Indian Aesthetics - The Maidoms Of Charaideo In Assam

Massive brick-vaulted hemispherical structures covered by an earthen mound and topped with an open brick pavilion, the maidoms , scattered across Assam, tell a fascinating history of the burial of the dead royals

- Sudha Ganapathi

An Introduction to the Ahoms When a group of Tai-Ahoms led by Chaulung Siukapha migrated from China to the Brahmaputra Valley in Northeast India and established the Ahom dynasty in 1228, it took them 25 years to find a suitable place to establish their capital city. In 1253, Charaideo — which is located at the foothills of the Patkai mountain range and 30 km from the present-day town of Sibsagar — was chosen as the first capital of the Ahoms. Though the capital city of the Ahoms would shift to other places during their 600-yearold reign, Charaideo remained an important place for them.

The Ahoms introduced their language, administrative system, and agricultural practices in their new kingdom. Over the centuries, they gradually assimilated with local traditions and beliefs, and built both religious and secular monuments. However, one original custom that the Ahoms continued with almost till the end of the 18th century was their practice of burying their dead royals in vaulted tombs known as maidoms. These maidoms are found in Sibsagar, Jorhat, Dibrugarh and Charaideo, with the maximum numbers in Charaideo. [1] This is because the Ahoms believed that their Gods resided in Charaideo and since the Swargdeos (term used to refer to the Ahom Kings) were considered to be Gods on earth, they were entombed in Charaideo.

Maidoms and Burial Practices of the Ahoms The maidoms of Charaideo have often been compared to the royal tombs of ancient China as well as the Pyramids of the Egyptian Pharaohs, especially in the context of the ritual system, the tradition of entombing a deceased royal, and the pomp and grandeur associated with the status of the dead. [2] [3]