A very significant historical place of Assam. It is also known as the Pyramids of Assam and is a UNESCO world Heritage Site. It was a burial site for ancient Ahom kings and generals. The mounds were prepared above the burial site where Kings and royal members were buried with jewellery, and daily essentials. The place is well maintained and has a pleasant atmosphere. You can have a walk around the tombs and visit ancient buildings. There are resting places too. The ticket price is Rs 25 for offline bookings and Rs 20 for online bookings. The place is nearly 30 km from Sivasagar town. It will be better to take a reserved vehicle with you while visiting as few regular vehicles run on the route.
The tombstones of the Ahom royals. Burial mounds whose size is proportional to the status and position. Excellent greenery, well-maintained spot of historical importance.
the Ahom kingdom established by the first Ahom king Chao Lung Siu-Ka-Pha in 1253.[2] Even though the capital moved to other places over the course of the 600 years of rule, Charaideo remained the symbol of Ahom power. It is now known for its collection of maidams, tumuli or burial mounds of the Ahom kings and Ahom royalty.Before the arrival of Sukaphaa the place was a place of worship for local tribes like Moran, Borahi. Though the capital of the Ahom kingdom moved many times, Charaideo remained the symbolic center. It contains sacred burial grounds of Ahom kings and queens and is also the place of ancestral Gods of the Ahoms. The Ahom kings and Queens were buried after extensive and long royal burial rituals. The tombs Maidam of Ahom kings and queens at Charaideo hillocks resemble the shape of the pyramids and are objects of wonder revealing the excellent architecture and skill of the sculptors and masons of Assam of the medieval days.
Very good place. Related with assamese sanskriti. Beautiful place. Charaideo , group of maidams
Great place to learn about Ahom kingdom and beginnings of Assam history !! Only issue is very less information present at the site !! No boards in English explaining about the structure and who it belongs to !! If you are planning a trip to kaziranga then do take a day out and visit sibsagar and surroundings to understand the beginning of brahmaputra civilization and ahom Dynasty !!
A proposed world heritage site, depicting rich culture of Ahom Dynasty. Must visit place for people who enthusiast about culture and history.
Charaideo is the sacred burial ground of the Ahom monarchs. Ahoms traditionally buried their dead. The tombs of the Ahom Kings and Queens at Charaideo hillock are comparable to the Pyramids of Egypt. The kings and queens were remains were preserved here with great customs and rituals. Located 30 km from the Sibsagar town towards east and at the foothills of Nagaland, and was the burial Ground for royal members and nobles for long 380 years from 1228 A.D. to 1706 A.D. The place is huge and the landscape is dotted with mounds or Maidams. The Maidams are the burial mounds of the Ahom kings, queens, and nobles. The word Maidam is derived from the Thai word Phrang mai-dam or mai-tam. Phrang mai means to put into the grave or to bury, and dam means the spirit of the dead. Though Maidams are found in all the districts of Upper Assam, Charaideo, the first capital of the Ahoms was the necropolis of almost all the Ahom Royals. The exterior facade of the Maidams is hemispherical in shape. A Maidam consists of three major features: a massive vault or chamber, a hemispherical earthen mound covering the chamber with a brick structure over it and an octagonal boundary wall around the base of the mound having an arched gateway on its west. As per the description by ASI at the site : "THESE LOFTY MAIDAMS ARE THE BURIAL MOUNDS OF THE AHOM KINGS AND NOBLES. THE AHOMS FOLLOWED A UNIQUE MORTUARY PRACTICE TO BURY THEIR DEAD KINGS AND NOBLES IN COFFIN AND AN EARTHEN MOUND OF PYRAMIDAL SHAPE WAS RAISED OVER IT. THESE MAIDANS ARE HEMISPHERICAL IN SHAPES AND VARY IN SIZES DEPENDING UPON THE POWER AND STATUS OF THE BURIED INDIVIDUAL THE HEMISPHERICAL MOUND IS USUALLY BOUNDED BY AN OCTAGONAL ENCLOSURE WALL WITH AN ENTRANCE ON THE WESTERN SIDE AND AT THE TOP OF THE MOUND GENERALLY OCCURS A BRICK BUILT STRUCTURE SOME OF THE BIG MADAMS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH GADADHAR SINGHA (AD 1681 - C6 )RUDRA SINGHA (AD 1696 - 1714) SUPERINTENDENT ARCHEOLOGIST ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA "
Charaideo Maidam is a group of tombs or mounds located in Sivasagar district of Assam, India. It was the capital of the Ahom Kingdom from 1228 to 1706 AD. The Charaideo Maidam consists of 30 burial mounds of Ahom kings and queens, which are believed to have been constructed between the 13th and 17th centuries. The tombs are made of bricks and are in the shape of a dome, with a height ranging from 30 to 50 feet.Charaideo Maidam is considered an important historical site in Assam and is a popular tourist destination. The tombs are surrounded by lush green tea gardens and offer a picturesque view. The site is also known for its peaceful atmosphere and is considered a sacred place by the Ahom people. Visitors to Charaideo Maidam can explore the different tombs and learn about the history of the Ahom Kingdom. The site is also home to a museum that showcases various artifacts and relics from the Ahom era. Overall, Charaideo Maidam is a must-visit destination for history buffs and anyone interested in learning about Assam's rich cultural heritage.
