Maidams

Ahom Maidams of Assam: Silent Guardians of a Glorious Past

Nestled within the verdant landscapes of Assam, the Ahom Maidams stand as solemn sentinels of a bygone era, offering a glimpse into the rich and complex history of the Ahom dynasty. These majestic burial mounds, scattered across the state, are not just relics of the past but also symbols of the cultural and architectural brilliance of the Ahoms. For visitors and history enthusiasts alike, a visit to the Ahom Maidams is a journey through time, where the whispers of the past echo in the serene surroundings.

The Ahom Dynasty: A Brief Overview

The Ahom dynasty, which ruled Assam for nearly 600 years from 1228 to 1826, is one of the most significant periods in the history of the region. Founded by Sukaphaa, a Tai prince from Mong Mao (present-day Yunnan in China), the Ahoms established a powerful and culturally rich kingdom that resisted numerous invasions, including those by the mighty Mughal Empire. The Ahoms are credited with unifying Assam, developing a sophisticated administrative system, and fostering a unique culture that blended indigenous Assamese traditions with Tai influences.

The Significance of the Maidams

The Maidams are royal burial mounds, akin to the pyramids of Egypt, where the Ahom kings, queens, nobles, and high-ranking officials were interred. These structures are not just graves but are considered sacred spaces that reflect the Ahoms' belief in life after death and their reverence for ancestors. Each Maidam was constructed meticulously, with the burial chamber containing the remains of the deceased, along with their personal belongings, weapons, and sometimes even servants, to accompany them in the afterlife.

Charaideo Maidams: The Royal Necropolis

Among the numerous Maidams scattered across Assam, the Charaideo Maidams are the most famous and historically significant. Located about 30 kilometers from Sivasagar, Charaideo was the first capital of the Ahom kingdom and is often referred to as the "Pyramids of Assam." The site houses around 150 Maidams, although only about 30 have been explored and preserved.

The architecture of the Charaideo Maidams is a testament to the Ahom's engineering prowess. These mounds are constructed in a hemispherical shape, with a vaulted chamber underneath, where the royal remains were placed. The exterior was often adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures, though many of these have been lost to time.

Other Notable Maidams in Assam

While Charaideo is the most renowned, there are other significant Maidams across Assam that are worth exploring:

Joysagar Maidams: Located near the Joysagar Tank in Sivasagar, these Maidams are another important site, reflecting the grandeur of the Ahom funerary architecture.
Rangpur Maidams: Situated close to the historic Rang Ghar, these Maidams are smaller but no less significant, offering insights into the burial practices of the lesser nobility and officials of the Ahom court.
Gaurisagar Maidams: Near the Gaurisagar Tank, these Maidams are relatively less explored but hold immense historical value, particularly for understanding the burial customs of the Ahom queens and princesses.

Cultural and Architectural Significance

The Ahom Maidams are not just burial mounds; they are a unique blend of Tai-Ahom and indigenous Assamese architecture. The hemispherical shape of the mounds is believed to represent the womb, symbolizing rebirth and continuity of life. The underground chambers were often elaborately decorated, and the practice of burying personal belongings with the deceased indicates the belief in a life beyond death.

The construction of these Maidams also highlights the advanced engineering skills of the Ahoms. The mounds were built with layers of earth, clay, and bricks, ensuring their longevity. Despite the passage of centuries, many of these structures have withstood the test of time, although they have suffered from natural decay and human neglect.

Preservation Efforts and Challenges

The Ahom Maidams are a crucial part of Assam's heritage, but they face significant threats from natural degradation, unauthorized excavations, and lack of proper preservation efforts. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has taken steps to preserve some of the Maidams, particularly at Charaideo, but much more needs to be done to protect these historical treasures.

Local communities, historians, and conservationists have been advocating for the inclusion of the Charaideo Maidams in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. This recognition would not only help in the preservation efforts but also bring global attention to these remarkable structures.

Visiting the Ahom Maidams

For visitors interested in history, architecture, and culture, a visit to the Ahom Maidams is a must. The serene environment, combined with the historical significance of these sites, offers a unique experience. The best time to visit is during the winter months when the weather is pleasant, making it ideal for exploring these ancient mounds.

While Charaideo is the most accessible and well-preserved site, those with a deeper interest in Ahom history may also explore the other Maidams scattered across Sivasagar and its surrounding areas. Guides and information boards are available at some sites, offering insights into the history and significance of the Maidams.

Conclusion

The Ahom Maidams are more than just burial mounds; they are a testament to the rich history, cultural heritage, and architectural brilliance of the Ahom dynasty. As silent guardians of a glorious past, these structures remind us of the importance of preserving our history for future generations. For those seeking to explore Assam's history, a visit to the Ahom Maidams is an enriching and enlightening experience, offering a deep connection to the region's royal legacy.

Click here to download a brochure on Maidams.

in History Of Assam

Srimanta Sankardev

Assam History

Assam is the eastern most sentinel of India endowed with enchanting and picturesque natural beauty. The State is adorned with beautiful lush covers of greenery, a chain of hills and rivers mainly the Brahmaputra and the Barak. It has been the living place of various races, tribes and ethnic groups since time immemorial. The dynamics of synthesis and assimilation of the races make Assam glorified and rich.

There are several opinions to the origin of the name “Assam”. In the ancient Sanskrit literature both the names ‘Pragjyotisha’ and ‘Kamrupa’ were used as designation for ancient Assam. Its antiquity can be established from the fact that it has been mentioned in the two great epics- The Mahabharata and the Ramayana and also in the Puranas. Regarding the name ‘Prajyotisha’ or ‘Pragjyotishpura’, Gait (1992, reprint) writes that Prag means ‘former’ or ‘eastern’ and Jyotisha ‘a star’, astrology, shining. Pragjyotishpur may, therefore, be taken to mean the ‘City of Eastern Astrology’.

