Assam’s 700-yr-old Moidams to be considered for World Heritage List

Recently, International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) has prepared a report ‘Evaluations of Nominations of Cultural and Mixed Properties’ for the 46th ordinary session of the World Heritage Committee to be held in New Delhi 

• With this recommendation, the first-time applicant Moidams are just one step short of formally entering the World Heritage List by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

ICOMOS Recommending Moidams

• After evaluating the property on all grounds International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) recommendations that the property to be inscribed on the World Heritage List 

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• ICOMOS recommends that Moidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty be inscribed on the World Heritage List based on criteria (iii) and (iv)
  • Criteria (iii): It asserts that it bears a unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or civilization that is either living or has disappeared
  • Criteria (iv): It states that it is an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble, or landscape which illustrates significant stages in human history.

About Moidams

• About: The Moidams are the burial grounds of Tai Ahom kings and queens. 
  • The Moidams enshrine the mortal remains of Ahom royalty along with the objects they cherished. 
• Word derived from: The word ‘Moidam’ is derived from the Tai word Phrang-Mai-Dam or Mai-Tam. 
  • Phrang-Mai means to put into the grave or to bury and Dam means the spirit of the Dead.
• Located in: They are the resting place of royal families in Assam’s Charaideo district.
• Structure: Moidams are hemispherical burial mounds varying in size based on the status of the deceased, featuring a chamber, an earthen mound with a brick structure for offerings, and an octagonal boundary wall with an arched gateway to the west. 
  • Smaller Moidams lack some of these features.
• Comparable to: The Moidams are comparable to the pyramids of Egypt.
• Practice adopted from: After the 18th century, the Ahom rulers adopted the Hindu method of cremation and began entombing the cremated bones and ashes in a Moidam at Charaideo.
• Practice ceased:  The burial practice ceased after the Tai Ahom rulers converted to other religions (Hinduism and Buddhism). 
• Factors Affecting the Property: The main factors affecting the Moidams are heavy rainfall, soil erosion and vegetation growth. These natural elements pose challenges to the preservation and maintenance of the site.
• Cultural Significance of Moidams: Ahom Moidams is an exceptional example of a Tai-Ahom necropolis that represents in a tangible way their funerary traditions and associated cosmologies.

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What are World Heritage Sites?

• About: A World Heritage site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). 
• World Heritage: The 1972 Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage recognizes that certain places on Earth are of “outstanding universal value” and should form part of the common heritage of humankind.
• Designated by: These sites are designated by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, scientific or other forms of significance.
• Backed by: It is backed by the international agreement known as the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, established by UNESCO in 1972.
• Tentative UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites: These are identified by individual countries that they consider to have “outstanding universal value” and may be suitable for inscription on the World Heritage List. It is published by the World Heritage Centre.
• Categorisation of Sites – The sites are categorised in three types:
  • Cultural heritage sites: It includes historic buildings and town sites, important archaeological sites, and works of monumental sculpture or painting
  • Natural heritage sites:  It includes those natural areas that have excellent ecological and evolutionary processes, endangered species etc.
  • Mixed heritage sites: It contains elements of both natural and cultural significance.
• India and World Heritage Site: India has 42 properties inscribed on the World Heritage List.
  • Cultural Heritage Site in India: 34
  • Natural Heritage Site in India: 7 
  • Mixed Heritage Site in India: 1 (Khangchendzonga National Park)

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