Ita Fort (Fort of Bricks)

The Fortress of Eight Million Bricks: Origins of Itanagar

Surrounded by the lush subtropical rainforests and misty rolling foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, **Ita Fort (ইতা দুর্গ / Fort of Bricks)** in the Papum Pare district of Arunachal Pradesh is one of the most remarkable and historically defining archaeological monuments in Northeast India. Situated on a hilltop in the heart of the modern state capital, Ita Fort holds the unique honor of **giving its name to Itanagar** (*Ita* meaning *Brick* in the ancient Assamese and Chutiya languages, and *Nagar* meaning *City*).

Archaeological surveys conducted by the Directorate of Research, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, establish that the fort was constructed between the **14th and 15th centuries CE by the Chutiya Kingdom (Sutiya Dynasty)**. According to regional historical chronicles (*Buranji* and folk traditions), the fortress was established during the reign of **King Ramachandra (also known as Mayamatta)** or his successors of the Jitari lineage to defend the northern mountain frontiers of the kingdom against Tibetan incursions from the north and rival kingdoms from the Brahmaputra valley.

The fortress was engineered with exceptional architectural skill, combining kiln-baked terracotta bricks with dressed sandstone blocks and mortar made of lime, crushed river sand, and sticky rice paste (*Karhal*), creating ramparts capable of withstanding the ferocious monsoon deluges of the Eastern Himalayas for over six centuries.

Architectural Mastery: The Eastern, Western & Southern Gates

The ramparts of Ita Fort follow an irregular, contour-aligned plan covering an area of over 45 acres. The defensive walls conform naturally to the rugged topography of the hill ridge, utilizing steep natural ravines as natural moats.

The Eastern and Western Brick Portals

The fort is entered through three monumental brick-and-stone gateways: the **Eastern Gate**, the **Western Gate**, and the **Southern Gate**. The Eastern Gate, overlooking the Dikrong river valley, was built primarily of heavy sandstone ashlars combined with brick masonry. The Western Gate preserves magnificent corbelled brick arches, stone hinge sockets for massive iron-reinforced wooden doors, and elevated guard chambers for sentries.

Subterranean Kilns & Building Materials

Excavations revealed ancient brick kilns near the base of the fort hill, where local clay from the riverbanks was molded by hand and fired in wood-fueled kilns. Archaeologists estimate that over **8,000,000 bricks** of distinct standardized dimensions (approx. 24 x 18 x 5 cm) were manufactured for the construction of the ramparts, representing a massive mobilization of medieval labor and logistical organization.

Archaeological Treasures: The State Museum & Chutiya Heritage

Systematic excavations at Ita Fort uncovered a wealth of medieval artifacts, including iron swords, daggers, matchlock cannon balls, terracotta decorative plaques, and pottery shards. Many of these historical treasures are now proudly displayed at the **Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum in Itanagar**, providing invaluable insights into the pre-colonial military history of Arunachal Pradesh.

Today, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the State Archaeology Department have landscaped the fort ruins with paved walking pathways, viewing gazebos, and flowering gardens, creating an educational heritage sanctuary amidst the capital city.

Military Logistics: The Chutiya Frontier Defense Network

Ita Fort formed part of an interconnected strategic defense line constructed by the Chutiya kings across the upper Brahmaputra basin, connecting strongholds such as **Rukmini Nagar, Bhismaknagar, and Tezu**. Sentry teams used horn signals and hill-top smoke beacons to warn the valley garrisons of advancing enemy forces.

Ecology & Rainforest Canopy of Papum Pare

Ita Fort is enveloped by pristine tropical semi-evergreen and moist-deciduous rainforests. The dense forest canopy features towering hollong (*Dipterocarpus macrocarpus*), nahor, and wild bamboo brakes that shelter Himalayan avifauna including the great pied hornbill, Asian emerald cuckoo, and colorful hill mynas.

Cultural Synthesis: The Nyishi Community & Fort Heritage

The hills surrounding Itanagar are the ancestral homeland of the **Nyishi tribal community**. Over centuries, Nyishi oral folklore incorporated legends of the ancient brick fortress (*Ita*), preserving sacred reverence for the ruined citadel and its ancient stone gates.

