Assamese Brahmins are the Brahmins present in the Assamese society. There they promoted learning, Vedic religion, astrology, ayurveda and as well as imparting general vedic knowledge to the public.[4] The Brahmins migrated to Assam from Videha (Mithila), Kannauj, Bengal and many other places.[5]
_by_Sophie_Charlotte_Belnos,_digitally_enhanced_by_rawpixel-com_21.jpg){kind=tracking} A Brahmin priest performing daily prayers | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Assam, India | |
| Languages | |
| Assamese | |
| Religion | |
 Hinduism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Kanyakubja Brahmin, Maithil Brahmin, Utkala Brahmin, Bahun, Bengali Brahmins, Saraswat Brahmins, Kulin Brahmins |
History
The earliest historical evidence of settlement of Brahmins in Assam comes from epigraphic sources of the Varman dynasty (350–650).[6] In the late medieval period beginning with the early 16th century, a number of Brahmins from Mithila, Benaras, Kanauj, Bengal and Puri (Srikshetra), were settled in western Assam by the Koch kings for performing Brahminical rites.[7][8][9] During the reign of Nara Narayan (1554-1587) of the Koch dynasty, two Brahmins named Siddhantavagisa and Vidyavagisa were brought from Gauda and Siddhantavagisa was responsible for the spread of Hinduism in the Koch kingdom[10] Even during the reign of Koch king Prannarayana (1633-1655), Brahmins were brought from Mithilia to serve in the Koch kingdom[11] and this process was later continued by the Ahom state especially under the Tungkhungia Ahom kings with Siva Singha donating 19 out of the 48 landgrants by the Ahom kings to Brahmins.[12] The migration of Brahmins into Assam took place from Central Himalayas as well.[13] Most of these migration took place due to the foreign invasions in North India and on the invitation by the local rulers.[14] Traditionally these Brahmins held the highest positions in society.[15]
Tradition and culture
Lagundeoni/Upanayana
Traditionally, the ceremony of Lagundeoni – one of the samskaras or rites of passage marking acceptance of a student by a guru, is a quite prevalent ritual within the community.[16]
Death rituals
Brahmins of the Assam valley follow a different death ritual as opposed to the other indigenous communities in Assam. A religious rite, known as Caturthā is performed on the 4th day of a person's demise unlike Tiloni, performed on the 3rd day of person's demise by non–Brahmin indigenous communities.[17]
Lifestyle
Although in general Brahmins observe all the customary rituals, they appear usually less rigid[18] in some of their traditional lifestyle choices, such as they may eat meat, fish, unlike their counterparts in other parts of India like the North and the South.[19] Other Brahmins in India view Assamese Brahmins as polluted and impure.[20]
Present
The Brahmins constitute one of the Forward classes of Assam based on the classifications of Government of India, although the recent trend on economic condition has not been very well within the community. Assam's former Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi announced setting up of development councils for several communities in the state, including Brahmins.[21]
See also
Notes
References
Published-sources
- Witzel, Michael (1993), "Towards a History of the Brahmins", Journal of the American Oriental Society, 113 (2), American Oriental Society: 264–268, doi:10.2307/603031, JSTOR 603031
- Shin, Jae-Eun (2010). "Yoni, Yoginīs and Mahāvidyās: Feminine Divinities from Early Medieval Kāmarūpa to Medieval Koch Behar, Studies in History". Studies in History. 26 (1): 1–29. doi:10.1177/025764301002600101. S2CID 155252564.
- Adhikary, Madhab. (2018), "Development of Saiva Cult in Koch Kingdom Under Maharaja Biswa Singha (1496-1540).", Uttar Prasanga, 12 (3–4): 25–31
- Das, Sneha (2014). "Engraved Histories: A Study of Legend of Naraka and Political Legitimacy in the Kamarupa Region". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 75. Indian History Congress: 153–159. ISSN 2249-1937. JSTOR 44158374.
- Sheikh, Amiruzzaman (2012). "The 16th century Koch kingdom: Evolving patterns of sanskritisation". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 73: 249–254. ISSN 2249-1937. JSTOR 44156212.
- Barua, Preeti (2000). Nalinibala Devi. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 9788126009169.
- Dikshit, K. R.; Dikshit, Jutta K. (2013). North-East India: Land, People and Economy. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 9789400770553.
- Bose, Manilal (1989). Social History of Assam: Being a Study of the Origins of Ethnic Identity and Social Tension During the British Period, 1905-1947 – Pre–British History and Society. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 9788170222248.
- Patra, S. C. (2011). Socio-economic profile of Rural India (series II) – Roots. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 9788180697241.
- Sarma, Anjali (1990). Among the Luminaries in Assam: A Study of Assamese Biography. Mittal Publications. ISBN 9788170992073.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - Shin, Jae-Eun (2021). "Sword and Words: A Conflict Between Kings and Brahmins in the Bengal Frontier, Kāmatāpur 15th-16th Centuries". Journal of the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums. 3. Government of West Bengal: 21–36.