BISWANATH CHARIALI, Aug 1 - �Biswanath has a historical importance. Once, it was a major centre of international business. There was a business route from China to Magadh from 7th to 10th century through Biswanath Ghat and the traders brought blankets, pearls, silk clothes from China and shipped them to other parts of the country.� This was observed by Dr Dhrubajyoti Borah, president, Asam Sahitya Sabha while taking part in the foundation stone laying ceremony of a gate to be installed in the fond memory of late social worker, politician and physician Dr Kosheshwar Borah here on Saturday.
He further added that humans were bought and sold at Biswanath Ghat at that time as this system was prevalent in other parts of the world too. Recalling Dr Kosheshwar Borah�s contributions to the society, Dr Borah said that he would remain an inspiration to the younger generations in the days to come. The programme was presided over by Phatik Hazarika while Aruna Borah, Debajit Borah, Ruli Sharma, Hiranya Hazarika, Thuleswar Nath etc., also spoke a few words on the occasion.
Preservation of historical monuments urged: The Biswanath Chariali Senior Citizens� Forum has urged the Government to take necessary steps for the preservation of the historical monuments of Biswanath seen here and there in the greater area.
The forum had formed a committee in this respect which submitted its report in the monthly meet of the forum with Tilak Sharma in the chair recently. According to the report, Pratapgarh and Pakhigarh, two earthen walls, are found to the east of Biswanath Chariali town. Pratapgarh was built by King Pratap Narayan which is in deplorable condition nowadays. The forum suggests plantation upon it for its preservation. They also urged to preserve the Shyam Narayan Pukhuri, the source of the historical Golia river which is being occupied at several places by encroachers, the Bareparia pukhuri, Dhenukhanda pukhuri, Ranga pukhuri, Dighali pukhuri etc. It may be mentioned here that there are at least 66 historical ponds in and around the Biswanath Chariali town. Significantly, the Dighali pukhuri resembles the ancient Greek ampitheatres.
On the other hand, a good number of items belonging to the 8th century were excavated inside the premises of Vishnu Mandir, Bamgaon a few years back. These are also in a sorry state, the forum said in its report. The meet was addressed by Bijay Goswami, Dr Nityananda Gogoi, Prabhat Gogoi, Indra Prasad Saikia, among others.
