Dibrugarh: In a groundbreaking initiative to explore and document historical sites associated with the ancient Ahoms and the Noctes, a delegation led by Padmashree awardee and historian Prof. Jogendra Nath Phukan conducted a visit to Sumsi village in Deomali sub-division of Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap district on Friday.The delegation, accompanied by Arunachal Pradesh minister of environment & forest, geology, mining & minerals Wangki Lowang, examined a Maidam in the village believed to date back to the Ahom era.
A Maidam or Moidam is an earthen mound of stones raised over a grave or graves, a burial tradition followed by the Ahoms. The Maidam at Sumsi holds particular historical significance as it is believed to be the burial site of Ahom king Swargadeo Joydhaj Singh’s mother (Rajmao), who died at Namsang during the invasion of Mir Jumla in 1662. Assam historian Surya Kumar Bhuyan in his seminal work ‘Assam Buranji’ mentioned this historical event, lending credence to local oral traditions that have been passed down through generations in Sumsi village.“We have come to this site to survey the location about which mention has been made in the history books of Assam. Today’s survey might be the real first step towards discovering a great historical bondage between the Ahoms and Noctes in the past,” Prof. Phukan told the media during the visit.The delegation, accorded a cordial welcome by villagers led by Raja Wanglok Lowang, interacted with local residents and collected various facts and oral histories preserved by the community over centuries.The visit represents a significant step in establishing concrete historical links between the Ahom kingdom of Assam (1228 to 1826) and the Nocte tribes of Arunachal Pradesh.
