Assam’s historical treasure, the Charaideo Moidam royal burial complex and shrines built by Ahom dynasty that ruled the Northeastern State for around 600 years, has received the prestigious UNESCO tag, marking the first cultural site from the region to receive this honor. 

This was announced during the 46th World Heritage Committee session in India. With this addition, India now proudly hosts 43 World Heritage Sites.

The ‘Moidams’  in Assam’s Charaideo district with their striking pyramid-like structures captures the State’s regal past, and simultaneously offers a fascinating blend of history, architecture, and folklore of the Tai-Ahom dynasty.  The UNESCO tag highlights the global appreciation of the Tai-Ahom dynasty’s rich cultural heritage and historical contributions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed pride and joy over the inclusion, highlighting the cultural and historical value of the ‘Moidams’. while Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat called the decision a “day etched in golden letters”.

‘Moidams’ was submitted as India’s nomination for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List for the year 2023-24.

“The Moidams at Charaideo showcase the glorious Ahom culture, which places utmost reverence to ancestors. I hope more people learn about the great Ahom rule and culture. Glad that the Moidams join the #WorldHeritage List,” Modi said in a post on X.

The Moidams are a mound burial system that served as a resting place for Ahom kings and queens. They were constructed by providing an earth cover over a hollow vault made of bricks, stone or earth.

The designated site contains 90 moidams of different sizes, which were created over a period of 600 years, and include other cultural features like ceremonial pathways and bodies of water, said a spokesperson from ICOMOS, the advisory body of the World Heritage Committee.

Reports say that there are actually over 150 moidams, but only 30 are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Assam State Archaeology Department.

Ranjan K Baruah, Advisor to the Skill Employment and Entrepreneurship Department of the Bodoland Territorial Council and a Tourist guide trainer, lauded the inclusion of the Charaideo Moidams on UNESCO’s World Heritage List as a moment of immense pride for the people of Assam and beyond. “These remarkable sites epitomize the grandeur of the Ahom dynasty’s heritage and stand as an architectural marvel akin to the pyramids of Egypt,” he remarked. Baruah emphasiSed that further exploration by the Archaeological Survey of India or similar institutions could unveil additional insights into the rich legacy of the Ahom dynasty, enriching our understanding of this historical treasure.

The Tai-Ahoms migrated to present-day Assam in the 13th century and selected Charaideo as their first capital and location for the royal necropolis.

They established the first capital at the Patkai hills in eastern India and named it Charaideo, which means “a dazzling city above the mountain” in their language. Even though the clan moved across cities, the burial site they built was seen as the most sacred place for the departed souls of the royals.

According to the UNESCO website, the site has the largest concentration of these vaulted mound burials, and reflects the sculpted landscape of the surrounding hills. Moidams are characterized by vaulted chambers, often double-storied, accessed through arched passages. The chambers housed centrally raised platforms where the deceased were laid to rest along with their royal insignia, weapons, and personal belongings. The construction of these mounds involved layers of bricks, earth, and vegetation, transforming the landscape into undulating hillocks reminiscent of celestial mountains.

Several objects used by the deceased during his/her life, like royal insignia, objects made of wood, ivory or iron, gold pendants, ceramic ware, weapons, clothes to the extent of human beings (only from the Luk-kha-khun clan) were buried with their king, according to the website.

 Reacting to ‘Moidams’ receiving the UNESCO tag, Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said it is a day “etched in golden letters” and thanked UNESCO, the World Heritage Committee for understanding the outstanding universal value of ‘Moidams’.

In the Northeastern State, the Kaziranga National Park and the Manas National Park fall in the natural and mixed heritage categories respectively.