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 renowned historian Professor Jogendra Nath Phukan conducted an extensive visit to Sumsi village in Deomali sub-division of Tirap district, Arunachal Pradesh, on Friday.
The delegation, accompanied by Arunachal Pradesh Minister of Environment & Forest, Geology, Mining & Minerals Wangki Lowang, examined an ancient Maidam in the village believed to date back to the glorious Ahom era.
A Maidam or Moidam is an earthen mound of stones raised over a grave or graves, a burial tradition traditionally 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.
Noted Assam historian Surya Kumar Bhuyan in his seminal work “Assam Buranji” specifically 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,” Professor Phukan told the media during the visit.
The delegation, accorded a warm and cordial welcome by villagers led by Raja Wanglok Lowang, interacted extensively with local residents and collected various facts and oral histories preserved by the community over centuries.
In order to establish the historical veracity of the supposedly 364-year-old site, Professor Phukan and his team documented villagers’ testimonies and examined the physical characteristics of the Maidam, laying groundwork for future archaeological and historical research.
Minister Wangki Lowang expressed gratitude to Professor Phukan and his team for undertaking this important historical expedition. “Today’s visit will unfold a glorious chapter of Ahom history in Arunachal Pradesh,” he stated.
The minister also stressed the urgent need for systematic documentation of oral histories and traditions. “We need to document all the facts which had been going on orally for several years and centuries now,” Lowang said, highlighting concerns about preserving intangible cultural heritage before it is lost to time.
Prof JN Phukan
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, potentially reshaping understanding of regional history and cultural connections in Northeast India.
The findings from this survey are expected to contribute valuable insights to ongoing historical research on Ahom expansion and cultural influence in the eastern Himalayan region.
