Introduction and Context

  • Recently, India proposed the 'Moidams’ of the Ahom dynasty for inclusion in UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites list. This noteworthy proposal came during the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee.

Hosting the World Heritage Committee's Session

  • In a notable first, India is set to host the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi in July 2024.
  • As of now, UNESCO's World Heritage list features 1,199 properties spanning 168 countries.

Insights into the Historic Moidams

  • Dating back to the late mediaeval period from the 13th to 19th century CE, the Moidams are the embodiment of the mound burial tradition of Assam's Tai Ahom Dynasty.
  • Made primarily of earth, bricks, and stone, the Moidams comprise mound structures typically encased by brick or stone walls.
  • These ancient structures, mostly located in Assam’s Charaideo district, were the final resting places for Assam’s royal families.
  • The Mortal remains of Ahom royalty, complete with their royal paraphernalia, were traditionally buried within these Moidams.
  • The 18th century saw Ahom rulers adopting the Hindu cremation method, beginning the practice of entombing cremated remains in a Moidam.
  • The burial customs of the Ahom dynasty have been compared to ancient China's royal tombs and the Pharaohs' Pyramids of Egypt, testifying their historic and cultural significance.

 Important Information About the Ahom Kingdom

  • The Ahom kingdom, founded by Chaolung Sukapha in 1228, ruled Assam's Brahmaputra valley for about 600 years.
  • The initial capital was Charaideo, located over 400 km east of Guwahati.
  • In 1826, the British annexed Assam under the Treaty of Yandaboo, bringing an end to Ahom rule.
  • The state created by Ahoms involved the suppression of the older political system of the bhuiyans (landlords) and relied on forced labour, known as paiks.

A Look at UNESCO's World Heritage Sites

  • A World Heritage Site is recognized by UNESCO for its exceptional cultural or physical significance.
  • UNESCO's World Heritage Programme, responsible for the maintenance of the World Heritage Sites list, operates under the international treaty, 'Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage', adopted in 1972.
  • India, with 42 World Heritage Sites (broken down as 34 cultural, 7 natural, and 1 mixed site), is an active participant. The recent additions from India include Santiniketan (2023) and the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas (2023).