India’s Moidams from Assam Inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List

The inclusion of these heritage sites aims to preserve and promote shared cultural heritage based on Outstanding Universal Values (OUVs) found across cultural, natural, and mixed properties worldwide.

In a significant cultural milestone, “Moidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty” from Assam has been officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This announcement, made on July 26, 2024, during the ongoing 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi, marks India's 43rd property to receive this prestigious recognition.

The Moidams of Charaideo, renowned for their monumental burial structures that honor the royal lineage of the Ahom Dynasty, are comparable to the pyramids of Egypt and royal graves in ancient China. This addition makes them the third World Heritage Property from Assam, following Kaziranga National Park and Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, which were inscribed in 1985 under the Natural category.

The inclusion of these heritage sites aims to preserve and promote shared cultural heritage based on Outstanding Universal Values (OUVs) found across cultural, natural, and mixed properties worldwide. India, which joined the World Heritage Committee for the 2021-25 term, is currently hosting its first-ever session since joining UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention of 1972. The 46th session, running from July 21 to July 31 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, involves over 150 State Parties signatory to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention.

Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, highlighted that this historic recognition brings global attention to the unique 700-year-old mound burial system of the Ahom Kings at Charaideo. He credited the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, for nominating the Moidams as India’s official entry in 2023, emphasizing their cultural and historical significance. The Moidams are the first cultural heritage site and the third overall site from the North East to be inscribed on the World Heritage List.

India has successfully added 13 World Heritage Properties in the past decade, ranking sixth globally for the most World Heritage Sites. This achievement reflects New India’s commitment to showcasing Bharat’s rich heritage on the world stage.

Shekhawat noted that the Moidams' inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List underscores their exceptional universal value. The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) praised the Moidams for their exceptional testimony to cultural tradition and significant stages in human history. The recognition highlights the efforts of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Assam government in preserving these historic treasures.

The Minister emphasized the importance of preserving such monuments, which are abundant in India. The Moidams’ inclusion serves as a reminder of the need to conserve our cultural heritage for future generations. By visiting and supporting these sites, we contribute to their preservation and the broader narrative of India’s rich and diverse history, he concluded.