23-July-2024-Special-Article

MOIDAMS OF THE AHOM DYNASTY AND THEIR WORLD HERITAGE PROPOSAL

The ‘Moidams’ of the Ahom dynasty have been nominated for inclusion in the World Heritage Sites list during the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee, which India will host in New Delhi in July 2024.

Currently, UNESCO’s World Heritage list features 1,199 properties from 168 countries.

What are Moidams?

• Medieval Burial Mounds: Moidams represent the burial tradition of the Tai Ahom Dynasty in Assam from the 13th to the 19th century CE.
• Construction Materials: They were built using earth, bricks, and stone. The outer structure often consisted of an earth mound surrounded by a brick or stone wall.
• Royal Resting Places: These are the burial sites for royal families in Assam’s Charaideo district.
• Burial Practices: The Moidams contain the mortal remains of Ahom royalty, who were buried with their belongings. After the 18th century, the Ahom rulers adopted Hindu cremation and entombed the cremated bones and ashes in a Moidam at Charaideo.
• Comparative Significance: These burial sites are comparable to the royal tombs of ancient China and the Pyramids of Egyptian Pharaohs.

About the Ahom Kingdom

• Foundation and Duration:

• Established in 1228 in Assam’s Brahmaputra valley by Chaolung Sukapha in 1253.
• The kingdom maintained sovereignty for 600 years until annexed by the British in 1826 through the Treaty of Yandaboo.

• Capital:

• Charaideo was the initial capital, located over 400 km east of Guwahati.

• Political Setup:

• Ahoms established a new state by overpowering the older political system of the bhuiyans (landlords).
• The state relied on compulsory labor known as paiks.

Society:

• Ahom society was organized into clans or khels, with each khel controlling several villages.
• They worshipped tribal gods but later adopted Hinduism and the Assamese language, although Ahom kings retained some traditional beliefs.

• Military Strategy:

• The Ahom Army included infantry, navy, artillery, elephant corps, cavalry, and spies.
• Main weapons included bows, arrows, swords, javelins, discus, guns, matchlocks, and cannons.
• Expert in guerrilla warfare and constructing boat bridges in the Brahmaputra.
• Notable Battle: The Ahom navy, led by Lachit Borphukan, defeated the Mughal forces at the Battle of Saraighat in 1671.
• The Lachit Borphukan gold medal, established in 1999, is awarded to the top cadet at the National Defence Academy.

UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites

• Definition: A World Heritage Site is recognized by UNESCO for its exceptional cultural or physical importance.
• Administration: The list is managed by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee under the World Heritage Programme.
• Legal Framework: This is based on the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.
• India’s Heritage Sites:

• India has 42 World Heritage Sites: 34 cultural, 7 natural, and 1 mixed site.
• Recent Additions: Santiniketan (2023) and the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas (2023).

Conclusion

The inclusion of the Moidams of the Ahom dynasty in the World Heritage Sites list highlights the cultural and historical significance of the Ahom burial traditions and the broader historical context of the Ahom kingdom. This recognition not only preserves these sites but also promotes awareness of Assam’s rich heritage.

Mains Question:

1. Discuss the cultural and historical significance of the Moidams of the Ahom dynasty and their implications for Assam’s heritage upon their inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. (150 WORDS)