Context:
International Council on Monuments and Sites has recommended inclusion of Assam’s Ahom Era Moidams in UNESCO World Heritage List.
Moidams:
- Burial grounds of rulers of Ahom kingdom that are often compared to pyramids of Egypt.
- Situated in – Assam’s Charaideo
- 1st capital of Chau-lung Siu-ka-pha
- At the foothill of Patkai hills
- Architectural features –
- Materials used – Wood, stone and burnt bricks.
- Exterior of Moidams is hemispherical
- Sizes vary depending upon the power and status of the person buried.
- 3 important parts –
- A Vaulted Chamber with a centrally raised platform where the body was laid
- A hemispherical earthen mound covering the chamber with a brick structure
- Octagonal boundary wall around mound’s base having an arched gateway on its west.
Ahom Kingdom:
- Founder – Chaolung Sukapha
- Economy – Depended upon Forced Labour
- Those forced to work for the state were called paiks
- Society – Worshipped their own tribal gods, yet they accepted the Hindu religion
- Important forts – Chamdhara, Saraighat, Simlagarh, Kaliabar, Kajali and Pandu.
- Demise – Annexed to British India by the Treaty of Yandaboo
Source: Times of India
Previous Year Question
Which amongst the following provided a common factor for tribal insurrection in India in the 19th century?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2011 Prelims]
(a) Introduction of a new system of land revenue and taxation- of tribal products
(b) Influence of foreign religious missionaries in tribal areas
(c) Rise of a large number of money lenders, traders and revenue farmers as middlemen in tribal areas
(d) The complete disruption of the old agrarian order of the tribal communities
Answer: (d)
