TEZPUR, Aug 3 � Archaeological remains relating to the Gupta era which have survived for centuries are now facing a threat due to lack of care in the historic Da-Parbatia, about 3 km from the heart of the town.
The historic Tezpur town stands on large mounds and ruins of ancient temples and buildings. The decorated blocks of stones were dedicated to various gods like Surya and Lord Siva ascribed to the period ranging from the 10th and 12th century AD.
The temple remains of Da-Parbatia, the earliest specimen of architectural and stone carving in Assam, were solely dedicated to Siva and Parbati.
It�s door-frame is the oldest specimens of sculptural and iconoclastic art in Assam and the stone carving is characteristic of the early Gupta school of architecture.
The two goddesses, Ganga and Jamuna stand with garlands in the hands in an elegant pose. The artist�s sense of proportion, the beautiful symmetry of figures and ornamental device and the excellence of execution all prove that the door lintel belongs to the same period as the great schools of sculpture at Pataliputra and Banaras in the 5th and 6th century AD.
While giving a detailed accounts of the sculptural remains of Da-Parbatia, noted archaeologist Rakhal Das Banerjee stated that the moulding of the torso and the general techniques prove that these plaques cannot be later in date than the 6th century AD.
However, it is a matter of serious concern that these sixteen-century architectural and stone carving of Da-Parbatia are, despite attracting tourists, in a neglected state.
Most of the people here, including many leading citizens, while interacting with this reporter, alleged that the campus where the temple remains of Da-Parbatia, are preserved, covering an area of about more than three bighas is in a sorry state because of the lack of proper maintenance by the authority concerned.
Though, it is said that in and around Da-Parbatia area, many sculptural remains are yet to be recovered, the Anthropology and Archaeology department is still not aware of it and if scientific and systematic mining is conducted in the area, a glorious past will be found out which will help in completing the Assam history, reflecting the civilization of Assam to the rest of the country, the citizens of the area said.
