Ahom Dynasty’s Moidam Burial Complex and Shrines Added to UNESCO’s Heritage List

The Charaideo Moidam royal burial complex and shrines, built by India’s Ahom dynasty (1228-1826) in the northeast, have been officially inscribed as a World Heritage Site. The Charaideo Moidams, situated in Assam, are a burial system featuring mounds that served as the resting places for Ahom royalty. These structures were created by layering earth over hollow vaults constructed from bricks, stone, or earth.

The designated area includes 90 moidams of various sizes, developed over a span of 600 years. The site also encompasses other cultural features such as ceremonial pathways and water bodies. The decision was made by UNESCO experts during their 46th session in New Delhi, where they are assessing nominations for the World Heritage Site list, as per a press release by UNESCO.

Moidams: Homes for Spirits

The moidams, situated in the foothills of the Patkai Ranges in eastern Assam, are a significant royal burial necropolis established by the Tai-Ahom dynasty. This hallowed site exemplifies the funerary customs of the Tai-Ahom people, who migrated to what is now Assam in the 13th century under the leadership of Prince Sukaphaa. Charaideo, their initial capital, was selected as the location for the royal necropolis.

For 600 years, from the 13th to the 19th centuries AD, the Tai-Ahom constructed moidams, or “homes for spirits,” at this site, that harmonized with the natural features of hills, forests, and water, creating a sacred geography that accentuated the natural topography.

The Charaideo necropolis features the aforementioned 90 moidams, strategically placed on elevated terrain. Each moidam comprises an earthen mound erected over a hollow vault, which is constructed from brick, stone, or earth, and is topped with a shrine situated at the center of an octagonal wall. This architectural design demonstrates the Tai-Ahom’s harmonious integration of natural landscapes, such as hills, forests, and water bodies, to form a sacred geography, reports The Associated Press.

Moidams, located in the foothills of the Patkai Ranges in eastern Assam, India. (Directorate of Archaeology, Government of Assam/UNESCO)

Experts highlight that the shrines exhibit the remarkable architecture and craftsmanship of Assam’s masons, often drawing comparisons to the royal tombs of China and the pyramids of the Egyptian pharaohs! According to UNESCO, this site boasts the largest concentration of these vaulted mound burials, mirroring the sculpted landscape of the surrounding hills.

Modiam burial mound, Bokopukhuri Habi, Assam, India (Aniruddha Buragohain/CC BY-SA 3.0)

The Ahoms: Chinese Origins, Brahmaputra Valley Monarchy

The Ahom kingdom, which reigned from 1228 to 1826, was a powerful and significant monarchy in the Brahmaputra Valley in Assam, India. It was established by Sukaphaa, a Tai prince from Mong Mao (present-day Yunnan in China), who migrated along with his followers through the Patkai hills and settled in the region.

The establishment of the Ahom kingdom marked the beginning of a 600-year reign characterized by remarkable administrative and military strategies, which played a crucial role in the unification and protection of the region.

One of the most notable aspects of the Ahom administration was their sophisticated and systematic governance. The Ahoms implemented the Paik system, a form of corvée labor, where each adult male was obliged to provide service to the state in various capacities. This system ensured a steady supply of labor for state projects, including agricultural activities, construction, and military service.

The kingdom was divided into several provinces called “Sakhas,” which were further subdivided into “Parganas” for efficient administration. Additionally, the Ahom rulers were known for their progressive policies, such as land grants to scholars and religious figures, which promoted cultural and educational growth, reports The Hindu.

The Ahom kingdom is also renowned for its military prowess, particularly its ability to repel several Mughal invasions. The most significant of these was the Battle of Saraighat in 1671, where the Ahom general Lachit Borphukan led a decisive victory against the much larger Mughal forces under Raja Ramsingh I.

Culturally, the Ahom kingdom was a melting pot of diverse traditions and practices. While the Ahoms brought with them Tai customs and religious practices, they gradually assimilated with the indigenous Assamese culture. This synthesis resulted in a unique cultural heritage that is evident in the region’s language, literature, art, and architecture. The Ahoms also patronized various religious practices, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and the indigenous faiths, promoting a syncretic culture.

The decline of the Ahom kingdom began in the late 18th century, primarily due to internal conflicts, administrative inefficiencies, and external invasions. The Moamoria rebellion (1769–1805), a major uprising by the Moamoria sect, severely weakened the kingdom. This internal strife, coupled with repeated Burmese invasions in the early 19th century, further destabilized the region.

The final blow came with the signing of the Treaty of Yandabo in 1826, following the First Anglo-Burmese War, which led to the annexation of Assam by the British East India Company, marking the end of the Ahom rule.

Top image: Charaideo Maidam of Ahom Kings at Charaideo in Sivasagar, Assam. Source: Mozzworld/CC BY-SA 4.0

By Sahir Pandey