Published Paper Details:

Abstract: The Bhakti Movement popularly called in Assam as Vaishnavite Movement was launched by Sankardeva (1449-1568AD) and his disciple Madhavdeva (1489-1596AD) in the 16th century. They gave Assam Vaishnavism a new interpretation and its distinctive character. The movement headed by Sankardeva was not only a religious reform movement, but also a great socio-cultural revolution of Assam. After passing away of Sankardeva in 1568AD, four panth came to Assam Vaishnavism and subsequently it got divided in to four main panth which is known as Sanghati. This paper has been attempted to study the history of the Vaishnavism in the post- Sankardeva period. In the conclusion of the paper it is revealed that it was the ideological differences for which Vaishnavism of Assam got divided. In spite of this division, the Sanghatis played very pivotal role in spreading and stabilizing the Vaisnavite Movement in Assam. The panth established a network of Satras throughout the entire Brahmaputra Valley, and practically converted more than half of its population to Vaishnavism.