'Proud moment for India': Amit Shah on UNESCO World Heritage status for Assam's Moidams

Furthermore, he asserted that this inscription will bring global prominence to the history of Assam.

In a social media post on X, Amit Shah wrote, "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."

https://x.com/AmitShah/status/1816789553837146263

The mound burial system of the Ahom dynasty, also known as the Moidams, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List under the category of Cultural Property. The decision was taken during the ongoing 46th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC), held in the national capital, Delhi.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who hails from Assam, said that it is a "big recognition for us." "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," Sonowal said.

The World Heritage Committee is one of the two bodies governing the Convention for the Protection of the World's Cultural and Natural Heritage. It is composed of the representatives of 21 states, elected from the 195 states parties to the Convention.

In the ongoing session, from July 23 to July 25, the Committee will examine the state of conservation of the 124 sites already inscribed on the World Heritage List, 57 of which are also on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Similarly, from July 26 to July 29, the Committee will examine the dossiers of 27 sites proposed for inscription on the World Heritage List. The sites will be examined according to three categories. The three categories are natural, mixed, and cultural.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said it was a "great win for Assam.""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 of Charaideo embody the deep spiritual belief, rich civilizational 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 added in a post on X.

"It is the first time a site from the North East has made it to the UNESCO World Heritage List under the Cultural Category. After Kaziranga and Manas National Parks, it is Assam's 3rd World Heritage Site. I urge all of you to come and experience Awesome Assam," he further said.

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. (ANI)