Jerenga Pothar, an open field in Sivasagar town, is popularly connected to the valour of 17th century Ahom princess Joymoti.
Jerenga Pothar is where Joymati sacrificed her life for her husband in the 17th Century.
Formerly known as Rangpur, Sivasagar was the seat of the powerful Ahom dynasty, who ruled Assam for six centuries (1228-1826).
Chaolumg Sukapha founded the Ahom kingdom.
From 1671 to 1681, the Ahom kingdom was undergoing a period of turmoil, it was at this time that Prince Godapani (Joymoti’s husband) escaped to the Naga Hills before enemies could capture him.
But his enemies captured his wife Joymoti, hoping she would tell them about his whereabouts, however, despite being tortured for days, tied to a thorny plant, in an open field, Joymoti refused to divulge any information.
She died, sacrificing her life for her husband, who ultimately became the king, ushering in an era of stability and peace in Assam.The place Joymoti was tortured to death was Jerenga Pothar.
While the Jerenga Pothar itself is not a protected archaeological site, its vicinity includes a number of protected sites, including the Na Pukhuri tank to its east and the Pohu Garh, a natural zoo built during the Ahom era, to its west.
Close by is the large Joysagar tank, built by Ahom king Swargadeo Rudra Singha in 1697, and the Vishnu Dol temple.
In 2017, the field was used for the centenary celebrations of the apex and influential literary body, the Asam Sahitya Sabha.