A monumental struggle for recognition can now rest in peace.

The moidams of Charaideo, the 700-year-old mould-burial system of the Ahom dynasty, have made it to the Unesco World Heritage site list, the first from the Northeast in the cultural category.

The announcement was made on Friday at the ongoing 46th session of the World
Heritage Committee in New Delhi.

The moidams or maidams are the 43rd property from India to be included in the world heritage list and the third from Assam. The Kaziranga National Park and Manas Wildlife Sanctuary made it to the heritage list from Assam under the “natural” category in 1985 while the moidams are the first under the “cultural” category.

Located in the Charaideo district in Upper Assam, the burial mounds are considered sacred by the Tai-Ahoms and reflect their unique funerary practices. Charaideo was the first capital of the Ahom dynasty, which ruled between 1226 and 1826 when the British took over.

“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,” an official statement from the Centre said.

Union minister of culture and tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the historic recognition brings global attention to the unique mound burial system of the Ahom kings at Charaideo, “highlighting the rich cultural heritage of Assam and Bharat”.

The journey of moidams towards this prestigious recognition was spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who nominated these ancient structures as India’s only official entry in 2023 under the category of cultural property, he said.

The strive for recognition, however, started in 2014 with former chief minister Tarun Gogoi writing to the ASI director-general to fight for the moidams’ inclusion in the world heritage site list.

The Congress government had also worked out a ₹50-crore development plan for the site. Charaideo was declared a district in 2015, however, the Congress was ousted by the BJP in 2016.

Gaurav Gogoi, the deputy leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and son of the former chief minister, posted on X on July 22: “... Former Assam chief minister late Shri Tarun Gogoi was the first to take initiative for getting a world heritage site tag for Charaideo Moidam in 2014. We remain hopeful about
the outcome of the committee’s decision.”

The recognition is set to attract tourists and students of archaeology and history.

Responding to a post on X by Unesco on the moidams, Modi said: “A matter of immense joy and pride for India! The moidams at Charaideo showcase the glorious Ahom culture, which places utmost reverence on ancestors. I hope more people learn about the great Ahom rule and culture. Glad that the moidams join the #WorldHeritage List.”

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) highlighted the moidams’ exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition and their representation of significant stages in human history. The recognition underscores the efforts of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Assam government in preserving the historic treasures, said Shekhawat.

Spread over an area of 95.02 hectares, the Charaideo venue has 90 moidams. With protection from central and state regulations, the site is well-maintained to preserve its structural integrity and cultural uniqueness.

Assam chief minister Himanta Sarma described the recognition as “huge” while thanking Modi and the members of the Unesco world heritage committee and the
people of Assam.

“The moidams of Charaideo embody the deep spiritual belief, rich civilisational heritage and architectural prowess of Assam’s Tai-Ahom community. Apart from the fact this announcement has been made from the soil of Bharat, its entry also stands out for 2 more reasons.

“It is the first time a site from the northeast has made it to the Unesco world heritage list under the cultural category and after Kaziranga and Manas national parks, it is Assam’s third #WorldHeritageSite. I urge all of you to come and experience #AwesomeAssam,” Sarma posted on X.

Members of local organisations and general public made a beeline to the moidams and participated in the celebration, with many bursting firecrackers outside the main entrance.

Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Debabrata Saikia, who represents neighbouring Nazira constituency, extended his gratitude to the present and previous governments for ensuring the inclusion of the moidams in the coveted list.

“Exciting news! #Charideo, the sacred tombs of the Ahom people, is now a #UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrating Assam’s rich cultural heritage,” he wrote on X.

Additional reporting by PTI