GUWAHATI: The upcoming 46th session of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, scheduled from July 21 to 31 in New Delhi, holds significant anticipation for the Charaideo Moidams in Assam, as they await potential recognition as a World Heritage Site.
Located in Charaideo district, these ancient burial grounds of the Ahom dynasty have been under consideration since 2023, when they were nominated alongside 52 other sites across India for UNESCO Heritage status.
In a concerted effort to bolster their bid, the Assam government, along with the state Directorate of Archaeology, has been actively promoting and preserving these historic sites.
Recently, a dedicated website, www.charaideomoidamarch.assam.gov.in, was launched to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Ahom-era Moidams and provide detailed insights into their significance.
Developed in collaboration with the Assam Electronics Development Corporation Limited (AMTRON), the website was inaugurated by Nandita Gorlosa, the state Minister for Indigenous and Tribal Faith and Culture.
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It aims to highlight the historical importance of the Moidams and bolster support for their UNESCO inscription.
The mound-burial system of the Ahom Dynasty has been on UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage sites since 2014.
Recently, in May, UNESCO International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) expert Lim Chen Sian conducted a thorough three-day inspection of the site, evaluating its eligibility for World Heritage status.
With over 90 royal burial mounds, the Charaideo Moidams have met all technical requirements set by the UNESCO Secretariat, further enhancing their prospects for inclusion on the prestigious list.
Moidams, a unique manifestation of Ahom burial practices, are tumuli or mounds raised over the graves of Ahom royalty and aristocracy.
Charaideo stands out as the exclusive repository of these moidams, with additional scattered sites found across Eastern Assam between Jorhat and Dibrugarh.
As the World Heritage Committee convenes in New Delhi later this month, stakeholders and enthusiasts alike eagerly await the decision that could enshrine Charaideo Moidams as a globally recognised symbol of Assam’s rich cultural legacy.
