The Indian pyramid

Very little is known about the Charaideo district of Assam, which makes it a perfect hidden gem for travellers. Entrenched in history, it was the first permanent capital of the Ahom kingdom. Sidheswar Kumar Mishra, the Founder of Assam Tours & Travels, tells us more.

In the long 600 years of Ahom ruling, royals constructed many architectural marvels which are time tested and still making their presence felt. Some of the architectural marvels are Rang Ghar, TalatalGhar, KarengGhar, and many maidams. The ruins of these still attract visitors to witness its grandness. Ahom Maidam is one of them. Maidams are the mausoleum of the royals and aristocracy of the medieval Ahom Kingdom in Assam. The royal maidams are found exclusively at Charaideo district of Assam whereas many others are scattered in different places of upper Assam. Earlier it was under Sibsagar district but now a new district is created by the title name. Around 40 maidam of Ahom era are preserved on this hillock. Archaeological Survey of India is working hard to conserve the historical heritage of Assam. This maidam is situated on Sibsagar-Sonari road and around 90km away from Jorhat Airport.

You will witness the historical maidams of Charaideo on the hillock. It is significant of all the maidams of Assam. The Cheraideo Maidam as it is called is having the charm of its origin. Charaideo is a blend of three Tai words Che-Rai-Doi. Che means Hillock, Rai means Shining and Doi means town. It literally means Shining City on the Hillock. Chaoulung Shukafaa established his territory here in his initial years and later moved to the other part and established his capital in present-day Sibsagar town. But Charaideo remained the sacred place for Ahoms. It was the place of Ahom worships and subsequently, it became the place of ancestral Gods. This maidam are raised in pyramidal shape over the hillock with the help of earthen mounds. With an open pavilion at the peak called chawchali, these superstructures were constructed by an earthen mound that rises high above the ground. These superstructures consist of vaults and chambers covered by hemispherical shape. The base of the entire maidam was enclosed with an octagonal dwarf wall.

Ahoms followed unique mortuary practice in which they buried kings and nobles’ dead bodies in the coffin. After prolonging royal rituals and traditional practices these coffins were laid to rest inside these maidams or tombs. At the burial site earthen mound were raised in the pyramid shape. It is sacred burial ground of different kings and queens of Ahom dynasty. On this hillock, many tombs are there. Every tomb is of different size and shape. This denoted the power and status of buried individuals of the royals.

It is also associated with Ahom ancestral god. Maidams are traditional places of offer worship to ancestors. Held annually on 31st January, tradition of paying homage is practised and this tradition is known as Me-Dam-Me-Phi.The maidams of Ahom kings in Charaideo has some similarity with the famous pyramids of Egypt. As both the structures were used for burial purpose, both the structures are made in a triangular shape, both the structures have very high social as well as historical values. Visiting Charaideo will be a lifetime memory. Come experience awesome Assam!