Gomsi

Gomsi is an ancient archaeological site located between Rani Village and Sika Tode[1] in East Siang District, Arunachal Pradesh, India. It is associated with the 13th-century Chutiya Kingdom, which was located at the field of Rani Village, about 15 km from the town of Pasighat.

Smaller house foundation at Gomsi.

Gomsi
LocationRani Village, East Siang District, Arunachal Pradesh, India
Region India
Coordinates28.07°N 95.33°E / 28.07; 95.33
TypeSettlement
History
Builderexpected as Chutiya King
FoundedEarly Medieval Period, 13th century
Site notes
ConditionRuined
OwnershipPublic
ManagementArchaeological Survey of India
Public accessYes
It is now undertaken by the Govt. of India

It might have acted as a checkpoint of the Chutia kingdom to keep peace in the region as well to control the trade exchanges at that period. There is also an ancient man-made pond(pukhuri) built as a part of the settlement.[2]

Excavation at Gomsi

Report of 1995-96

The Directorate of Research, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, conducted trial-excavation at the main mound and at extreme northwestern corner of the site which comprised 5 acres of land. The site is located at 15 km in the southwestern direction from the district headquarter, Pasighat and 19 km inside from Murkong Salak, nearest Railwayhead in Assam-Arunachal border.

This is the ruins of an ancient settlement in Gomsi

A portion of brick-wall was exposed out of a house structure. Excavation of almost rectangular mound (21x17 m), revealed ten brick courses to the northwestern corner of the wall showing both the base and the floor levels. Above the floor level, a superstructure was raised by using some perishable material.

This is part of a ruined ancient settlement at Gomsi

In all, there were thirteen different sizes and shapes of bricks, used for construction. The excavation also revealed different types of pottery along with a few pieces of stone urn. Black painted pottery, with criss-cross design and a piece of flower vase were recovered from thedigging in addition to an iron spear-head, besides one spear-head made of iron from 15 cm below surface level.

From the preliminary study of the findings, the site could be assignable to the Chutia period(pre-Ahom period).

Report of 1996-97
An ancient made made pond in Gomsi

The site is spread in an area of 11.5 acres of land. Excavation revealed that the site represents a large brick mound with L-shaped large earthen mound measuring (23 m x 23 m x 24 m) about 3 m south of it and a rectangular pond measuring 38 m x 28 m about 60 m south of the mound. These are surrounded by nala measuring 3.5 m wide from all corners and both ends meeting in the pond. The nala served a dual purpose of a moat and a source of water supply.

This is the ruins of an ancient brick house in Gomsi

A number of small earthen mounds measuring about 14 m x 10 m are also situated in the vicinity at regular intervals.

References
  1. Apang, Kalom (1 June 2010). "We should take a lesson from Siang flood-2000". The Arunachal Times. Retrieved 24 November 2014.

Geographical location
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