Tirap’s long-forgotten salt heritage took centre stage during a three-day heritage tour (15–18 January) hosted by Hon’ble Minister Wangki Lowang ji and led by Padma Shri awardee and eminent historian Jogendra Nath Phukan.
On 17 January, the team examined rare inscribed earthen pots (Ngolo/Kolo) at Namsang village. One inscription was deciphered as Mohong, meaning “salt” in the Tai Ahom language, confirming their link to traditional salt storage or production. Though documented earlier, the inscriptions were decoded for the first time during this visit.
The delegation also visited the historic salt well Moran Sum at Subang village, underscoring the crucial role of Nocte salt in regional trade and past conflicts. These salt-related disputes ended during the reign of Ahom king Rudra Singha.
The Minister assured scientific archaeological assessment of the sites, opening possibilities for developing Tirap’s ancient salt legacy into a heritage and tourism attraction.
