Namsang, Arunachal Pradesh – A groundbreaking historical breakthrough has emerged from Namsang village in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap district, where ancient inscriptions in Tai Ahom script on earthen pots have been successfully deciphered. The word “Mohong,” translating to “salt” in the Ahom language, confirms the Nocte tribe’s longstanding role in salt production, storage, and trade—shedding new light on centuries-old economic and cultural exchanges between the Noctes and the Ahom kingdom.
The discovery, made during a focused field study, highlights the region’s rich heritage and underscores the superior quality of Nocte salt, a prized commodity that once sparked conflicts but ultimately fostered peace through trade and cultural integration.
Field Study Leads to Major Decipherment
Arunachal Pradesh Minister for Environment & Forest, Geology, Mining and Minerals, and DoTCL, Wangki Lowang, collaborated with Padma Shri awardee Professor Jogendra Nath Phukan on an intensive tour. On the second day, the delegation examined five ancient earthen pots—known locally as Ngolo or Kolo—at Namsang village.
These artifacts, each nearly two feet tall and weighing 14-15 kilograms, were first documented in 2020 by Nocte Digest but remained undeciphered until now. Professor Phukan, assisted by Dhiraj Phukan and Dipak Phukan, identified the script as belonging to the Tai Ahom tradition. The key inscription decoded reads “Mohong,” directly linking the pots to salt-related uses, either for storage or as part of traditional production processes.
The team received a warm traditional welcome from local Nocte youths in full attire and paid respects at the historic Namghar in Namsang before heading to Subang village to inspect the sacred salt well, Moran Sum. Developed for tourism in 2019 under Minister Lowang’s initiative, the well stands as a living testament to the area’s salt heritage.
Historical Context: Salt as a Catalyst for Conflict and Peace
Nocte salt, renowned for its superior physico-chemical properties compared to other Northeast varieties, was widely traded with the Ahoms and neighboring tribes. Control over these valuable resources frequently led to disputes between the Noctes and Ahoms.
These tensions eased between 1696 and 1714 during the reign of Ahom king Rudra Singha. A pivotal figure in this reconciliation was Hote, also known as Latha Khunbao—the chief of Namsang, Borduria, and Laptang. He embraced Vaishnavism after initiation by Sri Ram Ata at the Merbil Bareghar Satra in present-day Sasoni village, Naharkatiya, Assam, and was renamed Narottam, signifying “the best among men.”
The deciphered inscription reinforces these narratives, illustrating how salt trade influenced not just economy but also cultural and religious transformations in the region.
Significance for Northeast India’s Heritage
This decipherment marks a vital advancement in understanding Tai Ahom-Nocte interactions, bridging gaps in archaeological and historical records of Arunachal Pradesh. It elevates the Nocte salt legacy from folklore to documented evidence, potentially boosting heritage tourism around sites like Moran Sum and Namsang.
Experts view the finding as a call to preserve and further study such artifacts, enriching the cultural tapestry of the eastern Himalayas where indigenous knowledge meets ancient scripts.
As efforts to document and promote Tirap’s historical legacy continue, this revelation celebrates the enduring legacy of salt as a connector of communities in Northeast India.
Relevant Tags
Tai Ahom Script, Namsang Arunachal, Nocte Tribe Salt Legacy, Ancient Earthen Pots, Arunachal Heritage Discovery, Professor Jogendra Nath Phukan, Wangki Lowang Tour, Nocte-Ahom Relations, Moran Sum Salt Well, Northeast Historical Artifacts
Hashtags
#TaiAhomScript #NocteSaltLegacy #NamsangDiscovery #ArunachalPradesh #AncientInscriptions #NocteHeritage #AhomNocteHistory #SaltTradeNortheast #ArunachalArchaeology #CulturalLegacy
