The Moidams of the Ahom Dynasty in Assam have been declared India’s forty third World Heritage Website on Friday throughout UNESCO’s forty sixth World Heritage Committee session in New Delhi.
The Moidams have been nominated as India’s candidate for the UNESCO World Heritage Checklist for 2023-24. This makes them the primary cultural property from Northeast India to obtain this prestigious recognition from the United Nations’ company that works to advertise instructional, scientific and cultural improvement
What are Moidams of Ahom dynasty?
The Moidams (additionally spelt as Maidam) are burial mounds of Ahom kings, queens, and nobles in Assam. The title “Moidam” comes from the Tai phrases “Phrang-Mai-Dam” or “Mai-Tam,” which means to bury and the spirit of the useless, in line with an instructional report from Assam authorities.
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Perceive significance of Moidams in 5 factors
• Moidams are distinctive burial mounds constructed by the Ahom Dynasty rulers in Assam from the thirteenth to the early nineteenth century.
• These mounds are distinct for his or her structure and mirror the Ahom’s overseas influences.
• Moidams primarily function the burial websites for Ahom kings, queens, and nobles.
• They’re discovered all through higher Assam, with Charaideo, the primary Ahom capital, being the primary necropolis.
• Charaideo turned a sacred website the place the Ahom royalty have been buried following conventional Tai-Ahom rites.
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What does a Moidam have?
Every Moidam has three predominant elements:
1. A vault or chamber the place the physique is positioned.
2. A hemispherical earthen mound protecting the chamber.
3. A brick construction (Chaw-chali) on prime for annual choices and an octagonal boundary wall with an arched gateway.
The scale of the Moidams ranges from small mounds to giant hillocks, relying on the standing and sources of the deceased. Initially, vaults have been made from wood poles and beams however have been changed with stone and brick in the course of the reign of King Rudra Singha (CE 1696-1714).
Contained in the vault, the useless have been buried with their belongings, together with garments, ornaments, and weapons. The burial additionally included valuables and, at occasions, dwelling or useless attendants.
The apply of burying folks alive was abolished by King Rudra Singha.
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How did Moidam burial custom begin and got here to an finish?
The Moidam burial tradition began with the first Ahom king, Chau-lung Siu-ka-pha, who was buried at Charaideo in line with Tai-Ahom rites. This apply continued for Ahom royalty, making Charaideo a sacred website throughout their 600-year rule.
Over time, with Hinduism affect, the Ahoms started cremating their useless. Nevertheless, Moidam burials are nonetheless practiced by some priestly teams and the Chao-dang clan (Royal bodyguards).