In a significant cultural achievement for India, the “Moidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty” from Assam has been officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The announcement was made today during the ongoing 46th session of the World Heritage Committee at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. This inclusion marks the 43rd property from India to be recognized by UNESCO.
This recognition makes Moidams the third World Heritage Property from Assam, following Kaziranga National Park and Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, both inscribed under the Natural category in 1985. The Moidams of Choraideo, known for their grand architecture that celebrates and preserves royal lineage, are often compared to the pyramids of Egyptian pharaohs and royal graves in ancient China.
The primary purpose of including these heritage sites in UNESCO’s list is to preserve and promote shared heritage based on Outstanding Universal Values (OUVs) found in cultural, natural, and mixed properties across 195 countries. India has been a member of the World Heritage Committee from 2021-25 and is currently hosting its first-ever session since joining UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention in 1972. The 46th session, which began on July 21st, will continue until July 31st.
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Speaking at a press briefing after the announcement, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, highlighted the significance of this recognition, noting that it brings global attention to the unique 700-year-old mound burial system of the Ahom Kings at Charaideo.
He praised the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who nominated these ancient structures as India’s official entry in 2023. The Minister emphasized that this nomination underscores the cultural and historical importance of the Moidams, making them the first cultural heritage site and the third overall site from the North East to be inscribed on the World Heritage list.
India has successfully inscribed 13 World Heritage Properties in the last decade and now ranks sixth globally for the most number of World Heritage Properties. This global recognition testifies to New India’s relentless pursuit of highlighting Bharat’s heritage on the world stage.
The Minister highlighted that the inclusion of Moidams in the UNESCO World Heritage List is a testament to their outstanding universal value. The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) emphasized the Moidams’ exceptional representation of a cultural tradition and significant stages in human history. This recognition underscores the efforts of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Assam government in preserving these historic treasures.
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Shekhawat stressed the importance of promoting the preservation of such monuments, which are abundant in India. The recognition of the Moidams as a UNESCO World Heritage Site serves as a reminder of the importance of conserving cultural heritage for future generations. By visiting and supporting these sites, we contribute to their preservation and the broader narrative of India’s rich and diverse history.
About Moidams – The Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty
Moidams, a royal mound burial site created by the Tai-Ahom in northeastern India, is situated in the foothills of the Patkai Ranges in eastern Assam. These burial mounds are considered sacred by the Tai-Ahom and reflect their unique funerary practices. The Tai-Ahom people arrived in Assam in the 13th century, establishing Charaideo as their first city and the site of the royal necropolis. For 600 years, from the 13th to the 19th century CE, the Tai-Ahom constructed moidams, or “home-for-spirit,” using natural elements like hills, forests, and water to create a sacred geography.
Believing their monarchs to be divine, the Tai-Ahom developed a distinct funerary tradition of constructing moidams for royal burials. These mounds were initially built with wood and later with stone and burnt bricks, as documented in the Changrung Phukan, the Ahoms’ traditional canonical literature. Royal cremation rituals were conducted ceremoniously, reflecting the hierarchical structure of Tai-Ahom society.
The Archaeological Survey of India and the Assam State Department of Archaeology have collaborated to restore and preserve the integrity of Choraideo, despite challenges from early 20th-century treasure hunters. With protection from both central and state regulations, the site is well-maintained to preserve its structural integrity and cultural uniqueness.
The 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee
The 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2024 is currently examining 27 nominations from around the world, including 19 Cultural, 4 Natural, 2 Mixed sites, and 2 significant modifications to existing boundaries. India’s Moidams – The Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty was the official entry from India this year under the category of Cultural Property.
The inaugural ceremony of the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee was graced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, Dr. S. Jaishankar, Minister for External Affairs, and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Culture and Tourism. The event was attended by Culture Ministers, Ambassadors from various countries, and Cultural Ministers from various state governments.
