Charaideo Maidam, located in the Charaideo district of eastern Assam, has officially made it onto the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in the cultural category. During the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee, which took place in Delhi from July 21-31, 2024, the Indian government put forward 52 sites for consideration. Charaideo Maidam proudly stands as the first cultural site from northeast India to be recognized, marking it as the 43rd World Heritage Site overall. This remarkable site offers a fascinating glimpse into the history, mythology, culture, and architecture of the once-thriving Ahom Kingdom.
What is Charaideo Maidams?
The Charaideo Maidams are a fascinating representation of the late medieval mound burial tradition practiced by the Tai Ahom community in Assam, dating from the 13th to the 19th century CE. These burial mounds contain the remains of Ahom royalty, who were laid to rest with their personal items. After the 18th century, however, the Ahom rulers began to adopt Hindu cremation practices, choosing to entomb the cremated remains in a Maidam at Charaideo. Among the 386 Maidams or Moidams that have been studied, 90 royal burials at Charaideo are particularly well-preserved, serving as prime examples of the Ahom’s mound burial tradition.