Sivasagar, July 26: Not only India and Assam are celebrating the inscription of Moidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty make as a World Heritage Site, but even Thailand too.
This is also the first time a site from the North East has made it to the UNESCO World Heritage List under the Cultural Category. The decision was taken during the ongoing 46th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) being held in India.
Thailand in India Embassy took to X to express their happiness- Congrats 🇮🇳 for the latest inscription on #UNESCO World Heritage List & marking NER’s 1st list under the Cultural category! 🇮🇳 & 🇹🇭 enjoy age-old cultural ties & deep-rooted linkages including 800-year-old connection btw Tai-Ahoms & Thais – Amb Pattarat
In fact, there is an 800-year-old connection between Tai-Ahoms and Thais. In fact, the nominated property contains the royal necropolis of the Tai-Ahom. Before the arrival of the Tai, this part of India was ruled by several smaller kingdoms. The Tai arrived from Mong-Mao (also known as Maulung), an area bordering today’s Myanmar and China in the 13th century. The Tai Prince Siu-ka-pha established Charaideo as the first permanent capital of the Tai-Ahom. The Tai-Ahom became a powerful dynasty between the 13th and 19th centuries, ending with the British colonial period.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma taking to ‘X’ stated, “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 @narendramodi ji , Members of the @UNESCO World Heritage Committee and to the people of Assam. The Moidams of Charaideo embody the deep spiritual belief, rich civilisational heritage and architectural prowess of Assam’s Tai-Ahom community. Apart from the fact this announcement has been made from the soil of Bharat, it’s entry also stands out for 2 more reasons. 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. I urge all of you to come and experience Awesome Assam.”
WHAT ARE MOIDAMS: Moidams or Maidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty are a sacred landscape in eastern Assam, with more than ninety burial mounds established by the Tai-Ahom over 600 years ago. The moidams of Charaideo contain the remains of the Tai-Ahom kings. They are set within a sculpted landscape that reflects Tai cosmologies, modifying the natural features of hills, forests, and water to create a sacred geography. Ninety moidams are found within the Charaideo necropolis, situated on elevated land.
The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) which evaluated the property considers that the nominated property demonstrates 600 years of Tai-Ahom traditions at Charaideo. It believes that the nominated property is an exceptional example of a Tai-Ahom necropolis that represents tangibly their funerary traditions and associated cosmologies. The nominated property has an area of 95.02 hectares and a buffer zone of 754.511 hectares.
The Tai Ahom Yuba Parishad (TAYP) on Friday welcomed the recognition of the Charaideo ‘Maidams’ by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.
Talking to Hub News Hemanta Changmai chief advisor of TAYP welcomed this move saying they were happy that the ‘Maidams’ are declared a world heritage site by UNESCO.
“It was our long pending demand. We are very much happy that UNESCO has declared the Charaideo Maidams as a World Heritage site. Our emotions are attached to the Moidams. The state government has also been trying to brand the Moidams as an international historical tourism site,” Changmai said.
He said nearly 600 bighas of the land were under the ‘Maidams’ which was a core area but around 4556 bighas of the buffer zone were encroached by the people. “We demand the government to free the area from illegal encroachment,” the union said.
Jiten Borpatra Gohain, member of the Charaideo Maidam Conservation Committee from Sivasagar said, “Today, we feel an overwhelming sense of pride and joy. The Maidams represent our history and identity, and their recognition by UNESCO is a gift to all of us. We have been waiting for this moment for a long time.”
Dr Dolly Boruah, a professor of History at Dhemaji College expressed her elation saying, “This is a landmark moment for Assam. The Charaideo Maidams are not just burial sites, they are a window into our glorious past. UNESCO’s recognition will help preserve our heritage and promote it to the world.”
Aniruddha Gogoi, a resident of Sivasagar town spoke about the economic benefits that the listing is anticipated to bring to the district.
“We hope that this recognition will attract more tourists and archaeology enthusiasts. This will boost local businesses and create employment opportunities for the youth,” Gogoi said
