About the Neo-Vaishnavite Movement — Sankardeva, Madhavdeva and the Faith of Assam
The Neo-Vaishnavite movement of Assam was founded by Srimanta Sankardeva, who was born in 1449 AD at Bordowa (near Alipukhuri) in present-day Nagaon district. His father was Kusumber Bhuyan and his mother Satyasandhya; after his mother's death he was brought up by his grandmother Khersuti. Sankardeva founded the faith known as Eka Sharana Naam Dharma — the religion of single refuge in the Name of God — and he died in 1568 AD at Bheladanga, in the Koch kingdom near Cooch Behar.
His chief disciple was Madhavdeva (born 1489 AD at Letekupukhuri near Narayanpur, Nagaon; died 1596 AD at Bheladanga). Madhavdeva was originally a follower of Shakti (Shakta) worship and embraced Vaishnavism at the age of 32. He became the head of the movement after Sankardeva's death in 1568 and composed the Naam Ghosha, its devotional masterpiece. Sankardeva himself composed the Kirtan-ghosha, the Gunamala (his last work, written in the Koch kingdom), the Assamese adaptation of the Bhagavata, and works such as the Harishchandra-upakhyana and Rukmini-harana. The devotional songs called Borgeets were composed by both Sankardeva and Madhavdeva.
The movement created lasting institutions and art forms. Sankardeva founded the first Satra at Bordowa, where he also staged the first Ankiya Naat, the Chihna-yatra. The Namghar became the prayer house and the Satra the Vaishnavite monastery and centre of worship. From the Satras grew Sattriya dance, later recognised as a classical dance of India by the Sangeet Natak Akademi. After Sankardeva and Madhavdeva the Satras were grouped into four Samhatis — Brahma (associated with Damodardeva), Purusha (Gopal Ata), Nika (Mathuradasa) and Kala. The movement rejected image worship and animal sacrifice and opened the path of devotion to all, including women and low castes.
Main Facts about the Neo-Vaishnavite Movement (Quick Revision Bullets)
- Sankardeva: born 1449 AD at Bordowa (Alipukhuri), Nagaon; died 1568 AD at Bheladanga.
- Madhavdeva: born 1489 AD at Letekupukhuri; died 1596 AD at Bheladanga; chief disciple.
- Parents of Sankardeva: Kusumber Bhuyan and Satyasandhya; raised by grandmother Khersuti.
- Religion founded: Eka Sharana Naam Dharma.
- Sankardeva's works: Kirtan-ghosha, Gunamala (last work, in the Koch kingdom), Bhagavata adaptation, Harishchandra-upakhyana, Rukmini-harana.
- Madhavdeva's work: Naam Ghosha.
- Borgeets: by Sankardeva and Madhavdeva.
- First Satra: Bordowa. First drama: Chihna-yatra, staged at Bordowa.
- Namghar: prayer house; Satra: Vaishnavite monastery; Ankiya Naat: one-act devotional drama.
- Sattriya dance: recognised as a classical dance by the Sangeet Natak Akademi.
- Four Samhatis: Brahma (Damodardeva), Purusha (Gopal Ata), Nika (Mathuradasa), Kala.
- Rejected: image worship and animal sacrifice; devotion open to all, including women and low castes.
Why the Neo-Vaishnavite Movement Matters for Assam Competitive Exams
Sankardeva and Madhavdeva are the central figures of Assamese culture, so this topic appears in history, culture and general-knowledge papers. Examiners ask birth and death years, birthplaces, the names of works and their authors (Kirtan-ghosha and Gunamala by Sankardeva, Naam Ghosha by Madhavdeva), the meaning of Eka Sharana Naam Dharma, the Satra-Namghar system, the four Samhatis and their preceptors, and the classical art forms — Borgeet, Ankiya Naat and Sattriya dance. The link between the Moamara Satra and the later Moamoria rebellion is also frequently tested.
How to Prepare the Neo-Vaishnavite Movement for Assam Exams
- Memorise the dates. Sankardeva 1449-1568; Madhavdeva 1489-1596; both died at Bheladanga.
- Separate the works. Sankardeva: Kirtan-ghosha, Gunamala, Bhagavata; Madhavdeva: Naam Ghosha.
- Learn the institutions. Satra (monastery), Namghar (prayer house), Ankiya Naat (one-act drama).
- Remember the four Samhatis and their preceptors.
- Connect the art forms. Borgeet, Ankiya Naat and Sattriya dance all grew from this movement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded the Neo-Vaishnavite movement in Assam and what was it called?
Srimanta Sankardeva founded the movement and called it Eka Sharana Naam Dharma, the religion of single refuge in the Name of God.
Who was Madhavdeva and what is his great work?
Madhavdeva was the chief disciple of Sankardeva, born in 1489 and died in 1596. He became head of the movement after 1568 and composed the Naam Ghosha.
What are the Satra, Namghar and Ankiya Naat?
A Satra is a Vaishnavite monastery and centre of worship, a Namghar is the prayer house, and an Ankiya Naat is a one-act devotional drama. The first such drama was the Chihna-yatra.
What are the four Samhatis of the Vaishnavite Satras?
The four Samhatis are Brahma (associated with Damodardeva), Purusha (Gopal Ata), Nika (Mathuradasa) and Kala.
Which classical dance of India developed from this movement?
Sattriya dance, which developed in the Satras and was recognised as a classical dance of India by the Sangeet Natak Akademi.