Charaideo Maidam: India's Newest UNESCO World Heritage Site

At the recently held 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi, many nominations for new UNESCO World Heritage Sites were filed, and among the ones that got accepted by the committee happens to be Charaideo Maidam, Assam. As this important heritage site becomes the first from the northeast of India to be included in UNESCO World Heritage Sites In India, it brings to light the Ahom culture of the region, and a history much less explored.

Charaideo Maidam history

At the foothills of the Patkai Hills, lies Charaideo, which was the first capital of the Tai-Ahom clan, which had migrated from China, and had established rule over many parts of the Brahmaputra Valley. Believing that their kings were divine, Tai Ahoms had a unique funerary tradition; the construction of maidams. Charaideo Maidam is the biggest set of these maidams, and is also one of the most revered sites in the culture. As it joins the list of new World Heritage Sites, Charaideo Maidam, is expected to make it to must-visit places in Assam, and a great spot for people who love history.

Structure of Charaideo Maidam, Assam

Characterized by vaulted chambers, often double-storied, maidams are accessed through arched passages, and house centrally raised platforms where the deceased kings of the Tai Ahom dynasty were laid to rest along with their royal insignia, weapons, and personal belongings. Often compared to the royal tombs in ancient China and the pyramids of Egyptian pharaohs, as they all happen to have the themes of honouring and preserving royal lineage through monumental architecture, Charaideo Maidam has close to 90 maidams, and is in quite a good state. 
While there are many maidams all over the Brahmaputra Valley, many of them were ruined by treasure hunters, and out of the ones that remain, Charaideo Maidam is well preserved. With this recognition in list of new world heritage sites, the conservation efforts will only get better.

How is a new UNESCO World Heritage Site identified?

If you’re wondering how new world heritage sites are identified, or how Charaideo Maidam, Assam got to be recognised as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India, we have the answers. Like the recently held 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee that was held in New Delhi, representatives from 21 of the States Parties gather annually to review the evaluated nominations by the countries. Each year, to be included in the new world heritage sites, countries will identify properties and file nominations, which are then evaluated by two different agencies depending on the kind of site. For cultural, there is ICOMOS or the International Council on Monuments and Sites, and for natural, there is IUCN or the International Union for Conservation of Nature. With the inclusion of Charaideo Maidam, Assam, the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites In India has reached 43. At this committee session, many other new world heritage sites were also identified, like the Royal Court of Tiébélé in Burkina Faso, Saint Hilarion Monastery/ Tell Umm Amer in Palestine, and Lençóis Maranhenses National Park in Brazil. 

Disclaimer: The details mentioned throughout this blog are sourced from publicly accessible platforms. At Zeezest, we intend to share factual and verified information. Should there be any inconsistencies or variances in the information provided, please understand that these are entirely unintentional and not meant to mislead.