The Charaideo Moidams, a distinctive 700-year-old mound-burial system of the Ahom dynasty from Assam, was formally inscribed on July 26th, making it the 43rd Indian property to be listed in the esteemed United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage List.
The World Heritage Committee (WHC) is currently holding its 46th session in Delhi, the nation’s capital, where a decision has been made. India’s proposal for Charaideo Moidams (pyramids) to be recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the cultural category for 2023–2024 was made. The Indian government chose the site in Assam out of 52.
Following the declaration, celebrations were held throughout Assam. Union Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who was present at the conference, stated, “We are proud and grateful for the 43rd Indian addition to the World Heritage List. This was made possible through the efforts of the Assam government and the leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
On July 21, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that Charaideo Moidam will become the first cultural heritage site in Assam and the northeast and India’s 43rd UNESCO world heritage site.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated in X, “THIS IS HUGE 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 @narendramodiji , Members of the
@UNESCO World Heritage Committee and to the people of Assam.”
He added, “The deep spiritual belief, rich civilisational heritage, and architectural prowess of Assam’s Tai-Ahom community are embodied by the Moidams of Charaideo,”. This declaration is notable for two additional reasons in addition to the fact that it was made from Indian territory.For the first time, a location from the Northeast has been included in the Cultural Category of the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is also Assam’s third #WorldHeritageSite, following the National Parks of Kaziranga and Manas. I implore everyone to visit and take in #AwesomeAssam.”
“I would like to bring to your kind notice that the Government of Assam has submitted the World Heritage Nomination Dossier of the cultural heritage site of Moidams—the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty in Charaideo (Assam) to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), for onwards submission to UNESCO for their evaluation in the current year cycle of 2023,” Sarma wrote in a letter to the Prime Minister on January 16 of last year.Moidams, also spelt Maidams, are a remnant of the Tai Ahoms’ over 600-year-old mound burial custom from the late mediaeval period (13th to 19th century CE) in Assam.
He continued, “The 90 royal burials at Charaideo are the best preserved, representative, and most complete examples of this tradition out of 386 Moidams explored so far,”. The cremated bones and ashes of Ahom monarchy are interred in a Moidam at Charaideo. Originally, the dead together with their belongings were buried; but, following the 18th century, the Ahom monarchs adopted the Hindu cremation rite. The Moidams are held in great regard. You had graciously given up some time to visit the exhibition at the Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, which featured a model of Moidam that displayed the distinctive funeral architecture and customs of the Tai Ahoms, during the celebration of the 400th anniversary of Lachit Borphukan’s birth.”
Since 2014, the Assam government has been trying. Sarma stated that Rs 25 crore was allocated for hiring consultants in the 2019–20 state budget.
At the moment, India has forty UNESCO World Heritage Sites: thirty-two fall under the cultural category, seven are natural, and one is mixed. There are two natural areas in Assam: Manas National Park and Kaziranga National Park.
