Charaideo: The Land of Ahoms

This is the story of the district Charaideo, a city that speaks of the wonderful and prosperous kingdom of Ahom. A region that was once fluttering with cultural and political activity, has now become a historically rich district in Assam.

The Charaideo district (Source: Wikipedia)

Some regions are more than just geographical space. They hold an entire treasure of stories, myths and rich heritage within their borders. One such land that is filled with stories of years bygone is Charaideo.

Located around 400 kilometres from Guwahati, Charaideo district is located in the state of Assam. The name originated from the Tai-Ahom term Che Rai Doi or Doi Che Rai which translates to the term 'the shining city of the hills'. It eventually became Charaideo, an Assamese word.

Chaolung Sukapha, the first Ahom king, established the region of Charaideo. The community came from the present-day Yunan province of China. Even before his reign, the city was a sacred place of worship for various tribes. In 1253, Charaideo became the capital of the Ahom kingdom.

The Ahom kingdom was very unstable in terms of the region it occupied, but even then, Charaideo remained at the centre of political and cultural activity. It was a hub, teeming with people who hoped to make a fortune under the well-off reign of the Ahom dynasty. It spanned the entire Brahmaputra region and had its roots in the state of Assam.

The much-famed maidams, also dubbed as 'the Pyramids of Assam' are located in this district. They are a testament to the brilliant skills of the people that occupied that region. The area is filled with beautiful grassy landscapes. There are other fascinating ruins and ancient relics to be explored in the region.

Buranjis, the chronicles of the Ahoms, refer to the treasures that the people of the kingdom possessed. Mir Jumla plundered the riches of the kingdom, especially those in the maidams. Even local people often stole from the valuable possessions of the maidams.

The Ahom Kingdom had a very convoluted history, filled with architectural wonders and cultural vivacity. It flourished and prospered during its peak period. But its decline was brought around when the Mughals and eventually the Britishers started spreading their influence over the region. The kingdom went into a steep decline, and eventually, all that was left behind was a rich history.

On 15 August 2015, Charaideo was officially recognized as a new district. Even as Charaideo moves towards a new designation, it still brims with a rich heritage that is a treasure for anyone to explore. Recently, there have been talks about converting the Charaideo maidams into a protected heritage site. It is safe to say that the streets of Charaideo will continue to narrate the tales of the Ahom kingdom for a long time to come.