Charaideo

The latest entry to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites from Assam is the Charaideo Moidams or the burial mounds of the Ahom Royals. Along with Kaziranga Natiponal Park and Manas National Park , Charaideo is the third UNESCO World Heritage Site in Assam now. It has been recognised as a World Heritage Site in the Cultural category

Charaideo is the site where one can see the highest number of the Moidams (often called the Pyramids of India) or the earthen mounds under which lay elaborate chambers where Ahom royals were laid to rest,

The mighty Ahom dynasty which ruled Assam for 600 years was established by Chaolung Sukapha. He came to Assam in 1228. The Tai Ahoms brought many unique practices with them. They believed in afterlife and therefore the kings, queens, prince and princesses were buried along with their personal items, dresses and ornaments, weapons, furniture and other items of day to day use . At some point of time they were buried with their favourite servants as well. However, this practice was later abandoned.

Moidams have vaulted chambers, often double-storied, accessed through arched passages. In the chamber there would be a centrally raised platform where the deceased was laid to rest along with their belongings. The construction of these mounds involved layers of bricks, earth, and vegetation. The construction of Moidams was a meticulous process detailed by Changrung Phukan in a canonical text. The burials were done with elaborate rituals.

Though Moidams are found in all the districts of upper Assam, Charaideo is the site where the most of the ahom royals are found since it was the first capital of the Ahoms who ruled over Assam for 600 years. Charaideo is situated 28 km east of Sivasagar. The first king of the Ahoms Chau-lung Siu-ka-pha was buried at Charaideo after his death observing all the Tai-Ahom religious rites and rituals. Since then, it turned into a norm to bury the Tai-Ahom Kings, Queens and Princes and Princesses at Charaideo. Till today it is considered a sacred place not just by the Ahoms but all Assamese in general and is considered a symbol of Assamese pride.

The Government of India and Government of Assam had taken up special efforts to get UNESCO World Heritage Site recognition for Charaideo.