AHOM RAJA'S PALACE
Garhgaon
Sivasagar
GROUP OF FOUR MAIDAMS AT CHARAIDEO


Charaideo
Sivasagar
TALATALGHAR
Joysagar
Sivasagar
RANGHAR PAVILION
Joysagar
Sivasagar
VISHNUDOL
JOYSAGAR
Sivasagar

80. MENHIRS AND CAVES AT VANGCHHIA ,
DISTRICT:
Champai
LOCALITY:Vangchhia; (Lat 23° 12′ 06′′ N; Long. 93 20′ 50′′ E)
NOTIFICATION NO.: SO813(E) dated: 17.02.2014
APPROACH :Airport:Lengpi, Aizawl;
Railway Station :Silchar;Bus Station :Champai.

Vangchhia is a menhir site of Mizoram. There are amost 180 menhirs of different sizes in this place. The largest menhir is 1.5 m (width) × 30cm (thickness). These menhirs are fully carved and embossed with different forms. Rows of human figures, heads of mithun, deers, other animals, circles probably gongs, weapons and other designs are engraved in these menhirs. Among the human figures, the main one is holding spear and wearing a head dress, locally known as Chhawndawl and Areke-Ziak. These are supposed to be wear only by those persons who have killed enemies in the war. This figure is depicted along with animals, human beings, heads of mithun, deer which might have been killed by him, circles probably gongs, weapons probably used by him for killing these beasts and enemies etc. Sometimes, the said human figure is shown without head dress. As per local beliefs, legends and myths, these menhirs are raised as memorial stones wherein heroes have been depicted along with animals and human beings that have been killed during the life time of the hero.

Besides, there is a rock shelter upside of the menhir site overlooking the Myanmar border. It has five openings. It is heavily weathered and very unstable. It was probably used as watch tower or bunker. There are many holes found in the centre that might be used for aiming the enemies of the border region. It is completely devoid of any depiction inside or outside. There is a hillock near the menhir site marked with irregular post holes probably for erection of some superstructure on a rock. The potsherds bearing cord impressions or basket mark on the exterior surface have also been collected. They are handmade. The fabric ranges from medium to thick fabric and ore exhibits the rough texture due to presence of quartz-grits in the clay. A smoking pipe or chillum applied with red slip is also found from the site. There are some other structural remains in Vangchhia which might be related to the people who raised the menhirs as memorial stones. These are stone paved pathways leading to the Tiau River found in Lianpui, Vangchhia and Farkawn. These pathways locally known as Mirawng Lamlian/irawng kong. These pathways might have been used for fishing, hunting, agricultural activities and other subsistence activities along the river courses of Tiau river by the people of the bygone ages.


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