What are Ahom Moidams, Assam's 700-year-old royal burial grounds now a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Moidams are ancient hemispherical burial mounds of the Ahom royalty and aristocracy in Charaideo, Assam, covered in grass and often enclosed by a low octagonal wall with a single entrance.
On Friday, the Moidams, a 700-year-old burial system of the Ahom dynasty in eastern Assam, earned a place on UNESCO¡¯s World Heritage List. This marks the first cultural site from the Northeast to receive this honor.
? BREAKING!
¡ª UNESCO ?? #Education #Sciences #Culture ?? (@UNESCO) July 26, 2024
New inscription on the @UNESCO #WorldHeritage List: Moidams ¨C the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty, #India ??.
??https://t.co/FfOspAHOlX #46WHC pic.twitter.com/H3NU2AdtIq
The nomination, submitted over a decade ago, culminated in recognition that Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat described as a day ¡°etched in golden letters.¡±
THIS IS HUGE ?
¡ª Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 26, 2024
The Moidams make it to the #UNESCO World Heritage list under the category Cultural Property - a great win for Assam
Thank You Hon¡¯ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji , Members of the @UNESCO World Heritage Committee and to the people of Assam ?
1/3 pic.twitter.com/ALia92ZGUq
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma emphasised the significance of this achievement, noting it is the state's third World Heritage Site, following Kaziranga and Manas National Parks. The Moidams stand as a testament to Assam's rich history, architecture, and cultural heritage.
Moidams: Burial sites of Ahom royalty
Moidams are ancient burial mounds of the Ahom royalty and aristocracy, primarily found in Charaideo, Assam. These structures resemble hemispherical earthen mounds rising above the ground, covered in grass, and often surrounded by a low octagonal wall with a single entrance.
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Inside each moidam is a vaulted chamber holding the burial of Ahom kings and queens, along with items needed for the afterlife such as royal insignia, artifacts, and even servants and livestock. The height of a moidam reflects the power and status of the person buried.
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Charaideo, the first capital of the Ahom kingdom, contains the most sacred and significant moidams, often referred to as the "Pyramids of Assam." Out of over 150 moidams, only 30 are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, with many in disrepair.
History of Ahom Dynasty
The Ahom dynasty, one of India's longest-reigning ruling families, was founded by Chau-lung Siu-ka-pha in the 13th century after the Tai people migrated from southern China.
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They established their first capital at Charaideo in 1253 AD and ruled for 600 years, with their kingdom extending from modern-day Bangladesh to Burma. Known for their administrative skills and warrior prowess, the Ahoms created a culturally rich and powerful kingdom in Assam.
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Also Read: World Heritage Day 2024: 9 Off-Beat Heritage Sites In India That You Must Explore This Year
Charaideo remained a symbolic and ritual center throughout their reign, with its sacred burial grounds signifying the dynasty's enduring legacy. Despite the conversion of many Ahoms to Buddhism and Hindu cremation practices, the unique burial traditions of the moidams highlight the dynasty's distinctive cultural heritage.
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