Kachari Ruins

Location: Super Market Ln, High School Colony, Half Nagarjan, Dimapur, Nagaland 797112, India.

Visiting time: 1-2 hours.

In northeast India, The Kachari Ruins are a set of ruins situated in Dimapur, Nagaland. It is also known as Dimasa Kachari Ruins. The ruins were created by the Dimasa Kachari Kingdoms that ruled before the Ahom invasion during the 13th century and are a series of mushroom domed pillars. Their origin and objective are largely hidden. The pillars are not well nursed as some of the pillars have crumbled down but others still stand in all their glory. It is a kind of belief here, that a game similar to chess was played with the mushroom domes.

Attraction

The place itself is an exoteric attraction besides you can take a stroll along with it and accrue information about its archaeological importance. There is a market adjacent to recollecting the local cultures and customs. As weird as worms squirming in large bags and sold as protein packs, the local Nagas would surprise you with strange goods. However, like the Nagaland Science Centre, Hong Kong market, Triple Falls, Zoological park, Rangapahar reserve forest, Shiva temple, Naga Shopping Arcade, Diezephe village, and many more adjacent places, you will also find various other places to visit close to Kachari Ruins. Although it has lost its original accuracy with time, it still reflects the indigenous Aryan elements. Those lotus and flowers are the commonest motifs; but animal designs like deer, elephant, or cow are also there. One of the most noteworthy motifs is a man raising his arms to the sky as if in celebration wearing a headdress. Tasseled motifs appearing at the repetitive folds are also seen here. These ruins are definitely visit-worthy and would dazzle any art and history lover.

History

Detail on the brick wall of an ancient structure at the archaeological site of the Kachari ruins in Dimapur.

In 1840, the then Assistant Political Agent to the colonial government in Assam, Lieutenant Grange undertook his first expedition to the Naga Hills. In the Journal of Asiatic Society, an essence from his journal was published. He explained that they consisted of ‘some pillars of a various pattern, a gateway, the ruined tower, or palace walls, and a small fort to the north, besides tanks both within and without the walls, In his description of the Dhemapore Nugget.

Inside/Outside Views

The domed stone pillars at the ancient Kachari ruins at the archaeological site in Dimapur in Nagaland.

The fort was surrounded By a dry ditch on three sides, in the year 1840. Though the inner passage or guardroom had turned into a heap of ruins, the gateway, Grange described, to be in a ‘tolerable state of preservation. In 1874, the Topographical Survey of India, It is described by Major H. H. Godwin-Austen, the access gateway as a ‘fine solid mass of masonry. the stone which is penetrated to receive the hinges of the double heavy door, are still in perfect preservation.’ By octagonal turrets on both sides of bricks with ‘false windows of ornamental molded brickwork, he sketches it to be flanked. The pillars were there aligned in three parallel rows. Running parallel to the Dhansiri river, the form of the town, or palace enclosure, was an oblong square. Grange, through oral tradition, notes that it was built by Chokradoz who was the fourth king of Cachar. According to Godwin-Austen, these pillars were the most distinguishing feature of the ruins. Rather than three, he counted them as two rows as Grange noted. The tallest one was about 15 feet, and the smallest pillar at the southern end was 8 feet and 5 inches. In all of the carved work, the lotus was evident.

Opening Hours

Saturday 9 AM–4 PM

Sunday 9 AM–4 PM

Monday 9 AM–4 PM

Tuesday 9 AM–4 PM

Wednesday 9 AM–4 PM

Thursday 9 AM–4 PM

Friday 9 AM–4 PM

Entry & Others Fees

There is no entry or access fee to the Kachari Ruins.

Near Restaurants

Near Hotels

How to Reach

By Air: The nearest airport is Dimapur Airport which is well-connected with major cities in India and can be easily reached. One can hire taxis from outside the airport and reach the desired destination of Kachari Ruins. From Dimapur Airport to Kachari Ruins is at a distance of approximately 6.4 km and it will need around 15 mins to reach.

By Rail: The nearest railway station is also the Dimapur railway station and from there, several taxis are available to reach the attraction, the Kachari ruins. Kachari Ruins is at a distance of 3 km from the railway station and you’ll need approximately 13 minutes to reach there.

By Road: From nearby towns and cities, it’s also easy to get state buses. On the other side of the railway track, Kachari Ruins lie and after getting down at the bus stand, you are supposed to cross a market where these ruins are located opposite Circuit House. From the city center in Dimapur, you can also hire auto-rickshaws and rental taxis to reach the Kachari ruins.

Tips for Travellers

Do not damage or don’t make any harm to the structures you’re visiting as they are already damaged and have faced many losses. Dimapur sees a heavy downpours that can cause landslides so you must avoid visiting here during the monsoon.