Kareng Ghar

Assam, India

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Kareng Ghar, also known as Garhgaon Palace, located in Assam near Sivasagar, is a grand example of Ahom architecture and served as the central administrative building of the Gargaon capital.

Originally built of wood during the reign of Swargadeo Pramatta Singha in the mid-18th century, it was rebuilt in 1752 by Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha as a seven-storied palace made of bricks and boulders. The palace complex features gradually receding tiers with a dome-like roof on the top floor and originally had four watchtowers, of which two remain.

It was well-secured through canals dug around the structure and fort-like walls built on the canal banks. The palace had significant military and residential functions, with rumored secret underground tunnels linking it to other nearby fortifications. Reflecting Indo-Islamic influences blended with local styles, Kareng Ghar stands as a testament to the architectural ingenuity and cultural heritage of the Ahom dynasty, which ruled Assam for nearly 600 years until British colonization.