Pyramid-Like Burial Moulds of Assam, Moidams, in UNESCO’s Heritage List

New Delhi/Guwahati: The Moidams—also known as Pyramids of Assam—were declared India’s 43rd World Heritage Site on Friday during UNESCO’s 46th World Heritage Committee session in New Delhi. These belong to the Ahom Dynasty in Assam. This is the first cultural property from Northeast India that has made it to the UNESCO heritage list, reported the Hindustan Times.

Soon after this declaration was made, Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sharma, wrote on X: “THIS IS HUGE The Moidams make it to the #UNESCO World Heritage list under the category Cultural Property – a great win for Assam Thank You Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji , Members of the @UNESCO World Heritage Committee and to the people of Assam.”

Moidams belong to Ahom dynasty

The word Moidam originates from the Tai words ‘Phrang-Mai-Dam’ or ‘Mai-Tam,’ meaning to bury and the spirit of the dead, according to an academic report from the government of Assam. These are the burial mounds of kings, queens and nobles of Ahom dynasty. They reflect the foreign influences on the dynasty. They are present throughout upper Assam. Charaideo, the first Ahom capital, is the main necropolis. It became a scared site as the Ahom dynasty rulers were buried there following the rites and rituals of Tai-Ahom.

From small mounds to large hillocks

Each of these structures has three main parts— a chamber where the body is placed, a hemispherical earthen mound to cover the chamber and a brick portion known as Chaw-chali on top for annual offerings. It is surrounded by an octagonal boundary wall and has an arched gateway. Its size varies from small mounds to large hillocks. The size of the structure depends on the status of the deceased. Like the pyramids, the dead were buried in the vault with their belongings, including clothes, ornaments, and weapons. According to reports, even living or dead attendants were buried in the vaults. But, king Rudra Singha abolished the practise of burying people alive.

Tracking the tradition

The Moidam burial tradition began with the first Ahom king, Chau-lung Siu-ka-pha. He was buried at Charaideo, following the Tai-Ahom rites. This practice continued for Ahom royalty during their 600-year rule. Later, Hinduism influenced the last rites tradition and the Ahoms began cremating their dead. Moidam burials are still practiced by some priestly groups and the Chao-dang clan (Royal bodyguards).