Guwahati: A land record dating back to 1904-05 belonging to the Kamakhya Devalaya was presented to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on August 19 during the inauguration of the Integrated District Commissioner’s Office in Guwahati.
The century-old document is the Jamabandi of La-Kheraj Patta No. 1, covering Kamakhya Pahar revenue village under Ramsa Rani mauza in the erstwhile undivided Kamrup district. It had been preserved in the Mahafeshkhana, or record room, of the Kamrup Metropolitan district administration.
According to the record, the land covered by the patta belonged to the Kamakhya Devalaya, represented by Bishnu Kanta Sarma Doloi and Abhaya Kanta Sarma Doloi.
The entries in the document were handwritten with a quill pen, providing an insight into the land-record practices of the period.
The archival record holds historical importance as it reflects early land administration in the Nilachal Hills after the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation, 1886 came into force. It has also been described as one of the oldest surviving Devottar Grant Jamabandi records.
Kamrup Metropolitan District Commissioner Swapneel Paul presented the document to Sarma during the inauguration of the new district commissioner’s office at Rupnagar.
Sarma later described it as a “priceless old land document” associated with the Kamakhya Devalaya. He said the Kamakhya temple represents not only Assam’s spiritual identity but also its history, heritage and faith.
Sarma said preserving such archival treasures was a responsibility and stressed the need to protect them for future generations.