To know more such amazing stories from Indian history, click the bell icon and subscribe to live history in India. These mountains and monuments are a throwback to an important era in the history of a Sam when the Ahom's ruled here. The Ahoms were one of the longest reigning kingdoms of India. In fact the name Asam comes from the word Asama meaning invincible which is a local name for the Ahoms. The Ahom Kingdom which included most of the present day Asam was ruled by them for 600 years from the 13th to the 19th century. Chaulong Sukapa, a Thai prince was the founder of the Ahom Kingdom. He left Mung Mao a province in present day China with his army and followers and arrived in the Bremaputra Valley in the 13th century. Sukapa established the Ahom Kingdom in 1228 CE and established its first capital at Charaideo in 1253. Even though the capital moved to other places over the course of 600 years of rule, Charaideo remained the symbol of Ahom Power. The Ahoms like ancient Egyptians believed in life after death. They built commemorative structures for the dead like their very own pyramids though theirs were hemispherical in shape. The Ahom kings, queens, princes and princesses were buried along with their possessions in Maitams or Mouns like these. The word Maitam is derived from the Thai word Frang Maitam or Maitam which means to put into the grave or bury the spirit of the dead. The earliest Maitam constructed in Charaideo was that of the first Ahom King Sukapa who died in 1268 CE. The Ahoms were known for their impressive political might and administrative prowess. But it was in just this that made them formidable. They were also considered master builders. Many great medieval monuments in the plains of Northeastern India are credited to them. Some of the standout Ahom structures are at Sivisagar, the Ahom capital from 1699 to 1788 CE. These consist of the Karengar, a palace, Rangar and amphitheatre, the Talatalgar or a military station and the Shivaadol temple. King Surahimfa or Swargadev Rajeshwarsingha, after his coronation in 1751 CE, rebuilt the Grand Kurengar palace after the old palace was destroyed. It had an audience hall where the king would address people. Of all Ahom ruins, the Karengar palace is one of the grandest examples of Ahom architecture. Surahimfa also built the Talatalgarh situated on the bank of the Dikhao River. However, many believe it was built by his father Rudra Singhha and was originally a palace bit of wood. This was later replaced by the present military structure. Another great monument built by the Ahoms and perhaps the most famous is the Rangargarh. This was also built during the reign of Rudra Singhha and was originally made of wood and bamboo. It was later rebuilt in bricks by Swargadev Paramatta Singhha between 1744 and 1750 CE. This monument was used as a royal sports pavilion where kings and nobles watched games like buffalo fights. The Rangarh is believed to be one of the oldest surviving amphitheaters in Asia. Shiva Sagar Shiva Dole Temple is another great example of Ahom architecture. This temple complex consists of three Hindu temples of Shiva Dole, Vishnu Dole and Devi Dole Shrines. These temples were built in 1734 by Bar Raja Ambhika, the queen of Ahom kings Swargadev Singhha. Over a course of time, the much-to-weekend Ahom kingdom fell to the repeated Burmese attacks and it was finally annexed by the British East India Company in 1826. This ended the 600 year old rule of Ahoms in Assam. It is only these monuments that stand upright even today which speak of the grandeur of this one's great kingdom.