NEWS – Assam’s Charaideo Moidams burial sites have been added to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites list.

HIGHLIGHTS

Charaideo Moidams: Overview

• UNESCO World Heritage Site:
  • Assam’s Charaideo Moidams have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • These burial sites are of the Ahom dynasty, which ruled Assam and the North East from 1228 to 1826 AD.
  • Located around 30 km from Sivasagar town in eastern Assam.
  • Considered sacred by locals.

WHAT ARE MOIDAMS?

• Definition:
  • A moidam is a tumulus, a mound of earth raised over a grave.
  • Primarily used for Ahom royalty and aristocracy.
  • Other moidams for aristocrats and chiefs are found in Eastern Assam, between Jorhat and Dibrugarh.
• Structure:
  • Typically contains one or more chambers in a vault.
  • Covered by a hemispherical earthen mound, topped with grass.
  • A pavilion, known as the chow chali, is placed on the mound.
  • Surrounded by a low octagonal wall with one entrance.
• Burial Practices:
  • Ahom kings and queens were buried with items for the afterlife, including servants, horses, livestock, and wives.
  • Compared to ancient Egyptian pyramids, hence the nickname “Pyramids of Assam.”

Historical Significance of Charaideo

• Etymology:
  • Derived from Tai Ahom words: Che (city/town), Rai (to shine), and Doi (hill).
  • Means “a shining town situated on a hilltop.”
• Historical Importance:
  • First capital city of the Ahoms, established in 1253 AD by King Sukaphaa.
  • Remained a symbolic and ritual center of power throughout Ahom rule.
  • Continued as a burial site for subsequent royals.
• Current Status:
  • Over 150 moidams in the region, with 30 protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
  • Many are in disrepair.

AHOMS: HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RELEVANCE

• Dynasty Background:
  • One of India’s longest-reigning dynasties.
  • At its peak, stretched from modern-day Bangladesh to Burma.
  • Known for their administrative skills and military prowess.
• Cultural Impact:
  • The Ahoms are celebrated for their unity and resistance against formidable forces like the Mughals.
  • Cultural relevance is highlighted by recent events like Lachit Borphukan’s 400th birth anniversary celebrations.