Itafort: The state heritage of Arunachal Pradesh
When we visit a place, the first thing we want to know is its history. Every place has a story of its own - some we gradually learn, but there are some stories which remain unexplored.
One of the important historical places in Arunachal Pradesh is the Itafort, from which Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal, got its name. Itafort is an archaeological monument which represents a forgotten chapter in the history of Northeast India. Tragically, however, today it has become a monument of brickwork in ruins through years of neglect.
“Though the monument is under the State Archaeological Survey, nothing much has been done to preserve it,” said Tadu Rinku, who works in the Archaeological Museum. “The state government has declared Itafort as State heritage, but it does not provide any financial support to conserve and protect this heritage.”
The state Archaeological Survey, Rinku said, is yet trying their best to preserve Itafort from the little aid they get from the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India).
There is an Archaeological Museum near the Western Gate of the ruins, where things which were found from the site during excavation have been kept for public viewing. It is estimated that the fort was built between 1350 and 1450A.D. during the periods of the Muslim invasion of Assam from the west and the Ahom making inroads from the east. It believed that the fort was built by Ramachandra, the King of Mayapur.
There are two brick walls and three gates - the Eastern Gate, the Western Gate and the Southern Gate. These three gates are of varying designs and have been built at strategic points. The existing remains are only a fraction of the original fort.
Near Raj Bhavan (Governor’s House) is the Eastern Gate, built of stone masonry and which has been considerably destroyed. Overlooking Doimukh in the Dikrong Valley, it is the highest point in the fort, best suited to watch and guard the eastern approach from Harmoti. The Western Gate is towards Bank Tinali and can be seen from National Highway NH-52A. It faces Senki river and appears to be the main entrance.
The Southern Gate is the only gate which is comparatively in a better condition. It is largely brick-built, though stone was also utilized. This is the part of the ruins people mostly visit and spend time.
Rinku informed that large parts of the ruins of the walls which had been found in other parts of the capital were destroyed during the course of the development of the capital. The only remains of the fort are these three gates.
“Earlier, we used to issue tickets and kept a guard at the Southern Gate. The system had to be discontinued after people started refusing to buy tickets and getting into fights with the guards.”
Most of the youths of the capital complex are apathetic towards the monument and its history, and give no regard to its protection. They are the ones who mostly visit the place and spoil its beauty by indulging in activities like drinking,smoking and leaving garbage such as cigarette butts, wrappers and empty bottles behind.
If the destructive trend continues – as is likely it will – there is a real threat that Itafort, which gave the capital city its name, will become a footnote in the capital’s history someday – one that is heard of but not seen anymore.
- Monalisa Patsani (Written in 4 January 2012 , unpublished)
