Charaideo Moidams as UNESCO Heritage site: Here's how it happened

Guwahati: The 'Moidams' in Charaideo, a 700-year-old mound-burial system of the Ahom dynasty, were included in the UNESCO World Heritage site list on July 26, during the 46th meeting of the World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi. The Moidams now hold the distinction of being the first cultural site from Northeast India to receive this honor, and the 46th World Heritage site in India.

The journey towards this recognition began during the state's 2019-2020 budget when the Assam government allocated  Rs 25 crores for the development of Charaideo, under the leadership of Keshav Mahanta, then the archaeological minister. On January 24, 2023, a collaboration between the Assam Government and the Archaeological Survey of India culminated in the submission of a dossier to the World Heritage Centre.

Given that the Indian government can recommend only one heritage site each year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi selected Charaideo as India’s nominee for 2023. This proposal was officially approved on July 26.

The Indian Chamber of Commerce, along with the RG Saharia Foundation, congratulated the state government on this monumental achievement, highlighting its significance not only for the state but for the entire country.

Moidams, the traditional burial grounds of the Ahom kings and aristocracy, are unique to the world. Charaideo, the first capital of the Tai Ahoms, holds immense historical and cultural significance. Unlike the Hindu practice of cremation, the Tai Ahoms practiced burial, a tradition that has continued for over 600 years. These unique burial mounds include double-storied structures with arched passages. Excavations have revealed that each chamber features a centrally raised platform for the body, surrounded by objects significant to the deceased, such as royal insignia, wooden, ivory, or iron artifacts, gold pendants, ceramic ware, weapons, and clothing. The construction materials include a mixture of black pulses, molasses, duck eggs, fish, and lime, which demonstrate the advanced engineering techniques of the time.

The Assam government prepared the proposal, which met all the technical criteria set by UNESCO. This proposal was chosen by the federal government from among various state nominations.

In support of this initiative, Mahesh Kumar Saharia, chairman of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and the RG Saharia Foundation, contributed USD 22,000 to the Chief Minister’s Fund for the evaluation of the proposal. Mr. Saharia, a prominent industrialist and philanthropist from Assam, emphasized the historical parallels between the Ahom burial practices and those of ancient Egypt, dubbing the Charaideo Moidams the “Pyramids of Assam.”

"The Assam government must be lauded for its efforts in rapid state development, emphasizing the improvements in ease of living, business infrastructure, and overall state progress.", said Saharia.