Sarai-Ghat War Memorial
Guwahati
Overview
Sarai Ghat Memorial, Guwahati, is dedicated to the epic battle of Sarai Ghat fought between Mughals and Ahom in the year 1671 A.D. under the command of the great Ahom Senapati, Lachit Borphukan. Looking at the might army and modern weapons of Mughals with cannons, Ahoms decided to use their strength of rowing on the turbulent waters of Brahmaputra River and took the fight on water. The memorial was to depict their valor and victory. The memorial has been constructed to celebrate this act of bravery associated with the Battle and that of Indian soldiers during various wars.
Concept
The site is positioned on the banks of Dighali Pukhuri, an old lake which lies at the center of Guwahati city. It has natural terrain and is surrounded by important landmarks like a high court, museums, and library. It was challenging to make it stand out from the vast panorama, with a dense tree grove in the background and a huge lake in the foreground. Levels and trees filled the land and the biodiversity of the lake was quite sensitive. It required careful intervention and a construction technique that does not harm the aquatic ecology.
While drawing the concept, existing trees and use of terrain difference was taken into account. The Focus was on creating an experience for the visitors reflecting the spirit of Ahoms, using space, pathfinding and interconnection with water.
Design
Designed in three sections, the upper deck aligned to the road level allowing extensive elevated views of the lake. Existing trees and war machine display populate the entire area creating an ambiance of its own. Through the side ramps and stairs, visitors are led down to the lower level. Here they are adjacent to the water, and while making their way towards the next section, they pass through an area with walls depicting stories of the History of Indian warfare.
The Central section is completely dedicated to Ahoms. Projecting in the water, a large plaza with Ahom warfare boat and a warrior’s statue in the center, walls with relief devoting the scene of war, and water on three sides completely fill the space with splendor. The space is completely undisturbed from other sections through level difference and angle changes in a manner that statues against the dense tree foliage in the background and the water in the foreground, stands out of the panorama and is enhanced using bright lights.
The entire construction was done without blocking lake water or concrete touching water. Dry natural materials were used to create the under plaza’s base and rainwater is channeled through filtration media before it enters the lake. All the trees were preserved during the design. The place has a scenic view of the Sarai Ghat bridge and the Brahmaputra River. With the Sarai Ghat Park and Sarai Ghat Bridge, the tourists can now get a glimpse of history even before entering the city.
Key features
Design focus was on to create an experience for the visitor reflecting the spirit of Ahoms, using space, pathfinding, and connection with the water.
With a higher level at the entry point going down to the lake at the lower level and converging at the memorial at the center, the design gives a unique experience to the visiting community
Side ramps and stairs lead visitors transversely up and down the levels; the water view adjacent to these ramps and the inner walls depicting the history of Indian warfare rounds up for the end to end amusement for the visitors.
Interesting elements of the design include the use of dry natural materials to create under plaza base; and the filtration process that enables the clean and purified rainwater to embrace the lake.
Makes Impossible outcomes possible.