is it to do with those relics?”


Ambari

5

“Yes, I thought I should consult with you over

a stuff we recovered there…”

“Tell me”

“I think we have found a ring.”

“What? Did you mean a real ring?” Dr

Bhattacharya was still recovering from the initial

shock.

“Yes, a ring. I had a shock myself. I am also

sure it belongs to some important person.”

“Are you sure?”

“To be precise, it is a snake ring. I have never

seen anything like it before. The making of such a

delicate specimen suggests royal family. Only we

have to verify the period now.”

“What do you think yourself?’

Dr Rabha thought for some moments. He was

not sure himself.

The excavation at Ambari Archaeological Site

had for the first time found cultural findings of the

Sunga-Kushana period which dates to 2nd century

BC to 3rd century AD. Such findings were never

unearthed in Northeast India prior to this

excavation.

The most important discovery is a flight of

steps made of bricks leading to the tank. Besides,

the excavation has revealed two floors and two

hearths resting on the natural soil significantly.

“It might be around 2000 years old.” Dr Rabha

finally said.

“But we don’t have much knowledge of that

period except a flight of steps and two floors

unearthed just few years ago.”


Prodyut Kumar Deka

6

“Yes, it is a tricky situation. We apparently

have no chronological history before the rein of the

Varman dynasty.”

“About this ring… How much time it will take

to examine it?”

“I don’t know. Since all the other artifacts have

also to be first assembled together and then

recorded, it will take time. Also the Director’s

approval is needed before these are sent to the

laboratory in New Delhi for carbon dating.”

“But couldn’t we simply send the ring alone

first?

“It would also need the Director’s approval.”

“That might be arranged. Listen, this is

important. I think we have made a great

breakthrough to the ancient rulers of Kamrup

through this ring. We need to leave the other relics

for some time and concentrate on this ring only.”

“I agree with you. But I request you not to

divulge it to anyone now.”

“Sure. Well, I can only leave it to your capable

hands now.”

Dr Rabha returned to his table. He was in deep

thoughts now.

The names of the kings of ancient Assam from

the Varman dynasty in 430 A.D. has been in general

trustworthy and can be treated as historical records.

Kamrupa had attained considerably power and fair

degree of civilization which was confirmed by the

copper plate inscriptions of King Bhaskara Varman

and the narrative of Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsiang.


Ambari

7

But before this reign, information on the rulers

has to be relied on Hindu epics and in tantric

literature only. That is a very complicated matter.

Dr Rabha remembered the words of Sir Edward

Gait, “The ruins which still survive represent only

an inconsiderable fragment of the buildings that

were once in existence but more will doubtless

come to light when the jungle which now covers so

vast an area in Assam comes to be removed to make

way for extension of cultivation.” Those words have

always given him some confidence and fervor in his

work. Sir Edward Gait had written “A history of

Assam” in 1905 which was one of the first attempts

at a connected history of the State in English.

Dr Rabha had taken a like to history since his

childhood. His family originally hails from

Goalpara, a large town in lower Assam. Goalpara

was an important trading center from where the

British East India Company carried out its business.

His father, Chandan Rabha, a school teacher, used

to narrate his only son the stories of ancient

Kamrupa in his childhood.

Father and son used to walk for long periods on

the banks of the river Brahmaputra adjoining the

Hulukanda hills until the sun goes down. It is one of

the natural scenic views in town with various

waterfowl and monkeys.

“Who built the Kamakhya temple, Deuta?” Ten

year old Pratap Rabha asked his father curiously.

“There is a story behind it, son. Narakasur was

monarch of that time. At first, he was pious and

prospered, but afterwards he came under the


Prodyut Kumar Deka

8

influence of Banasur, King of Sonitpur, and grew

irreligious and arrogant. He asked Goddess

Kamakhya to take him as her husband. She agreed,

on condition that he erected a temple to her on

Nilachal Hills and also constructs a tank and a road

to the temple in a single night.

“Did you say in a single night?” Young Rabha

was amazed.

“Yes, he had almost accomplished this task,

when the Goddess caused a cock to call and,

claiming this as proof that day had come, evaded

her promise and refused to marry him.”

“So she played a trick on him?”

“Yes”, his father laughed, “Overcome with

rage, Narakasur slew the cock, and the place where

he did this is still known as Kukurakata.”

“Did that angered the Goddess?”

“Yes, by this act Narakasur lost forever the

favor of the Goddess. Anyway, the temple was built

in this fashion.”

Young Rabha was an inquisitive type. He

would keep on asking questions till he was satisfied.

“If the Goddess was not interested to marry

him, why didn’t she refuse him in the first place

itself?”

“The ways of the Gods are strange and

mysterious, son. She is a very powerful Goddess.

She has her reasons for doing so.”

Young Rabha was not satisfied with the answer

but he remained quiet.


Ambari

9

After his matriculation, Rabha joined in the

Arts stream with Anthropology as the main subject.

His father was disappointed that his only son didn’t

go for engineering, commerce or the medical line.

In India, there are very few positions a person could

get from studying Anthropology except the

academic route. However, he didn’t object to his

son’s choice of study.

“Since I have to do a job in my life, I must

choose the subject I enjoy. Otherwise, how can I

remain in a profession without having some interest

in it all my life?” Rabha told his few friends on his

selection of Anthropology.

“I am basically a man of academics. Though

archeology is my favorite pastime, I can hardly earn

my livelihood from it. So I have chosen a subject

which is close to it.”

Nevertheless, Rabha was overall brilliant in his

studies. He passed his post-graduation with highest

marks and managed an International scholarship for

pursuing his doctorate in the prestigious Columbia

University in USA. After his return from America,

he initially joined Guwahati University as an

Anthropology lecturer. After ten years later, he

joined the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI)

Guwahati Circle as a Senior Archaeologist, a dream

he had cherished for many years.

Initially Dr Rabha took on the study of ancient

inscriptions of Assam. The ancient rulers of

Kamrupa have adopted Sanskrit culture since early

in the Christian era and they have left numerous

important inscriptions, many of them in beautiful


Prodyut Kumar Deka

10

verses, which throw much light on the history and

culture of the times.

He brought together these inscriptions in a

single volume, providing a full analysis, notes and

accurate translations for each of them. The book

brought much name and fame for Dr Rabha in the

academic profession and it became an invaluable

source book for the serious students of history.

Dr. Rabha had brought this plot of land on the

Sarania hills during his University days. Later he

constructed his own house and a research laboratory

there with assistance from Archaeological Survey of

India. He devotes much of his time nowadays,

sometimes even confines himself in the workroom

for several days, to the study of old relics and

inscriptions.

The recent excavation has made his

preoccupation more intense during the last few

days.

Dr Rabha put down the mysterious relic after

going through it again. He felt exhausted with the

day’s work. A good night sleep would make him

afresh for tomorrow, he thought. He shut down the

lights, locked the laboratory carefully and went

straight to his solitary chalet.

Dr Rabha had remained unmarried by his own

choice. His father tried hard to marry him off but he

responded back that he was not prepared for it.

“I really don’t understand it all. He has

everything in life, a good job, a respectable society,

decent house.” His father would ask his mother

sometimes.


Ambari

11

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