The Ramghat–Tarasso fortifications (also known as the Buroi fortifications) are the remains of a fortified settlement at Ramghat in the Tarasso circle of Papum Pare district, Arunachal Pradesh, India. The complex is situated in the foothills along the Buroi River, close to the Assam–Arunachal frontier. Surveys describe extensive earthen ramparts, stone defensive walls, gateways, brickwork, brick plinths and pillars of stilt houses. Scholars have associated the fortifications with the Chutia kingdom. Historian Nityananda Gogoi specifically used the archaeological remains of Ramghat-Tarasso, referred to by him as Buroi, in reconstructing the western and northern extent of the Chutia kingdom. Gogoi noted similar marks on stones at the archaeological remains of Sadiya, at the Buroi site and at Naxapahar, which he located near the confluence of the Bargang and Dikal rivers. On this basis, together with the Chutia inscriptions of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, he argued that the kingdom at times included parts of present-day Arunachal Pradesh and extended through the adjoining Brahmaputra valley towards Biswanath. The fortified settlement can be tentatively associated with the line of hill forts attributed to the Chutia king Gauri Narayan. According to the Chutia chronicles, Gauri Narayan, after consolidating his kingdom, “built a line of forts along the foot of the hills”, along with large tanks and temples.
Location The fortifications are located in the Buroi River valley, in the foothills north of the Brahmaputra plains. Edwards and Mann placed the site at approximately 26°57′N, 93°24′E, immediately beyond the former boundary of British territory in what they called the independent Dafla country. The term Dafla was used in colonial records for communities now generally identified with the Nyishi people.
The Buroi River drains part of the lower Himalayan foothills before entering the Brahmaputra east of Behali Mukh. In the early twentieth century, the upper river was approached from Gomiri Ghat by a path along the hill base through the Singli Tea Estate; the same area could also be approached seasonally by elephant along the riverbank and, with difficulty, on horseback. The 2022 excavation described the Ramghat remains as occupying more than 20 acres of jungle in Tarasso circle, Papum Pare district.
History Scholars have associated the Buroi fortifications with the Chutia kingdom. Referring to the similar deeply cut marks observed on sandstone blocks at Buroi and on stones recorded by Hannay at Sadiya, scholars have argued that the Buroi and Sadiya ruins could be assigned to the same period and rulers. The Chutia attribution is therefore based on a combination of historical interpretation, shared masonry features, similar mason's marks and the site's position within the north-bank foothill zone. No inscription identifying the builders of the Buroi–Ramghat fortifications has yet been reported.
Affinities with other Chutia-associated sites Although no inscription from the Buroi–Ramghat complex identifies its builders, its masonry, marked stones, habitation remains and composite stone-and-brick construction have been compared with archaeological sites traditionally associated with the Chutia kingdom in the Assam–Arunachal foothill zone. These comparisons do not by themselves establish a direct dynastic attribution, but they provide material grounds for considering the site within the same broader constructional tradition.
A large number of dressed sandstone blocks in the principal Buroi wall bear deeply incised symbols on their outer faces. Edwards and Mann interpreted these signs as builders' or masons' marks and noted that several resembled marks recorded by Captain S. F. Hannay on worked stones from the fortifications near Sadiya. K. L. Barua subsequently relied on this reported correspondence in arguing that the Buroi and Sadiya fortifications belonged to the same historical period and constructional tradition. Comparable masons' marks have also been recorded from other Chutia-associated sites, including Tamreswari Temple (on the encloser wall built in 1442 AD), Malinithan, Naksaparvat, and other sites from the Sadiya archaeological landscape like a brick-stone tank and Buraburi than. At Naksaparvat, more than forty engraved symbols were identified on dressed stones, structural members and stone posts; several were compared with marks from Malinithan and other sites of the Assam–Arunachal foothills. The 2022 Ramghat excavation similarly reported symbols and designs incised on stone blocks, including forms resembling a combined bow-and-arrow and trident. Historian Nityananda Gogoi specifically used the archaeological remains of Ramghat Tarasso—referred to by him as Buroi—in reconstructing the western and northern extent of the Chutia kingdom. Gogoi noted similar marks on stones at the archaeological remains of Sadiya, at the Buroi site and at Naxapahar, which he located near the confluence of the Bargang and Dikal rivers. On this basis, together with the Chutia inscriptions of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, he argued that the kingdom at times included parts of present-day Arunachal Pradesh and extended through the adjoining Brahmaputra valley towards Biswanath.
