Amit Shah Celebrates Assam’s Moidams Joining UNESCO World Heritage List
Union Minister Amit Shah announced that Assam’s Moidams, the mound burial system of the Ahom dynasty, has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. This decision was made during the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in Delhi.
In a social media post, Amit Shah expressed his pride, stating, “It is a proud moment for India as the Moidams–the mound-burial system of the Ahom Dynasty–are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The royal burial mounds at Charaideo in Assam bear the memories of the kings and queens of the Ahom Dynasty. The dynasty is known for vanquishing the vast Mughal army several times. This inscription will bring global prominence to the history of Assam.”
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who is from Assam, also shared his excitement, saying, “I thank PM Modi on behalf of the people of North East. 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. I also thank the Ahom community and Assam government.”
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called it a “great win for Assam,” adding, “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.”
The Moidams are the burial mounds of the Ahom kings, queens, and nobles. 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. Though Moidams are found in all the districts of upper Assam, Charaideo, the first capital of the Ahoms, was the necropolis of almost all the Ahom Royals. Charaideo is situated 28 kilometres 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.
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Amit Shah -: Amit Shah is a senior leader in India and the Union Minister of Home Affairs. He is an important person in the Indian government.
Assam -: Assam is a state in the northeastern part of India. It is known for its rich culture, tea gardens, and wildlife.
Moidams -: Moidams are ancient burial mounds used by the Ahom dynasty in Assam. They are important historical and cultural sites.
UNESCO -: UNESCO stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It helps protect important cultural and natural sites around the world.
World Heritage List -: The World Heritage List includes places that are very important for culture or nature. Being on this list helps protect and preserve these sites.
Ahom dynasty -: The Ahom dynasty ruled Assam for about 600 years. They were known for their unique culture and contributions to the region.
World Heritage Committee -: The World Heritage Committee is a group of people who decide which places should be added to the World Heritage List. They meet to discuss and make these decisions.
Delhi -: Delhi is the capital city of India. It is a big city with many important government buildings and historical sites.
Himanta Biswa Sarma -: Himanta Biswa Sarma is the Chief Minister of Assam. He is the head of the government in the state.
Sarbananda Sonowal -: Sarbananda Sonowal is a Union Minister in the Indian government. He was also the former Chief Minister of Assam.
Prime Minister Modi -: Prime Minister Modi is the current Prime Minister of India. His full name is Narendra Modi, and he is the leader of the country.
North-East region -: The North-East region of India includes states like Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, and others. It is known for its diverse cultures and beautiful landscapes.