Introduction
The North Eastern states of India, often celebrated for their breathtaking landscapes, indigenous cultures, and festivals, also preserve a rich royal legacy through their palaces. Many of these palaces were built by the Ahom kings, Manipur maharajas, Tripura’s royal family, and local rulers of smaller kingdoms, often blending indigenous traditions with Mughal, Indo-Saracenic, and colonial styles.
Unlike the grand desert palaces of Rajasthan, the palaces here are more intimate, reflecting the cultural ethos and architectural preferences of the region. Today, several serve as museums, cultural centers, and government buildings, offering travelers a unique glimpse into the royal past of the North East.
List of Palaces in the North Eastern States of India
Assam
- Kareng Ghar (Gargaon Palace, Sivasagar) – Built by the Ahom kings; a multi-storied palace once serving as the capital’s royal residence.
- Talatal Ghar (Sivasagar) – Part of the Ahom palace complex with underground tunnels and military architecture.
- Rang Ghar (Sivasagar) – Though technically a royal pavilion rather than a palace, it is often called the “Colosseum of the East,” used for cultural and sporting events of the Ahom royalty.
Manipur
- Kangla Palace (Imphal) – Historic seat of Manipur’s Meitei rulers; includes ancient temples, sacred structures, and remnants of royal buildings within the Kangla Fort complex.
- Sana Konung (Royal Palace, Imphal) – Traditional palace of the Manipur kings; though partly deteriorated, it remains the symbolic residence of the titular monarch.
Tripura
- Ujjayanta Palace (Agartala) – Built in 1901 by Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya; Indo-Saracenic architecture with Mughal gardens; now houses the Tripura State Museum.
- Neermahal (Rudrasagar Lake, Tripura) – The only water palace in Eastern India, built by Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya in 1930; a blend of Hindu and Mughal styles.
- Kunjaban Palace (Agartala) – Constructed by Maharaja Birendra Kishore Manikya; currently the official residence of the Governor of Tripura.
Meghalaya
- Nartiang Durbar Palace (West Jaintia Hills) – Remnants of the palace of the Jaintia kings, now mostly in ruins but historically significant.
- Shillong Rajbari (Iewduh area) – The residence of the Khasi tribal chiefs and Syiems of Mylliem.
Arunachal Pradesh
- Ita Fort (Itanagar) – More a fort than a palace, but it once housed the royal administrative complex of the Itanagar rulers.
- Ziro Palace Grounds (Apatanis region, traces) – Traditional wooden palace remnants of local chieftains.
Nagaland
- Dimasa Kachari Palace Ruins (Dimapur) – Brick ruins of the Dimasa Kachari kingdom’s palace, with monoliths and temple remains.
Mizoram
- Aizawl Chief’s Palace (old site) – Residences of Mizo chiefs, though simpler than grand palaces, still serve as markers of indigenous leadership.
Sikkim
- Tsuklakhang Royal Palace (Gangtok) – Built in the early 20th century, it was the royal chapel and palace of the Chogyals (Kings of Sikkim); today a monastery and cultural center.
- Namgyal Institute Grounds & Palace (Gangtok) – Part of the royal family’s estate, preserving relics of the monarchy.
Closing Note
The palaces of the North East may not rival the vast complexes of Rajasthan or Central India, but they are rich in cultural symbolism, spiritual undertones, and regional architectural beauty. From the floating Neermahal of Tripura to the Ahom palaces of Assam’s Sivasagar, they provide travelers with a royal dimension to the North East’s diverse heritage.