Moidams Of The Ahoms: The Pyramids Of Assam, India (All You Need To Know)

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Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister of Assam, declared on Monday, 23rd January 2023 that the Ahom Kingdom in Charaideo has been nominated by the Center to apply for a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.

Out of 52 locations, these Maidams were selected to receive the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation under the cultural heritage subcategory. When the nation is commemorating Lachit Borphukan’s 400th birthday, the nomination of the Charaideo Maidams has gained prominence.

What exactly is Charaideo Maidams?

The Charaideo Maidams are a representative of the Tai Ahom community in Assam’s late-medieval mound burial custom. After more than 600 years of domination by the Ahoms, the British acquired control of Assam in 1826, putting an end to their dominion.

Over 400 kilometers east of Guwahati is where you’ll find the Charaideo. Chao Lung Siu-Ka-Pha established Guwahati as the 1st capital of the Ahom kingdom in 1253. 90 royal burials have been preserved in Charaideo, and 386 Maidams have been explored thus far.

These graves are regarded as exhibits of the Ahom community’s mound burial custom. The Ahoms followed the Hindu cremation practice after the 18th century and started burying the cremated remains in a Maidam at Charaideo.

Currently, the Ancient Monuments and Sites Remains Act of 1958 and the Assam Ancient Monuments and Records Act of 1959 govern how the Maidams are handled by the Archaeological Survey of India & the State Department of Archaeology.

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How does it look and why it resembles Pyramids?

The two-story vaulted chambers known as Moidams have an archway-lined passageway leading to the front door. A polygonal toe wall as well as an arched entryway on the west of the mud mound’s base fortified it. The mound was covered with layers of earth and bricks. The land will soon grow a covering of vegetation, giving it a hilly appearance.

Moidams had a domed chamber with an elevated platform in the center where the body was deposited, much like pyramids. A number of royal items would be interred with the deceased in addition. Royal emblems, wooden, ivory, or iron items, gold pendants, ceramics, weapons, and clothes are a few examples.

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About Ahoms people:

The Indian states of Assam & Arunachal Pradesh are home to the Ahom people, also referred to as the Tai-Ahom. The individuals who make up this group are a hybrid of indigenous Assamese people who eventually joined the Tai people when they arrived in the Brahmaputra valley in Assam around 1228.

The Ahom kingdom (1228-1826 CE) was established by the Tai group’s leader Sukaphaa and his 9000 true believers, and it ruled over a large portion of the Brahmaputra Valley in present-day Assam until 1826.

About Lachit Borphukan:

Born on November 24th, 1622, Borphukan is most remembered for leading the Saraighat Battle in 1671, which stopped Mughal soldiers from taking Assam. The Saraighat battle took place at Guwahati in 1671 along the banks of the Brahmaputra.

The Ahoms’ triumph over the Mughals is regarded as one of the biggest naval battles to have taken place on a river. He was an inspiration for the growth of India’s naval force, inland water transportation, and infrastructure because of his brilliant naval strategies and techniques.

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Lachit Borphukan Gold Medal:

The ‘Lachit Borphukan Gold Medal’ is awarded to the top cadet at the National Defense Academy. In order to inspire military personnel to emulate Borphukan’s bravery and sacrifice, the award was introduced in 1999.

How to reach Moidams Of The Ahoms:

By Air: Dibrugarh’s Mohanbari Airport is the closest and is approximately 85 kilometres away.

By Train: Bhojo Railway Station is the closest at a distance of 6.3 km and Simaluguri Railway Station is also there at a distance of 32 km.

By Road: Connections between Choraideo and Sivasagar City are good. about 28 km away. From there, you can reserve a car or taxi. There is also access to public transportation.