Which one of the following statements with regard to the Moidams, built by the Tai-Ahom kingdom and inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is/are correct ? 1. They acted as army fortresses. 2. They were recreation centres of the Royals and Nobles. 3. They were burial grounds of the Royals and Nobles. 4. They were battle drill centres of the Royals and Nobles. Select the answer using the code given below :
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 3
- (c) 3 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) 2 and 4
Why the answer is (c)
• The Moidams at Charaideo, Assam, were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024 — India's 43rd, and the first cultural site from the North-east.
• Moidams are the mound-burial vaults of the Tai-Ahom kings and nobility (13th–19th century): a hollow brick or stone vault covered by an earthen hemispherical mound, topped by a small shrine (chow chali).
• Charaideo, the first Ahom capital founded by Sukaphaa, holds about 90 such royal burials and is often compared with the Egyptian pyramids.
• They were sacred funerary monuments, not fortresses, recreation grounds or drill centres; statements 1, 2 and 4 are wrong.
• Hence 3 only, option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Moidams were burial mounds, not army fortresses.
- (b) 1 and 3
- Statement 1 is wrong; only the burial function (3) is correct.
- (d) 2 and 4
- Moidams were neither recreation centres nor drill grounds.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026, held on 24 May 2026. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.