The Vaisnava Faith and Movement in Assam, 1449 A.D.-1826 A.D.

This book is a comprehensive account of The Vaisnava Faith and Movement in Assam propagated by Sankaradeva in Assam. Here the author presents a critical estimate of the philosophical aspects, tenets and practices of the new order, neo-Vaisnavism. The lives and personalities of the great disciples of Sankaradeva like Madhavadeva, Damodaradeva and Harideva are being narrated here with their apostolates and sattras. It brings into light how and why the acceptance of Hinduism by the Ahom kings and nobles was responsible for the socio-political unrest in the kingdom in the last three decades of the 18 century (1769-94). The author describes two great institutions of the Order-Sattra and Namghar in elaborate details. The emergence of the significant role by the sattradhikaras of the four sanghatis (sub-sects with in the Order) described in a lucid style. The author discusses at length the conflict of the Vaisnavas with the old priesthood and its impact on the political front which led to the Mayamora rebellion, the greatest blow to the mighty Ahom power of over six centuries. During this period the strength of their administration started decaying. The final blow for its complete downfall came by the Burmese invasions, starting from 1816 onwards and ultimately ended up in the annexation of independent Assam to the British empire on 24 the February, 1826, through the treaty of Yandaboo.