India has formally submitted the historic Rangpur-Sivasagar Ensemble for UNESCO World Heritage status, highlighting the Ahom dynasty’s six-century rule and Assam’s rich architectural heritage
Guwahati: The Rangpur-Sivasagar Ensemble, the historic capital of the Ahom dynasty in Assam, has been formally submitted for UNESCO World Heritage status, marking a major step towards global recognition of the state’s heritage.
India submitted the nomination on June 19, 2026, under UNESCO criteria (iii) and (iv). The ensemble represents the political and cultural centre of the Ahom dynasty, which ruled the Brahmaputra Valley for nearly six centuries.
The historic complex houses Ahom-era temples, palaces, water tanks and engineering structures. Its prominent landmarks include the Rang Ghar, regarded as one of Asia’s oldest surviving amphitheatres.
The nomination builds on UNESCO’s 2024 recognition of the Charaideo Moidams. Together, the two sites showcase different aspects of Ahom history — Charaideo as the dynasty’s sacred burial ground and Rangpur-Sivasagar as the centre from which it ruled.
The development is seen as an important milestone for Assam’s heritage conservation and international cultural recognition. It also seeks to showcase the architectural and historical legacy of the Ahom period globally.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed the submission and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his efforts to secure global recognition for Assam’s heritage.
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