Assam History I Charaideo Maidams - Royal Burial Mounds I Ahom Kingdom I 13th Century I Sivasagar

This documentary film brings awareness about "Maidams" existing since 13th century and widely dispersed across Assam, a state in North Eastern Region of India, Asia. These Maidams which appear as hillocks are the "sacred burial mounds" of the royals of Ahom kingdom that ruled for 600 years from 1228-1826 A.D. Through this particular film, we particular explore the Maidams in Charaideo which was the very first capital and a symbolic center through the entire period of the kingdom.
So, The film begins...."Charaideo Maidams" - Necropolis of the Ahom Kingdom......

Located 58 kms from Sivasagar, "Charaideo" was a sacred place and the first capital of the Ahom kingdom which ruled in Assam for 600 yrs from 1228 AD -1826 AD. Charaideo also houses the "Moidams" (pronounced Moi Daams) existing since 13th century. Moidams are the sacred burial place for Ahom Royals - kings, queens, prince, princesses. Depending on the grandeur, prestige of the deceased royal, a Moidam was duly designed of hemispherical shaped mound tops. Ahoms believed in concept of After Life similar to the Pharaohs in Egypt and Altai's in Siberia. So, the deceased royal leaves his physical embodiment in earth to continue his journey in the other world.

With numerous hemispherical shaped mounds dotting the landscape of Charaideo appearing as a series of hillocks. And thus it was envisioned that over a period of time, Charaideo would be "the dazzling mountains in the sky".

As per historians, when Ahom kings known as "Swargadeos" would depart, they would be buried in pomp and glory with lots of valuables, utensils, jewellery, luxurious essentials and non essentials. Further, Moidams took sometime to be readied as after finalisation of design, excavation of the earth followed by the brick laying across in the form of polygonal base. Meanwhile, body of the deceased was preserved with a chemical solution whose major ingredient was Honey. This delayed decomposition and putrefaction. As per records, preservation period ranged from 11-43 days. With rituals, the deceased would be washed in a sacred pond carried by a select few persons and with special "dam" puja rituals laid down into the Moidam which would be filled with earth followed by brick fortification. In some instances, there would be an inner sanctum akin to Garbha Griha where a light "Saki" would be alighted. Special officers were appointed to look after the Moidams.

Over the period of 600 yrs Ahom rule, there were numerous maidams to the scores of 100s spread over the hills near Jorhat, Dibrugarh. Charaideo however remained the most sacred place with the burials of their most revered Swargadeos. Around 50 Maidams are conserved by ASI.

Most maidams have been looted by treasure hunters who dug and excavated to take hold of valuables inside. The Mughal General Mir Jumla who had occupied the erstwhile Ahom capital for brief period of one year in 1662 before being evicted out had brought his convoy of elephants and filled their backs packed to the brim with the treasures from the plunder of only a few of these Maidams. Later on the British also defiled and destroyed many Maidams. The tea estates usurped many of these lands and local residents built houses and their residences as well.

Much of the heritage has thus been ravaged either by forces of nature or by the human lust for wealth and land. Conscientious Restoration being the need of the hour is required for protecting this cultural heritage.

#Assam #AssamTourism #Charaideo #Sivasagar

End note : A film made for purely nonprofit and educational awareness, following objectives are expected to be met:
1. Historical awareness as documentary films, visual medium has more reach than books
2. Sense of preservation of these historical legacies
3. Global awareness of the rich history and promoting "heritage tourism"