Serpent commemorative pillar Ahom king Swargadeu Suhungmmong (1498-1539 AD); Stone Measurement – 2mt X 30 cms Collection of the Assam State Museum, Guwahati In Indian art, the mythological serpent race that took form as cobra often be found in Hindu iconography, they are described as the powerful, splendid, wonderful and proud semi divine race that can assume their physical form either as human, partial human – serpent or the whole serpent. This serpent pillar is a bravura structure. The pillar has a square base and a hexagonal shaft tapering towards the top. A snake body entwined around the shaft and canopying at the top in bold relief like in Sanskrit Kundalini means coiled serpent. The pillar bears an inscription in Tai script or Ahom Script. It records a declaration made during the region of Ahom king Swargadeu Suhungmmong (1498 - 1539 AD). The summary of the declaration states that the Misamis, an ethnic group comprising mainly three tribes Idu Mishmi Digaru tribe and Miju Mishmi, as describes they are to dwell on the hills near the Digbon river with their families, children, attendants and followers. They will give four baskets full of poison and other things as a tribute to the Ahoms in return. Further, it records that whoever later became the ruler shall no break the agreement and the engraved pillar. #to_preserve_promote_engage_exhibit_disseminate_knowledge_about_the_heritage_of_assam MyGov Assam CMO Assam BIMAL BORAH @Directorate of Information and Public relations, Assam
Credit : Assam State museum originally posted on Archaeology in India Facebook group
Assam State Museum