Assam’s rich cultural heritage has taken a significant leap onto the global stage with the inscription of the ‘Moidams’, the ancient burial mounds of the Ahom dynasty, on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This momentous achievement, announced during the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee held in India, marks the first time a cultural property from the Northeast has earned this prestigious recognition.
The Moidams, represented by pyramid-like structures, served as the final resting places for the Tai-Ahom royalty who ruled Assam for around 600 years. These unique burial mounds stand as a testament to the deep spiritual beliefs, rich civilizational heritage, and architectural prowess of the Tai-Ahom community.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his elation on X, stating, “The Moidams make it to the UNESCO World Heritage list under the category Cultural Property – a great win for Assam…It is the first time a site from the North East has made it to the UNESCO World Heritage List under the Cultural Category and after Kaziranga and Manas National Parks, it is Assam’s 3rd World Heritage Site.”
The Tai-Ahom people, who migrated from China, established their capital in various parts of the Brahmaputra River Valley from the 12th to the 18th century CE. One of their most revered sites was Choraideo, where they established their first capital under Chau-lung Siu-ka-pha at the foothills of the Patkai hills. This sacred site, known as Che-rai-doi or Che-tam-doi, was consecrated with rituals that reflected the deep spiritual beliefs of the Tai-Ahoms. Over centuries, Choraideo retained its significance as a burial ground where the departed souls of the Tai-Ahom royals transcended into the afterlife.
The Tai-Ahom people believed their kings were divine, leading to the establishment of a unique funerary tradition: the construction of Moidams, or vaulted mounds, for royal burials. This tradition spanned 600 years, marked by the use of various materials and architectural techniques evolving over time. Initially using wood, and later stone and burnt bricks, the construction of Moidams was a meticulous process detailed in the Changrung Phukan, a canonical text of the Ahoms. Rituals accompanying royal cremations were conducted with great grandeur, reflecting the hierarchical structure of Tai-Ahom society.
