ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF SATRAS IN ASSAM

Abstract

Satras are the indispensable part of cultural and religious lives of the people in Assam. Besides that, some Satras have also played dominant role in the political history of the State. It is a product of Neo-Vaishnavite movement propagated by Saint Sankardev, the revered 15^th-16^th century-polymath from the region. Through Satras, Sankardev tried to unite the society with the values and ideals of Vaishnavism. Thus, Satras became a major public institution.