Moidams
Moidams represent the late mediaeval (13th–19th century CE) mound-burial tradition of the Tai Ahoms in Assam, a tradition that continued for 600 years until the end of the Ahom rule which had begun in 1228.
90 royal burials at Charaideo out of 386 Moidams explored so far throughout the State, are the best preserved, representative, and most complete examples of this tradition, and hence lay claim to World Heritage status.
Charaideo Moidams enshrine the mortal remains of Ahom royalty—previously, those of the deceased with their paraphernalia were buried,
But after the 18th century, the Ahom rulers adopted the Hindu method of cremation, later entombing the cremated bones and ashes in a Moidam at Charaideo.
The Ahoms venerate Moidams believing that one part of the deceased’s spirit has eternally resided in the Moidam that ensures the State’s well-being.
Symbolising unique cultural ethos, this heritage site represents the technical genius of the creators who transformed and alleviated a natural landscape into the “Ahom Heaven” as also “Ancestral Spirit Forest”.
The Charaideo heritage site is one of aspirants and contenders under the cultural heritage category in the current year cycle—it adds a new burial typology to the list of World Heritage Sites.
The physical transformation of the scenic natural landscape into a dramatic sacred geography was achieved by clustering burial mounds of varied sizes, that were sited ceremonially.
Charaideo at the foothills of the Patkai range was the first capital and the most revered landscape of the Tai Ahoms. Believing that their kings were ‘Gods on Earth’, the Tai Ahoms chose to bury the deceased royals in Charaideo, the most sacred core of the kingdom.
Moidams are mounds created by providing an earth-cover (or ‘Ga-Moidam’) over a hollow vault (‘Tak’) constructed with bricks and stone or earth.
The hollow cavity within the ‘Tak’ contained a ‘Garvha’ or the burial pit where embalmed bodies or cremated remains (ashes) of Kings and Royals were laid to rest.
The Buffer Zone measuring 754.511 hectare comprises representative component parts associated with funerary rituals, other Moidams and archaeological remains of the first Ahom Capital city and settlements continuing traditional management demonstrating the ‘Ahom-way of life’.
Within the Buffer Zone lies archaeological remains of associated with the funerary traditions like ritual ponds (Sha –Dhuwa Pukhuri and Petu- Dhuwa Pukhuri), ceremonial pathways (Dhodhur Ali and Sha- Niya Ali),
Other Moidams, fragments of the first capital at Charaideo and twin hills with remains of Deo- shal and Lang kuri Doul (Gota Dole) on the low hill, south of Deo – shal – the sacred core of Tai Ahoms. These remains are set amidst a rural landscape where the customary way of life and traditions characteristic to Tai-Ahom culture continues till date.
World Heritage Sites:
They are cultural and/or natural sites landmarks considered to be of ‘Outstanding Universal Value’,
Inscribed on the World Heritage List by the World Heritage Committee of Unesco after thorough scrutiny and evaluation.
These places or buildings are considered to have special importance for everyone beyond the boundary limits of the country in the territorial jurisdiction of which the given site is located.
The World Heritage Convention, adopted by UNESCO and effective since 1975, outlines the responsibilities of member states, referred to as State Parties, in identifying potential heritage sites within their territories.
These sites are categorized as (i) cultural, (ii) natural, or (iii) mixed.
By ratifying the Convention, countries commit to conserving not only World Heritage sites located within their borders but also protecting their broader national heritage.
States Parties that have ratified the Convention are responsible for identifying and nominating potential heritage sites to the World Heritage Committee for inclusion on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
Nominated sites must demonstrate Outstanding Universal Value based on specific criteria, which include six criteria for cultural heritage sites and four for natural heritage sites.
According to UNESCO's latest Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention (July 2021), each State Party (country) is allowed to submit only one nomination per year.
The Government of Assam had earlier submitted the nomination for Moidams to the Committee for review. And after its review, the Committee has sent it to the advisory bodies for evaluation.
A nominated property is independently evaluated by two advisory bodies mandated by the World Heritage Convention – the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) following which it provides the World Heritage Committee with evaluations of the cultural and natural sites nominated.
The State honours the spirit and aspirations of the people of Assam, which owes Ahom kings their exceptional contribution in lay foundations of modern Assam society. The Ahom kings will always be remembered in the history of Assam for integrating divided peoples and regions of the Brahmaputra valley, unifying them in one single thread of modern vibrant Assamese commonality, diversity, and identity.
