UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 1 July 2026

About Ahom Dynasty:

• The Ahom Dynasty (1228–1826, called Kingdom of Assam in medieval times) was a medieval kingdom in the Brahmaputra valley in Assam that maintained its sovereignty for nearly 600 years and successfully resisted Mughal expansion in North-East India. 
• It was able to establish its suzerainty over the Brahmaputra valley and had a profound effect on the political and social life in the region.
• The Ahom dynasty was established by Sukaphaa, a Shan prince of Mong Mao who came to Assam after crossing the Patkai Mountains.
• Though it came to be called the Ahom kingdom in the colonial and subsequent times, it was largely multi-ethnic, with the ethnic Ahom people constituting less than 10% of the population toward the end. 
• The people of the kingdom used to call them 'Chaopha' or 'Swargadeo'.
• The kingdom came under repeated Mughal attacks in the 17th century, and on one occasion in 1662,the Mughals under Mir Jumla occupied the capital, Garhgaon.
  • The Mughals were unable to keep it, and finally, during the battle of Saraighatin 1671, the Ahomsled by Lachit Borphukan successfully defeated the Mughals.
  • Borphukan is mainly known for his leadership in this battle. 
  • By 1682, the Mughal influence in the region was completely eradicated.
• Following a period of confusion, the kingdom got itself the last set of kings, the Tungkhungia kings,established by Gadadhar Singha.
• The kingdom became weaker with the rise of the Moamoria rebellion, and subsequently fell to a succession of Burmese invasions.
• With the defeat of the Burmeseafter the First Anglo-Burmese War and the Treaty of Yandabo in 1826,control of the kingdompassed into British (East India Company) hands.

What are Moidams of Ahom dynasty?

• The Moidams (also spelt as Maidam) are burial mounds of Ahom kings, queens, and noblesin Assam.
• The name "Moidam" comes from the Tai words "Phrang-Mai-Dam" or "Mai-Tam," meaning to bury and the spirit of the dead.
• These mounds are distinct for their architecture and reflect the Ahom’s foreign influences.
• They are found throughout upper Assam, with Charaideo, the first Ahom capital, being the main necropolis.
• Each Moidam has three main parts:
  • A vault or chamber where the body is placed.
  • A hemispherical earthen mound covering the chamber.
  • A brick structure (Chaw-chali) on top for annual offerings and an octagonal boundary wall with an arched gateway.
• Originally, vaults were made of wooden poles and beams but were replaced with stone and brick during the reign of King Rudra Singha (CE 1696-1714).

Inside the vault, the dead were buried with their belongings, including clothes, ornaments, and weapons.

Q1: What is the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)?

It is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It was founded with the mission of contributing to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through education, science and culture.UNESCO cultural conventions and projects provide platforms for international cooperation and establish a holistic cultural governance system based on human rights and shared values. UNESCO has 193 member States and 11 associate members.

Source: UNESCO adds Assam’s Ahom Dynasty Moidams to World Heritage list

About Rani Durgavati:

• Rani Durgavati (1524-2024) was the descendant of the famous Chandela dynasty of Mahoba and the queen of the Gond kingdom of Garha-Katanga.
• She was born on 5th October 1524 A.D. in the family of famous Chandel emperor Keerat Rai.
  • The Chandel Dynasty is famous in Indian history for the valiant king Vidyadhar, who repulsed the attacks of Mehmood Gaznavi.
  • His love for sculptures is shown in the world famed temples of Khajuraho and Kalanjar Fort. 
• Rani Durgavati was born in Kalinjar (Banda, U.P.), one of the most important forts of medieval India.
• In 1542, she was married to Dalpatshah, the eldest son of King Sangramshah of the Gond Dynasty. Chandel and Gond dynasties got closer as a consequence of this marriage.
• She gave birth to a son in 1545 A.D. who was named Vir Narayan.
• Dalpatshah died in about 1550 A.D. As Vir Narayan was too young at that time, Durgavati took the reins of the Gond kingdom in her hands. 
• Two ministers, Adhar Kayastha and Man Thakur, helped the Rani in looking after the administration successfully and effectively. 
• Rani moved her capital to Chauragarh in place of Singaurgarh. It was a fort of strategic importance situated on the Satpura hill range.
• It is said that trade flourished during this period. Peole were prosperous.
• Like her husband’s predecessors, she extended her territory and accomplished the political unification of Gondwana, also called Garha-Katanga, with courage, generosity, and tact.
• She distinguished herself as a warrior and fought with unvarying success against BazBahadur, the Sultan of Malwa.
• In the year 1562, Akbar vanquished the Malwa ruler Baj Bahadur and annexed the Malwa with Mughal dominion. Consequently, the state boundary of Rani touched the Mughal kingdom.
• She is chiefly remembered fordefending Gondwana against the Mughal Empire. She took on the might of the Mughal Empire with great courage and leadership.
• Though she finally faced defeat at the hands of the Mughal army, she is remembered as a warrior in blood and spirit.

Q1: What is the Gond Dynasty?

The Gond dynasty arose in the Gondwana region of central India around the 13th century CE. Their influence spread from eastern Madhya Pradesh to western Odisha and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. They governed four major kingdoms: Garha-Mandla, Deogarh, Chanda, and Kherla. The Gond rulers held power between the 16th and 18th centuries in present-day Madhya Pradesh.

Source: Madhya Pradesh Cabinet gives nod to Rs 100 crore memorial for Rani Durgavati in Jabalpu