The Prime Minister made his way to two significant historical sites in Assam: Sivasagar’s Jerenga Pothar and Dhekiajuli town. These places hold immense historical and cultural significance, epoch-making events of royal sacrifice, and India’s struggle for independence unfolded here.
Jerenga Pothar: A Symbol of Royal Courage
Jerenga Pothar is an open field in Sivasagar town, and it’s renowned as a symbol of the bravery displayed by the 17th-century Ahom princess Joymoti. This region, initially Rangpur, was the center of power for the influential Ahom dynasty that reigned over Assam for six centuries (1228-1826).
Chaolumg Sukapha was the founder of this Ahom kingdom. During a tumultuous period from 1671 to 1681 for the kingdom, Prince Godapani (Joymoti’s husband) escaped to the Naga Hills evading capture. However, Joymoti fell into enemy hands who hoped she would disclose her husband’s location. Despite days of severe torture, she steadfastly refused to share any details. Joymoti ended ultimately sacrificing her life for her husband, but her death marked the beginning of stability and peace in Assam under King Godapani. The place where Joymoti was tortured and met her tragic end is now known as Jerenga Pothar.
Significance of Jerenga Pothar
Although Jerenga Pothar isn’t recognized as a protected archaeological site, its surroundings comprise several protected sites like the “Na Pukhuri” tank towards its east and “Pohu Garh”, a zoo dating back to the Ahom period in the west. Also situated nearby is the grand Joysagar tank, commissioned by Ahom king Swargadeo Rudra Singha in 1697, along with the Vishnu Dol temple. The place was used for the centenary festivities of Asam Sahitya Sabha, an influential literary organization, back in 2017.
Dhekiajuli Town: Home to Young Freedom Fighters
Dhekiajuli town is famous as the land which potentially saw the youngest martyr in India’s freedom struggle. On September 20th, 1942, freedom fighter teams known as ‘Mrityu Bahini’ or death squads, marched to various police stations across multiple towns in Assam. These processions were part of the Quit India Movement, intending to hoist the tricolor atop police stations seen as colonial symbols.
These squads witnessed broad participation, including women and children. However, the heavy-handed response from the British administration led to the death of at least 15 people in Dhekiajuli, including three women and a 12-year-old girl named Tileswari Barua. Remembered as one of the youngest martyrs in India’s freedom struggle, Tileswari Barua left an indelible mark on Dhekiajuli town’s history. Consequently, September 20th has long been observed as Martyrs’ Day in Dhekiajuli.