The 2022 archaeological investigation at Ramghat reported stone posts or pillars associated with habitation remains within the fortified area. Although the original superstructures at Buroi–Ramghat have not been fully recovered, these supports may be compared with the stone posts found at Naksaparvat, where they have been interpreted as supports for raised or stilted residential structures. Brick house plinths recorded at Ramghat can be compared with the brick and stone plinths of Chutia-associated foothill settlements such as Bhismaknagar, Rukmininagar Fort, Naksaparvat and Gomsi. Another similar brick plinth has also been discovered a few miles to the east of Ramghat at the Upper Balijan area.
The Buroi fortifications employed a composite construction technique. The 2022 excavation recorded a rampart constructed from stone blocks and burnt bricks, with the interiors filled with earth and stone boulders. Gateways made from bricks, rectangular stone blocks, and stone slabs were also recorded. The survey revealed bricks scattered all around the top of the rampart, with the highest concentration near the gateway. The 1904 report described wall A as a defensive barrier faced with carefully dressed sandstone blocks, filled internally with river stones and strengthened at certain points with flat, tile-like bricks placed on the inner side of the wall. This layered use of dressed stone with bricks on top and a rubble- or earth-filled core resembles the wider stone-and-brick construction tradition seen at several Chutia-associated sites like Rukmininagar Fort, Ita Fort, as well as the Tamreswari Temple. The earthen ramparts of Bhismaknagar are also faced with brick layers, although stones haven't been used in them. At Naksaparvat, archaeological excavation revealed brick and stone plinths with boulders used between the brick or stone layers, along with earthen and stone ramparts.
Taken together, these suggest that the Ramghat-Taraso site formed part of the same broader cultural and architectural tradition that flourished in the eastern Himalayan foothills during the late medieval period.
Architecture Fortifications
The Buroi complex combined earthen, brick and stone defensive works. Edwards and Mann documented major walls of faced sandstone blocks. At several places, the wall has been built up on the inside with a flat tile-like brick, and there is a gateway in the face of the wall, where bricks also occurred. The fortifications occupied a strategically favourable foothill position. The Buroi River formed a natural barrier on one side, while steep hills and cliffs reduced the need for artificial defence in other directions. Wall A faced the plains, and Wall B overlooked the river from a bluff at the foot of the hills. The 2022 excavation likewise identified a fortified enclosure built from mixed stone and brick materials. The recovered rampart, gate and habitation remains indicate that the complex was more than an isolated wall and formed part of a larger settlement landscape.
Stone masonry
Wall A was built from dressed sandstone blocks, generally ranging from 12 to 14 inches in length and from 8 to 10 inches in breadth and depth. Smaller pieces, some about four inches square, were also used. Edwards and Mann noted that all blocks, irrespective of size, had been dressed. The sandstone facing was fitted with precision, while the interior of the wall was filled with loose river stones. The stone construction was reinforced in places by brickwork on the inside face. Edwards and Mann described the bricks as flat and tile-like. The 2022 fieldwork recorded stone piles or pillars associated with ancient habitation at Ramghat. The report did not provide a complete plan of these structures, but stated that some exposed stone-pile remains were conserved during archaeological debris clearance. Archaeological exploration in and around Vyas Kund was also conducted, and remains of a stone staircase were discovered. A broken Shiva linga, pottery and a sealing ball were also found at the site. These finds indicate ritual activity and settlement occupation.
Brickworks
Brickwork occurred at two locations along Wall A and near a gateway through the wall. Edwards and Mann considered the Buroi bricks locally manufactured because they had a sandy texture, were softer than many plains-made bricks and appeared to have been made from nearby material. The 2022 excavation documented another gateway made of stone blocks, burnt bricks and stone slabs. It's reported 2.83 metre-wide internal passage indicates a substantial entrance into the fortified area. Besides these, brick plinths were also found in the Ramghat area. The research team also conducted archaeological exploration and excavation at Balijan Circle and unearthed the brick structural remains at the Upper Balijan area. The footpath made of bricks connects the structures and runs from east to west and then towards the north.
Mason's marks A large number of sandstone blocks in Wall A bore deeply cut symbols on their outer faces. Edwards and Mann interpreted them as builders' or masons' marks. They observed that one mark represented in their diagram was particularly common, although the illustration was intended as a schematic selection rather than a reproduction of an actual group of stones. The 2022 Ramghat investigation also reported symbols and designs incised on stone blocks. These included forms resembling a combined bow-and-arrow and trident.
Nearby features