Religious Beliefs and Practices under the Koch Kings of Darrang in Assam (1616-1826): An Analytical Study

Abstract

The Koch Kingdom of Darrang in Assam was an abode of different ethnic tribes and castes with their own religious beliefs and thoughts. The people of the Kingdom practiced all the social rites without any restriction. There was no religious discontentment in spite of so many religious sects subsisting side by side. During the period our study, neo-Vaishnavism spread every nook and corner of the region and tribal communities entered the fold of a caste society. The royal family of Darrang was hard-core Sakta by faith, primarily worshipped the deities of Durga and Monasa.  Siva cult was practiced by all sections of the Hindu and non-Hindu people in the kingdom. Nathism was also a popular religious belief which was prevailing at that time. Besides these major cults, there were also certain minor cults which were practiced in Darrang during that period. Among them, goddess Dharmasitala i.e. the goddess of pox, was very popular amongst the womenfolk of Darrang. This paper is an effort to an analytical study of the popular religious beliefs and practices which were prevailing during the reign of Koch Kings.