GUWAHATI: The mound-burial system of the Ahom dynasty in Assam, known as 'Moidams,' was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on July 26.
This marks the first cultural property from Northeast India to receive this prestigious designation. The decision was made during the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC), currently taking place in India. 'Moidams' was submitted as India's nomination for the UNESCO World Heritage List for 2023-24.
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Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma took to X to put out, "The Moidams make it to the #UNESCO World Heritage list under the category Cultural Property This is a great win for Assam’s. Thank You Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji , Members of the @UNESCO World Heritage Committee and to the people of Assam."
Earlier, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) recommended the inclusion of Assam's 'Moidams' on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The 'Moidams' are mound-burial sites from the Ahom dynasty.
Janhwij Sharma of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) confirmed that 'Moidams' meet the necessary criteria for a UNESCO heritage tag.The 'Moidams' are unique burial mounds used by the Tai-Ahom dynasty, characterised by pyramid-like structures.
The nomination was submitted for the 2023-24 cycle.‘Moidams’ are vaulted chambers (chow-chali), often double-storied, that have an arched passage for entry. Atop the hemispherical mud mounds, layers of bricks and earth are laid. The base of the mound is reinforced by a polygonal toe-wall and an arched gateway on the west, according to the UNESCO website.