Volume-XII, Issue-V, September 2026 |
The Traditional Economic and Religious Practices of the Satras in Assam: A Historical Study Swarchita Das, Research Scholar, Department of Sankaradeva Studies, Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva Viswavidyalaya, Guwahati Unit, Assam India |
Received: 20.09.2026 | Accepted: 22.09.2026 | Published Online: 30.09.2026 | Page No: 237-241 | ||||
DOI: 10.29032/ijhsss.vol.12.issue.05W.388 | |||||||
ABSTRACT | ||
This research paper deals with the traditional economic and religious practices of the Satras in Assam from a historical perspective. During the Medieval period of Assam, Srimanta Sankaradeva founded the religious faith, Neo-Vaishnavism which is also known as Eka-Sarana-Naama-Dharma, with its primary focus on Bhakti (devotion) to Lord Sri Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He made the religious practices of Neo-Vaishnavism very simple and liberal by making congregational singing (kirtan) and listening (shravan), the main methods of showing Bhakti (devotion) to Lord Sri Krishna, along with associating with him. By aiming to propagate his religious faith, the saint laid the foundation of Satras (central monasteries) and Namghars (community prayer houses) in Medieval Assam. Prior to the colonial period of Assam, the economy of the Satras operated from royal patronage as well as other sources of livelihood, whereas the foremost religious activity of the Satras was Prasanga. This research paper examines the traditional economic practices of the Satras in Assam. It also understands the importance of Prasanga as a traditional religious practice of the Satras in Assam, this research paper adopts a historical and qualitative approach. It is based on Satra visits, secondary sources such as books published by various authors, related historical literature, and online resources. | ||
Keywords: Srimanta Sankaradeva, Satras, Traditional Economic Practices, Traditional Religious Practices, Assam, Historical Study |