The Charaideo Moidams in Assam are the royal burial grounds of the Ahom dynasty. These Moidams were recently named under the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. By doing so, this region is entitled to the status of Nationally Important Area and international recognition. The place is located around 30 km away from Sivasagar, in Eastern Assam.
What are Moidams?
Moidams are tumuli, or instead called earth mounds, which are built over the graves of Ahom kings. Some of the essential aspects of the Moidams are:
- The Ahom royal family’s modems are primarily located in Charaideo. However, similar earth mounds are located across eastern Assam and are easy to find.
- A madam is designed in a vault-like shape with many rooms inside. On top, a hemispherical mound is present. A tower called the chow chili is also present, surrounded by an eight-sided wall.
- Ahoms Kings preferred to be buried rather than burnt, a significant shift away from Hindu customs in India.
- Their practices are similar to the pharaoh’s burying system in Egypt. Hence, many other objects and animals are also believed to have been buried with them.
- The Ahom community believed in the concept of the afterlife. Hence, these moidams contained many things they could use in their afterlife. T
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Why Charaideo is essential
- Charaideo is believed to be the first capital of the Ahom kingdom.
- It was established under the leadership of King Sukaphaa.
- It was established in the year 1253 AD.
- The word ‘Charaideo’ originated from the Tai Ahom language, which roughly means a shining town on a hill.’
- Charaideo was considered a crucial power center during the Tai Ahom dynasty’s reign.
- The place is identified as having significant historical and cultural values.
UNESCO Heritage Recognition
UNESCO has listed the criteria to be included in the prestigious World Heritage Sites list. Some of the requirements met by Charaideo Moidams include:
- Creative Genius—The monument or the area should be an example of a creative genius. Charaideo’s construction is a unique example of creativity.
- Interchange of Human Values—Deaths and burials are community-oriented practices. The monuments at Charaideo are a testament to the power and values the Ahom community upheld in their heydays.
- Cultural Tradition—The monuments at Charaideo are excellent testimonies to a cultural tradition. They also prove the presence of a particularly powerful community in Assam.
- Architecture—The modems are an example of architectural marvels from the Ahom dynasty. They have withstood the test of time and are an important tourist destination.
- Human Settlement- The moidams are proof of the existence of a full-fledged dynasty.
- Natural Beauty- Charaideo Moidams are located in the picturesque locations of Eastern Assam.
Tourism
The moidams are a popular tourist destination today. The government protects Only 30 of the 150 moidams. The other moidams are unprotected and are prone to deterioration at a rapid pace. The Ahom Kingdom rules Assam from the thirteenth to the nineteenth century. This is a significantly long period for a dynasty. They were also known for their systematic rule over the land and their strong military. They were able to fend off attacks from foreign kingdoms efficiently due to their superior military skills and the advantage of the natural landscapes. The site is immensely popular among the people of Assam for its unique structure and tradition. Such sites are rare to find in the country. Significant steps are necessary to preserve the moidams and maintain their status as historically significant sites.
