Assam Jewellery - Gold dust on Assam River banks

Assamese traditional jewellery is as popular now as it was in ancient Assam. Gold washing and manufacture of jewellery were two important ancient industries in Assam & gold dust was abundantly found in the sands of different rivers of the state, particularly the Subansiri.

During the rule of the Ahom Kings, gold washing an organized industry and the state earned handsome revenues. Gold enamelling was a specialized job done by the Mani kars and Jorhat and Barpeta were important centres.

Which is your favorite piece of Traditional Assamese jewellery?

Originally Posted by gunjanasaikia25

....gold dust was abundantly found in the sands of different rivers of the state, particularly the Subansiri.

'Gold dust on river banks'...that's interesting. Please tell us more about it. How's that possible?

Happy posting!

Sonia

Hi Sonia, it is indeed one of the amazing facts that 'gold dust was abundantly found in the sands of different rivers of Assam'

Gold washing and manufacture of Jewellery were two important ancient industries in Assam & it is true that gold dust was abundantly found in the sands of different rivers of the state. References to gold in Assam in the early period are found in the writings of the classical writers and the earliest reference is found in the ARTHASASTRA .

During the rule of the Ahom Kings, gold washing was done on an elaborate scale and the state derived considerable income from the yearly tax levied on Gold washing. Gold was locally available, flowing down several Himalayan rivers, of which Subansiri is the most important. In fact, a particular tribe of people, the Sonowal Kacharis were engaged only for gold-washing in these rivers.

Hi Mayuri, Thanks for this interesting piece of news. I'm really fascinated about this new fact I've read here ' Gold dust on river banks' and god washing. I've read in another thread about the unique Assamese jewellery. Looking forward to some information on this. I'm glad I joined IL, would have never got a chance to know so much about every corner of our country.


Sabina

Most welcome Sabina. You really need to see Assamese jewellery, which are so distinct and unique. And most importantly, the uniqueness is because they are not influenced by modernization and people here still prefer and take pride in wearing traditional jewelleries for weddings and festivals.

Gold jewelry has traditional designs, which are skillfully designed by jewelers of the state and cannot be made by others. The jewellers known as Sonari make exquisite Doog-Doogi, Bana, Jon-biri, Dhol-biri type lockets Thuriya, Loka-paro and Keru earrings Gaam-kharu bracelets and Gal-pata necklaces. Gold has always constituted the most-used metal for jewellery in Assam, while the use of silver and other metals too have been there for centuries.

Anyone here from Assam, who belong to Jorhat...its the hub of jewellery making.

Could anyone please post a pic of kopo phool and loka-paro ? Also are both of thsee always made with gold or is it available on silver with gold plating.