Recommendation to include Assam's 'Ahom Maidam' in UNESCO's World Heritage List, decision will be taken soon
UNESCO: The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) has prepared the 'Evaluation of Nominations of Cultural and Mixed Properties' report. This report will be presented in the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee to be held in New Delhi from 21-31 July.
The Ahom era 'Maidam' located in the Charaideo district of Assam has strongly been recommended to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This has been done by ICOMOS, the international advisory body. Let us tell you that Ahom Maidam is the cemetery of the royalty of Assam. The ICOMOS, or International Council on Monuments and Sites, has prepared the report 'Evaluation of Nominations of Cultural and Mixed Properties'. This report will be presented at the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi from 21-31 July.
Out of the 36 nominations submitted, 19 new nominations came from different parts of the world, and Ahom Maidam was the single application from India. In a development that is likely to bring cheer to the authorities of the burial place of the Ahom dynasty, ICOMOS has recommended the inclusion of the site in the World Heritage List under Criteria 3 and 4. With the nomination getting the recognition to be included in the list for the first time, the Maidams are only a step away from formally entering the UNESCO World Heritage List. They were first included in the Tentative List in April 2014.
ICOMOS is the advisory body of UNESCO for cultural heritage in France. This is an international nongovernmental organization composed of professionals, experts, representatives of local authorities, companies, and heritage organizations working for the conservation and promotion of the architectural and landscape heritage of countries worldwide. Ahom Maidam possesses an area of 95.02 hectares and its buffer zone extends over 754.511 hectares. The report mentioned 90 structures within the Maidam at Charaideo, located on high land. Those were built as hollow earthen mounds out of either brick, stone, or clay. It has a temple built in the center of an octagonal wall. The Maidam, located in Charaideo, is the cemetery set for Ahom kings and queens. It is a specimen of the resplendent architecture and skill of Assamese artists of the medieval age.
