Rampant encroachment marks the fil resting place of Ahom morchs
BY OUR STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI, Dec 18: Situated at a distance of 28 kms from Sivasagar, Charaideo Maidam is one of the most important historical sites of Assam. It was here at Charaideo that Tai prince Chow-Lung Sui-Ka-Pha laid the foundation of the great Ahom dysty and established his kingdom in 1228 AD. According to popular belief, the Ahom morchs ruled Assam from Charaideo for 129 years out of the glorious 600 years of its rule. The members of the then Ahom royal families including Sui-Ka-Pha, who died in that period, were also buried at Charaideo.
The place is not only a tourist attraction, but also very significant in terms of historical studies. Charaideo Maidam is believed to be the epicentre of Ahom rule. The maidams (tombs) of the kings and queens can be likened to the ancient Egyptian pyramids. The Ahom dysty had roots in some of the countries of South-East Asia, sharing a common past.
But despite its great significance for the people of the State, Charaideo Maidam is on the verge of losing its importance due to the neglect of the previous Assam government as well as the Archeological Survey of India (ASI). The State Revenue department has till date failed to demarcate the Maidam's actual area, which has resulted in rampant encroachment of its land since long.
According to available government records, Charaideo Maidam's total land area is 578 bighas, 2 kathas and 10 lessas — but 32 bighas, 3 kathas and 10 lessas of this land has been encroached upon. Local people, however, have said the extent of Maidam's land so far encroached upon is much higher than stated in official records.
Constant encroachment of the Maidam's land has been allegedly taking place at the behest of a large tea company and some small tea growers in the district. The tea company and small tea growers have not only set up tea gardens adjacent to the Maidam, but have also constructed several small houses and bungalows on the tombs, thus reducing historical importance of the site to a great extent. Although domestic and foreign tourists often visit Charaideo Maidam to have a glimpse of the fil resting place of Ahom morchs, they return disappointed because the place no longer generates the kind of historical interest for which it has been famous for.
Recently, zira Revenue Circle officials urged the Director, Land Records to provide them with modern technical know-how for measuring the area of the Maidam. The officials stated they find it technically difficult to measure the whole Maidam due to its hill-like setting. Due to non-demarcation of the Maidam, the rate of encroachment of its land is increasing with each passing day.
The Maidam has two parts — one part is with the State government and another part with the ASI. Almost 16 years back, the ASI undertook the task of digging up one of the maidams. The excavation-cum-beautification project was initiated to find out historical facts pertaining to the glorious Ahom era. Some skulls, rings, coins, earthen pots, etc. were found during the excavation. All those objects were supposed to be displayed at the Maidam premises for attracting tourists. But that proposed initiative was never followed up by the ASI in later years. All those historical artifacts recovered from one of the maidams are now kept with the Tai Sangrahalaya in Sivasagar.
Charaideo Maidam was also once in the news for its chances of being selected in the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site list, but the ground reality is that no initiative was taken by the previous government to meet the parameters set by the world body to get the nod.
'Buranji Prashiddha Charaideo Sanrakkhan Aaru Unyan Mancha' president Pradip Konwar, general secretary Atul Rajkonwar and secretary Prasun Rajkonwar said, "We approached the previous State government several times for the preservation of Charaideo Maidam, but they didn't pay heed to our requests. When Mikshi Sundaram was the deputy commissioner of Sivasagar district, some steps were taken by the DC towards the preservation of this historical site, but it came to a halt after Sundaram's transfer."
"This year Sui-Ka-Pha Divas was centrally observed by the State government at Charaideo Maidam. The Purvanchal Tai Xahitya Xabha's conference will also be held here this time. We sincerely hope that the present BJP-led government in the State will take some concrete steps for the preservation of this historical site," said Prasun Rajkonwar, adding, "The origil area of Charaideo Maidam was 7,064 bighas."
It is a matter of great concern that very little has been done till date to give Charaideo the status of a well-equipped tourist spot. A major portion of the Maidam is now overgrown with shrubs and tall grasses. The area is cleaned up by the district administration only on occasion of Sui-Ka-Pha Divas. It is up to the authorities to stop this monumental neglect, otherwise Charaideo Maidam will be a lost paradise.