Assam's Moidam gets place in UNESCO heritage site: becomes India's 43rd place
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Historical inclusion
On July 26, 2024, UNESCO recognized Moidam in eastern Assam as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Moidams are 700-year-old burial systems of the Ahom dynasty, acknowledged for their cultural significance and historical importance.
Cultural significance
Modems are burial vaults built of brick, stone or clay, located at the foot of the Patkai range. They contain the remains of the Tai-Ahom royal family, of which about ninety Moidams are present at this site.
UNESCO has highlighted that the Tai-Ahom people built these Moidams over 600 years, helping to create a sacred geography out of the natural landscape of hills, forests and water.
This careful integration of natural elements with burial structures reflects the cultural and spiritual values ββof the Ahom dynasty.
Ministerial Approval
Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat described the inclusion of Moidam in the World Heritage List as an important occasion. He emphasized the global importance of Moidam and expressed gratitude to UNESCO and the World Heritage Committee for recognizing the cultural value of the site.
Historical Context
Moidam is the third site from Assam and the Northeast to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, after Kaziranga National Park and Manas Wildlife Sanctuary in 1985 in the natural category.
Unlike the common Hindu practice of cremation, the Ahoms, who originated from the Tai people, followed the practice of burial. The height of the Moidam usually reflects the status of the person buried in it, although most Moidams are unknown, except for ‘Gadhadhar Singh’ and ‘Rudra Singh’, a father-son duo who ruled for many years.
Similarities with Egyptian practices
Inside the Moidam, the deceased king was buried with ‘afterlife’ goods, including servants, horses, livestock and even his wives.
This practice is reminiscent of ancient Egyptian burial customs, earning Charaideo Moidam the nickname ‘Pyramid of Assam’. The recognition by UNESCO reflects the cultural richness and historical depth of the Moidam, further highlighting India’s diverse heritage.
