Srimanta Sankardev, can be credited with giving shape to the Assamese society as we see today.

On his death anniversary today (৩ ভাদ ১৪২৭); here’s a thread on the life and times of the saint, socio-religious reformer & scholar.

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#SrimantaSankardev #AssamStories

Sankardev, was born into a family of ‘Baro-Bhuyans’ (Independent cheftians) at Alipukhuri near Bordowa in present-day Nagaon district of Assam in 1449. He lost both parents early on and was raised by his grandmother.

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He attended Mahendra Kandali's 'tol' at the age of 12 and stayed till late teens. It was here, he composed ‘karatala kamala’ a complete poem sans vowels; one of his first verses. (English Translation: https://rb.gy/unciws )

Kandali eventually named him 'Sankardev'

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Sankardev did become the ‘Shiromani’, chief of his area for a brief period of time. But after the death of his wife; he undertook a 12 year long pilgrimage along with Mahendra Kandali & 16 others, which transformed him into the ‘guru’ that he eventually became.

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Sankardev moved to Dhuwahat, near Ahatguri (Majuli) later, where he met his spiritual successor Madhavdev.

‘Eksarana’ has started to take shape by then and induction of Madhavdev, was a significant event. Here he managed to charm wider attention, acceptance and popularity.

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Sankardev undertook a second pilgrimage in 1550 with a large group of 117 disciples that including Madhavdev. The details of this trip and route are a bit ambiguous but it included Puri & Vrindavan and lasted around 6 months.

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The neo-bhakti movement of medieval India did have profound impact on Sankardev. A contemporary of Guru Nanak, Kabir & Chaitaniya; the philosophical ideas of Sankaradev and his methods contributed widely in the process of social formation in medieval Assam.

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Sankardev’s ‘Eksarana’ movement played a very substantial role in construction of the greater Assamese society. It cut deep into the fabric of the Assamese society and went beyond all barriers of castes and tribes.

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The earliest attempts to bring all tribes, castes and classes was made by Sankardev himself who accepted, Govinda (Garo), Paramananda (Mishing), Narahari (Ahom), Narouttam (Naga), Joyram (Bhutiya) & Candsai (Muslim) as his disciples.

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The movement gave shape to the Assamese language & overall cultural structure of the region. Social institutions like Namghars and Satras democratized the social life thereby instrumental in development of the political & cultural life of the people.

EOT