Context:
The Charaideo Moidams became India’s 43rd United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site.
More on the news
- The announcement was made at the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi which is hosted by India for the first time held in New Delhi.
- With this announcement, India stood at the 6th position globally for the most number of World Heritage Sites.
- It is the first North eastern site to be recognised as a World Heritage Site in the cultural category.
About Charaideo Moidam
- They are a unique 700-year-old mound-burial system of the Ahom dynasty from Charaideo district of Assam.
- The burial mounds made pyramid-like structures known as ‘Moidams’.
- Moidams enshrine the mortal remains of Ahom rulers as they adopted the Hindu method of cremation after the 18th century and began entombing the cremated bones and ashes in a Moidam at Charaideo.
- Out of 386 Moidams explored so far, 90 royal burials at Charaideo are the best preserved, representative, and most complete examples of this tradition.
Significance of its inclusion in the UNESCO List
- This historic recognition highlights the rich cultural heritage of Assam and Bharat.
The Ahoms
- Traditionally and culturally the Ahoms are members of the Great Tai (Tai-Yai) group of people.
- In the year 1215 CE, the Ahoms migrated from Mong-Mao or Mong-Mao-Lung (China).
- They entered into the Upper Assam region of the Brahmaputra valley through Patkai Hills under the leadership of Mao-Shang prince, named Chau-lung Siu-ka-pha (first king or Chao-pha or Swargadeo (Lord of the heaven) of the Ahom Dynasty).
- The first Ahom capital was established at Cherai-doi or Charaideo.
- It embodies the deep spiritual belief, rich civilisational heritage, and architectural prowess of Assam’s Tai-Ahom community.