Jyoti Bharati (Poki)

Jyoti Bharati (Poki), built in 1874, is now a museum but was originally known as Poki (meaning “concrete”). It served as the residence of Rupkonwar Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, a legendary Assamese playwright, songwriter, poet, writer, and filmmaker. Widely regarded as the founder of Assamese cinema, he produced the first Assamese film, Joymati, in 1935. The building consists of ten rooms, with an inner courtyard reminiscent of Rajasthani architecture. This courtyard provided protection from the sun and rain while ensuring privacy for women. Initially supported by sal tree pillars, these were replaced with iron pillars after the earthquake of 1897. The verandah of Poki is spacious, majestic, and visually striking, and one of the original wooden lamp stands (gosas in Assamese) still remains, adding to its historical charm.