{{Short description|Bridge in Assam, India}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}} {{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}} {{Infobox bridge |bridge_name = Namdang Stone Bridge |image = Namdang Sila Saku bridge.jpg |image_size = 200px |alt = |caption = |official_name = |other_name = |carries = |crosses = Namdang River |locale = Sibsagar, Assam |maint = Govt of Assam |id = |designer = |design = Arch bridge |material = Stone |pierswater = |length = 60 m |width = 6.5 m |height = |mainspan = |spans = |load = |clearance = |below = |traffic = |builder = |begin = |complete = 1703 |open = |life = |preceded = |followed = |heritage = |collapsed = |closed = |toll = |coordinates = {{coord|26.9503891|N|94.5451547|E|display=inline,title|format=dms}} |extra = }}
The '''Namdang Stone Bridge''' is a historic bridge located a few kilometers away from Sibsagar town in Assam, India. It was constructed in 1703 by craftmen brought from Bengal during the reign of Ahom king Rudra Singha. The bridge is {{convert|60|m|ft|abbr=on}} long, {{convert|6.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} wide and {{convert|1.7|m|ft|abbr=on}} high. It runs over the Namdang (Tai-Ahom : Nam= Water; Dang=Red) river, a tributary of the Dikhou river. The present National Highway 37 is passing over it. The unique characteristic of the bridge is that it was cut out from a single solid piece of rock hundred years of age. The bridge is a little curved in shape. The bridge connects Sibsagar town to Jorhat and other districts in the west.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sajnani|first=Manohar |title=Encyclopaedia of tourism resources in India|volume=1|pages=20|chapter=Management Resources|year=2001 |isbn=9788178350172 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vdMNBxOsvrUC&dq=namdang+stone+bridge&pg=PA20}}</ref>
== History == King Pratap Singha built a town on its bank and much later Rudra Singha constructed a masonry bridge over it. According to Peter Wade, the Namdang bridge was regarded as the western gate of the military capital of Rangpur, and was capable of being rendered a post of great strength, as the Moamoria rebels experienced. Many battles were fought in the vicinity during the reign of Gaurinath Singha and the Moamaria rebels. In 1825 a decisive battle took place between the British East India Company and Burmese in the bank of the Namdang river.<ref name="TOI">{{Cite news |date=2025-01-03 |title=Namdang Stone Bridge set for makeover, to get heritage park & Sati Radhika statue |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/namdang-stone-bridge-set-for-makeover-to-get-heritage-park-sati-radhika-statue/articleshow/116916272.cms |access-date=2025-07-16 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> In 2019, local heritage groups petitioned the Assam Archaeological Department to initiate preservation efforts, underscoring the beidge's historic and architectural value.<ref name="local"/>
== Architecture == Constructed as a slightly curved stone arch bridge, it spans 60 m in length, 6-6.5 m in width and stands about 1.7 m high. Uniquely, much of the structure is carved from a single massive rock, with six culverts allowing water flow beneath. Instead of modern cement, builders employed an organic mortar blend a mix of rice paste, eggs, black lentils, molasses, and lime which has contributed to its surprising resilience against floods and seismic activity India.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-27 |title=Namdang Stone Bridge: A Remarkable Architectural Marvel of Assam - Ki Hikila {{!}} Knowledge in Assamese |url=https://www.kihikila.in/tourist-place/namdang-stone-bridge-a-remarkable-archi/ |access-date=2025-07-16 |website=www.kihikila.in |language=en-US}}</ref> Decorative sculptural panels carved into the arches further testify to the artistry of Ahom craftsmen.<ref name="local">{{Cite web |date=2019-11-20 |title=Veer Lachit Sena committee submits memorandum to preserve Namdang stone bridge |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/assam-news/veer-lachit-sena-committee-submits-memorandum-to-preserve-namdang-stone-bridge |access-date=2025-07-16 |website=The Sentinel - of this Land, for its People |language=en}}</ref> Government plans to build a heritage park design include traditional Assamese architectural elements and digital displays explaining its unique construction techniques.<ref name="TOI"/>
==See also== *List of bridges in India
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.igougo.com/journal-j20115-Assam-Sibsagar_-_Monuments_of_Unageing_Intellect.html#ReviewID:1181656 Namdang Xaku by Kharkhuwa]
{{commons category}} Category:Sivasagar Category:Bridges in Assam Category:Stone arch bridges Category:Ahom kingdom Category:Transport in Sibsagar