What are Moidams?
The Moidams are located in the foothills of the Patkai Ranges in eastern Assam. They represent a royal mound burial necropolis established by the Tai-Ahom dynasty. This sacred site highlights the funerary traditions of the Tai-Ahom people, who migrated to present-day Assam in the 13th century under the leadership of Prince Chaolung Siu-kha-pha.
The term Moidam is derived from the Tai-Ahom word “Phrangmai-dam.” “Phrangmai” means “to put into the grave,” while “dam” refers to “the spirit of the deceased person.” This tradition began with Siu-ka-Pha, who established his capital at Charaideo in 1253 CE, situated 28 kilometres east of the town of Sivasagar. Following his death, he was buried according to Tai-Ahom funerary rituals, setting a precedent for future Ahom royalty and making Charaideo into a sacred site where the final rites for deceased members of the Ahom royal families were performed. The site was used as a sacred burial ground for 600 years, spanning from the 13th to the 19th century CE.
The site houses 90 moidams that are strategically situated on elevated land within the Charaideo necropolis. Each moidam consists of an earth mound built over a hollow vault constructed of brick, stone, or earth, and is topped by a shrine at the centre of an octagonal wall. The Tai-Ahom integrated natural landscapes, including hills, forests, and water bodies, to create a sacred geography.
Ahom Kings and Burial rituals
Outstanding Universal Value of the Moidams
The Moidams reflect 600 years of Tai-Ahom royal funerary architecture and customs. They have been inscribed under criteria (iii) and (iv) for showcasing the cultural traditions of the Tai-Ahom from the 13th to the 19th centuries CE. The archaeological remains at the site offer insights into the Tai-Ahom’s architectural styles, layouts, and spiritual beliefs, making the Moidams an exemplary Tai-Ahom necropolis.
The importance of the Moidams is heightened by the ongoing Tai-Ahom rituals of Me-Dam-Me-Phi (ancestor worship) and Tarpan (libation), which are still practised at the Charaideo necropolis. Local communities consider the Moidams sacred burial sites and are actively involved in their continued safeguarding and protection.
46th Session of the World Heritage Committee
The 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2024 is examining 27 nominations from around the world. The list includes 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, 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 and ambassadors from various countries.