Situated 28 KM. east of Sivsagar, Charaideo was the first capital of the Ahoms founded by Sukapha (CE1228-56) who migrated from Mong-Mao or Mong Mao Ling, a south-west province of China.. The locality is famous for the maidams, the literal meaning of which is burial mound.
Architecturally it comprises of a massive underground vault with one or more chambers having domical superstructure and covered by a heap of earthen mound appearing like a hemispherical mound. At the top of the mound a small open pavilion chow-chali is provided. An octagonal dwarf wall encloses the whole maidam. The Ahoms preferred to place the departed family members at Charaideo where the first king Sukapha was laid to rest. The historical chronicles inform that wives, attendants, pet animals and huge quantity of valuables were buried with the departed kings.
Recent excavation of Maidam No. 2 has yielded a massive brick built structure of the maidam covered by huge heaps of earth over the structure. An octagonal enclosure wall is exposed during the course of excavation. Fragmentary remains of ivory and wooden objects are recovered from the inner chamber of the maidam.
|
Fig: Group of four Maidams,Charaideo,Dist-Sivasagar,Assam