Origin and Development of the Satras in Assam: A Study from Historical Perspective

Abstract

The Neo –Vaishnavism Movement, which was initiated by Srimanta Sankaradeva is the most significant socio-cultural and religious phenomenon during the medieval period.The Neo-Vaishnavism movement brought about an intellectual and cultural renaissance in the Assam valley. However, the most notable contribution of the Neo-Vaishnava movement is perhaps the Satra institution which came to emergence at the hands of the great saints, Srimanta Sankardeva and Madhavadeva. The Satra institution is still functioning as a living institution in the Assam Valley. The Satra institution has been an integral part of the Assamese society because it brought a change in socio-cultural and religious life of the Assamese people. Therefore, researcher is an attempt to analyze the origin and development of the Satra institution in Assam. The Paper also aims at analyzing the relationship between The Satra society and culture.