Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed immense joy and pride on Friday as he announced that Assam’s Moidams—burial mounds of the Ahom dynasty—have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. In a post on X, PM Modi celebrated the inclusion, stating, “A matter of immense joy and pride for India! The Moidams at Charaideo showcase the glorious Ahom culture, which places utmost reverence to ancestors. I hope more people learn about the great Ahom rule and culture. Glad that the Moidams join the World Heritage List.”
The Moidams, also known as the mound burial system of the Ahom dynasty, were officially recognized as a Cultural Property by UNESCO during the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee, currently taking place in Delhi. This marks a significant milestone for Assam, as Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted the recognition as a major achievement. Sonowal expressed gratitude to PM Modi, the Ahom community, and the Assam government, noting, “This again proves that PM Modi continues to serve Assam and North-East and as a result, we got a chance to gain recognition across the world.”
The World Heritage Committee, which oversees the Convention for the Protection of the World’s Cultural and Natural Heritage, is composed of representatives from 21 states elected from 195 member countries. The committee’s ongoing session, from July 23 to July 25, reviews the state of conservation of 124 existing World Heritage sites, 57 of which are listed as World Heritage in Danger. From July 26 to July 29, the committee will assess the dossiers of 27 new sites proposed for inclusion in the World Heritage List across natural, mixed, and cultural categories.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hailed the Moidams’ inclusion as a “great win for Assam,” emphasizing the site’s cultural significance. He noted, “The Moidams make it to the UNESCO World Heritage List under the category Cultural Property. A great win for Assam. Thank you, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, members of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, and the people of Assam.”
Sarma also highlighted the Moidams’ unique contribution, stating, “The Moidams of Charaideo embody the deep spiritual belief, rich civilisational heritage, and architectural prowess of Assam’s Tai-Ahom community. Apart from the fact this announcement has been made from the soil of Bharat, its entry also stands out for 2 more reasons.” He pointed out that this is the first time a site from the Northeast has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List under the Cultural Category, and the Moidams are Assam’s third World Heritage Site, following Kaziranga and Manas National Parks.
The term “Moidam” is derived from the Tai words “Phrang-Mai-Dam” or “Mai-Tam,” which translate to “to bury” and “the spirit of the dead,” respectively. While Moidams are found throughout upper Assam, Charaideo, the first capital of the Ahoms, served as the primary necropolis for Ahom royalty. Situated 28 km east of Sivasagar, Charaideo is where the first Ahom king, Chau-lung Siu-ka-pha, was interred with traditional Tai-Ahom rites.