Assam's 'Moidams' Hope For Place Of Pride On UNESCO World Heritage List

Assam's Ahom-era Moidams, burial mounds of royalty, have been recommended for UNESCO World Heritage status by ICOMOS for their cultural significance.

A Moidam in Assam's Charaideo. (Photo: Assam Tourism)

The Ahom-era Moidams in Assam's Charaideo district — the resting place of erstwhile royal families — could soon find a place on the prestigious World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). If Assam's Moidams' are included in the World Heritage list, they will have access to better funding for the upkeep and promotion of the state's culture and heritage, government and international support, and technical cooperation for the preservation and protection of the sites.

The recommendations for the inclusion of the Moidams in the list came from the France-based International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) after the Centre sent a request for the same, according to news agency PTI. The ICOMOS is an advisory body that ensures the protection, conservation, and promotion of cultural heritage sites around the world.

What Are Moidams?

Moidams are burial mounds of the erstwhile Ahom kings, queens, and nobles, dating back to the Tai-Ahom dynasty. The Ahoms ruled over regions of the present-day Northeast for nearly 600 years till the 19th century. The Moidams were created by building a mound over a hollow vault made of bricks, stones, or earth. A shrine would be placed at the centre of the octagonal wall.

Moidams are primarily found in the Charaideo district of Assam. Charaideo is home to over 90 royal burial mounds. The recommended site is spread across 95.02 hectares and a buffer zone of 754.511 hectares, the PTI report stated.

The 'Evaluation of Nominations of Cultural and Mixed Properties' report by ICOMOS evaluated 36 nominations from across the globe and Assam's Moidams were the lone recommendation from India.

What The ICOSMOS Report Said On Assam's Moidams

ICOMOS released a comprehensive 321-page report evaluating the heritage preservation efforts for Assam's Moidams. The report emphasizes the importance of advancing the current management system by incorporating a sustainable tourism strategy and interpretation plan. ICOMOS praised the Archaeological Survey of India and the Department of Archaeology for their preservation, documentation and monitoring efforts. The main concerns are heavy rainfall, soil erosion and vegetation growth. "Works are also in place to prevent soil erosion and growth of trees on the mounds", according to the report.

It is often compared with similar properties. The report also added, "In the ritual system and tradition of entombing a deceased Royal, Moi-Dams of Che-Rai-Doican be compared to the royal tombs of ancient China and the Pyramids of the Egyptians Pharaohs." If selected, Assam will have three world heritage sites, the other two being Kaziranga National Park and Manas National Park.