References of Kamarupa are found in literature as well as in many epigraphs. The mythology regarding the origin of the name Kamarupa tells us the story of Sati who died due to the discourtesy shown to her husband by her father Daksha. Overcame by grief, Shiva carried her dead body and wandered throughout the world. In order to put a stop to this, Vishnu used his discus to cut the body into pieces, which then fell into different places. One such piece fell down on Nilachal hills near Gauhati and the place was henceforth held sacred as Kamakhya. But Shiva’s penance did not stop, so the Gods sent Kamdev, the cupid to break his penance by making him fall in love. Kamdev succeeded in his mission, but Siva enraged at this result, burnt Kamdev to ashes. Kamdev eventually regained his original form here and from then onward the country came to be known as Kamarupa (Where Kama regained his Rupa or form).

The name ‘Aham’ or ‘Asom’ was probably given by the Ahoms who came to Assam in 1228 A.D. Even though the origin is ambiguous but it is believed that the modern name Assam is itself an anglicization.

The Ahom’s entered Assam fully assimilated and ruled Assam for nearly six hundred years. The period of Ahom rule is a glorious chapter in the history of Assam. The Ahom dynasty was established by Sukaphaa, a Shan prince of Mong Mao who came to Assam after crossing the Patkai Mountains. It is between 13th and 19th century that several tribal communities also came into the historical forefront of Assam. Kacharis, Chutias and Koch were the prominent tribal groups that were found in the medieval times of Assam. The rule of this dynasty ended with the Burmese invasion of Assam and the subsequent annexation by the British East India Company following the Treaty of Yandaboo in 1826. The British emperor took charge of the state and thus begun the colonial era of Assam.

Assam lost much of its territory to new states that emerged from within its borders. The British annexed Cachar in 1832 and Jaintia Hills in 1835. In 1874, Assam became a separate province with Shillong as its capital. Sylhet was merged with East Bengal on partition of India. With the partition and independence of India in 1947, the district of Sylhet (excluding the Karimganj subdivision) was ceded to Pakistan (the eastern portion of which later became Bangladesh).

However, like all other states of India, Assam was also involved in various freedom movements. With the enthusiastic participation of many courageous activists Assam, Assam became a constituent state of India in 1950. It saw further reduction of its area when Dewangiri in North Kamrupa was ceded to Bhutan in 1951. The capital of Assam was formerly Shillong (now the capital of Meghalaya), and later shifted to Dispur, a suburb of Guwahati, in 1972. The States of Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram got their own separate states.

The history of Assam has passed several stages of development to reach to its present state. The history of Assam can be divided into four eras. The ancient era began in the 4th century with the mention of Kamarupa in Samudragupta's inscriptions on the Allahabad pillar and the establishment of the Kamarupa kingdom. The medieval era began with the attacks from the Bengal Sultanate, the first of which took place in 1206 by Bakhtiyar Khilji as mentioned in the Kanai-boroxiboa rock inscription, after the breakup of the ancient kingdom and the sprouting of medieval kingdoms and chieftain-ships in its place. The colonial era began with the establishment of British control after the Treaty of Yandaboo in 1826, and the post-colonial era began in 1947 after the Independence of India.

The first Governor of independent Assam was Sir Muhammad Saleh Akbar Hydari and Chief Minister was Gopinath Bordoloi who witnessed the foundations laid of Gauhati University (1948), Gauhati High Court (1948) and Guwahati station of All India Radio (AIR). When Gopinath Bordoloi passed away in 1950, Bishnu Ram Medhi took over as the next Chief Minister of Assam. During his tenure from 1950 to 1957, the First Five-Year Plan was started, Panchayat system of governance was introduced and the agricultural sector got more importance.

Bimla Prasad Chaliha was the third chief minister from 1957 to 1970. In 1958th the 66th session of Congress was held at Jalukbari, Guwahati. The Saraighat Bridge was constructed over the Brahmaputra river (1965), an Oil refinery was established at Noonmati, Guwahati in 1962 during his time. In 1959-60 the famous language revolt took place in Assam, and as a result Assamese became the official language of the State and Bengali also enjoyed the same status in the Cachar District of Barak Valley.

Mohendra Mohan Choudhury assumed the mantle of chief minister in 1970. The foundation of Bongaigaon Petro-Chemicals, Paper Mill at Jogighopa and Jute factory at Silghat in Nagaon were laid in his tenure. In 1972 Sarat Chandra Sinha came to power after Congress secured absolute majority. In 1974 the capital was finally shifted to Dispur in Guwahati.

The Assam Movement (1979-1985) was a popular movement against illegal immigrants in Assam. The movement, led by All Assam Students Union (AASU) and the All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP), developed a program of protests and demonstration to compel the Indian government to identify and expel illegal, (mostly Bangladeshisi), immigrants and protect and provide constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards to the indigenous Assamese people. The agitation programs were largely non-violent, but the Nellie massacre was a case of extreme violence. The agitation program ended in August 1985 following the Assam Accord, which was signed by leaders of AASU-AAGSP and the Government of India.

The Assam Accord (1985) was a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) signed between representatives of the Government of India and the leaders of the Assam Movement in New Delhi on 15 August 1985. A six-year agitation demanding identification and deportation of illegal immigrants was launched by the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) in 1979. It culminated with the signing of the Assam Accord.

Today Assam has an area of 78,438 square kilometers. It consists of thirty three districts and is credited to be the most populous state in the entire Northeast India.

Detail View About Assam on Assam State Portal

Data Reference fron Assam State Portal :- https://assam.gov.in/about-us/394