Practical Visitor Guide: Planning Your Visit to Ita Fort

How to Reach Ita Fort

Ita Fort is located centrally within Itanagar town, easily reachable by local taxi or auto-rickshaw from any hotel in the capital. **Donyi Polo Airport (Hollongi)** is just 26 km away, and **Naharlagun Railway Station** is 14 km away. Well-maintained paved footpaths lead from the main road directly to the Western and Southern Gate ruins.

Medieval Metallurgy: Weaponry & Cannon Foundries of Ita Fort

Excavations at Ita Fort revealed that the Chutiya garrison utilized advanced iron metallurgy. Archaeologists uncovered iron cannonballs, forged spearheads, broad-bladed swords (*Dao*), and heavy iron hinges, proving that regional artisans operated active forging hearths to equip the frontier army.

Ethnobotanical Heritage: Medicinal Flora of the Fort Ridges

The dense subtropical rainforest enveloping Ita Fort is an ancient repository of medicinal plants used in traditional northeastern healing. Local herbalists collected species such as *Coptis teeta* (Mishmi tita), wild ginger, turmeric, and agarwood from the protected forest slopes surrounding the brick ramparts.

Riverine Geopolitics: The Dikrong Basin & Brahmaputra Trade

Ita Fort's location on the high ridge above the **Dikrong River** allowed Chutiya commanders to monitor river traffic carrying salt, musk, dried fish, and woven muga silk between the Himalayan foothills and the downstream ports of the Brahmaputra River.

Architectural Masonry: Sandstone Corbels & Rice-Paste Mortar

The monumental portals of Ita Fort represent a rare fusion of dressed stone and terracotta brick architecture. Master builders used finely chiselled **sandstone ashlars** for the foundational door sills and lintels, binding them to the upper brick ramparts using a durable traditional mortar mixed with sticky rice paste, molasses, hemp fibers, and slaked river lime.

Hydraulic Engineering: Subterranean Ponds & Rainwater Tanks

To sustain the royal court and garrison during prolonged sieges, Chutiya engineers excavated deep stepped ponds into the hill plateau. Known locally as **Ita Pukhuri**, these reservoirs captured abundant Himalayan rainwater and were lined with terracotta brick paving to prevent seepage and maintain water clarity throughout the dry winter months.

Archaeological Revelations: ASI Excavations & Medieval Relics

Systematic excavations conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India between 1975 and 1980 unearthed brick bastions, decorative stone tiles carved with lotus motifs, and iron arrowheads. These excavations proved that Ita Fort was an extensive royal fortress complex that housed administrative courts, royal barracks, and royal shrines.

The Royal Citadel Courtyards & Assembly Grounds

Within the central fortified enclosure of Ita Fort lay spacious courtyards where the Chutiya governors held formal tribal councils (*Mels*). These open-air brick platforms hosted diplomatic exchanges and seasonal harvest festivals.

The Valley Watchtowers & Forest Sentry Posts

The western brick ramparts of Ita Fort feature elevated bastion platforms overlooking the Papum Pare valley. Sentry guards monitored the forest paths below, securing the capital against sudden mountain raids.

The Southern Ramparts & Rainforest Sentry Niches

The southern brick perimeter of Ita Fort features high defensive parapets overlooking the Papum Pare rainforest canopy. Sentry guards maintained continuous visual watch over the valley approaches to secure the royal capital against surprise attacks.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ita Fort

The 8 Million Kiln-Fired Bricks & Chutiya Kingdom Archaeology

Spanning an irregular zig-zag layout across the hillocks of Papum Pare, **Ita Fort** is an architectural marvel of the eastern Himalayas. Archaeologists estimate that over **8 million kiln-fired clay bricks** and 45,000 cubic metres of stone masonry were transported into the sub-Himalayan jungle to erect its 7.3-kilometre-long defensive curtain walls.

The Southern, Eastern, and Western Gateways were engineered using dressed sandstone lintels and heavy timber gates, designed by the medieval Chutiya monarchs to defend the foothills against invading Tibetan and plain raiders.

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