Dibrugarh: In a path-breaking initiative to explore and document historical sites associated with the ancient Ahoms and the Noctes in the Deomali sub-division of Tirap district in Arunachal Pradesh, a delegation led by Padmashree awardee and noted historian Prof. Jogendra Nath Phukan, along with Arunachal Pradesh Minister for Environment & Forest, Geology, Mining & Minerals and DoTCL, Wangki Lowang, today conducted an extensive visit to Sumsi village.
During the visit, the delegation examined an ancient Maidam in the village which, according to available historical documents, dates back to the glorious Ahom era.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 historically followed by the Ahoms.
It may be mentioned that noted Assam historian Surya Kumar Bhuyan, in his book Assam Buranji, specifically recorded that Swargadeo Joydhaj Singh’s mother (Rajmao) expired at Namsang during the invasion of Mir Jumla in 1662.
The people of Sumsi village believe that the massive earthen mound located there is the burial site of Joydhaj Singh’s mother.
To establish the historical facts surrounding the 335-year-old site, the delegation led by Prof. Phukan interacted with villagers and collected various accounts and details shared before them.
The team was accorded a warm and cordial welcome by the villagers, led by Raja Wanglok Lowang.
Speaking to the media later, Prof. Phukan said that he, along with his delegation, had come to the site to survey the location referred to in Assam’s historical records. He expressed hope that the survey could mark the first concrete step towards uncovering a significant historical bond between the Ahoms and the Noctes in the past.
Thanking Prof. Phukan and his team for the visit, Minister Wangki Lowang said he hoped the exercise would help unfold a glorious chapter of Ahom history in Arunachal Pradesh. He also stressed the urgent need to document historical facts that have been preserved orally for generations and over centuries.
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