GUWAHATI, March 4 - Guwahati�s Latasil playground was developed by filling up a tank, which may sound incredible today. But, noted writer Kumudeswar Hazarika has claimed that at the site of the Latasil playground there was a tank and around the tank there was one of the three oldest markets of the then Gauhati, during the early days of the British rule.
Significantly, the sand to fill up the Latasil Pukhuri (tank), as it was known, was brought from the sand bars of the Brahmaputra and to carry the sand a rail line was laid so that the sand-laden trolley could be run on it. This step was taken under the leadership of the honourable late Manik Chandra Borooah. This speaks of the innovative approach of this historic figure of Assam, who also played a vital role in the establishment of the first college of the State � the Cotton College.
Hazarika said the market around the Latasil tank was known as the Chawk Bazar, which was the first market of Uzanbazar area. The other two markets of the then Gauhati were � Sadar Bazar, which is now known as the Phansi (Fancy) Bazar, and the Dalangghat Bazar near the Bharalu Bridge where the West Guwahati Puja Mandap is now located.
Gradually the size of the Chawk Bazar got expanded and the atmosphere around it was polluted. Moreover, the need of a playground for the youngsters of the Uzanbazar localities was also felt around 1898 AD.
At the initiative of the honourable late Manik Chandra Borooah, the Chawk Bazar was shifted to the present day Uzanbazar Municipal Market site between 1898 AD and 1900 AD. The Latasil Pukhuri was then filled up to develop the Latasil Playground.
Manik Chandra Borooah also donated a plot of land owned by him to expand the Uzanbazar Municipal Market, Hazarika said.
