India Takes Pride: Assam’s ‘Moidams’ Added to UNESCO World Heritage List

The mound burial system of the Ahom dynasty in Assam, known as Moidams, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List under the category of Cultural Property on Friday. This decision was made during the ongoing 46th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC), taking place in Delhi.

UNESCO is reviewing proposals for 27 new sites for inscription on the World Heritage List, assessing the conservation status of 124 existing sites, and evaluating the List of World Heritage in Danger. The World Heritage Committee, which oversees the Convention for the Protection of the World’s Cultural and Natural Heritage, consists of representatives from 21 states elected from the 195 state parties to the Convention.

During this session, from July 23 to July 25, the Committee will review the conservation status of 124 inscribed sites, 57 of which are on the List of World Heritage in Danger. From July 26 to July 29, the Committee will examine the dossiers of 27 proposed sites for inscription, categorized into natural, mixed, and cultural sites.

Reacting to the announcement, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “The Moidams have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list under the category of Cultural Property. This is a significant achievement for Assam. Thank you to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the members of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, and the people of Assam.”

He added in a post on X, “The Moidams of Charaideo reflect the deep spiritual beliefs, rich civilizational heritage, and architectural skill of Assam’s Tai-Ahom community. This announcement is notable for two reasons. It is the first site from the Northeast to make it to the UNESCO World Heritage List under the Cultural Category. After Kaziranga and Manas National Parks, it is Assam’s third World Heritage Site. I encourage everyone to come and experience ‘Awesome Assam.’”

The Moidams are burial mounds of the Ahom kings, queens, and nobles. The term “Moidam” comes from the Tai word Phrang-Mai-Dam or Mai-Tam, where Phrang-Mai means to bury and Dam refers to the spirit of the dead. Though Moidams are found throughout upper Assam, Charaideo, the first capital of the Ahoms, served as the necropolis for nearly all Ahom royals. Charaideo is located 28 km east of Sivasagar. The first Ahom king, Chau-lung Siu-ka-pha, was buried in Charaideo following Tai-Ahom religious rites and rituals.

(With ANI Inputs)

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