Hinduism in Assam

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Hinduism in Assam
অসমত হিন্দু ধৰ্ম
Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati.jpg
Total population
19,180,759 (2011 census)Increase2.svg [1] [2]
(61.47% of population)Decrease2.svg
Languages
Majority
Assamese
Minority
Bengali, Bodo, Karbi, Dimasa, Hindi, Manipuri, Sadri, Mising, Deori, Nepali and others
Religion
Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Assamese Muslims and Assamese Christians

Hinduism is the dominant religion practised in the state of Assam. According to some scholars, it is home to some of the most complex and poorly understood traditions in Hinduism. [3] People follow traditions belonging to Shaivism, Shaktism, Tantra, and an indigenous form of Vaishnavism called Ekasarana Dharma; taken together the practitioners constitute around 61% of the state population as per the 2011 Census. [1] Hindus form a majority in 17 out of the 29 districts of Assam. By region, there is a significant diversity among the ethnic groups that profess the Hindu faith, traditions, and customs. As per as 2011 Census, In Brahmaputra valley of Assam, Hindus constitute 62% of the population, the majority being ethnic Assamese. [4] [5] In the autonomous Bodoland region of Assam, Hindus constitute 71.3% of the region's population, most being of the Bodo tribe. [6] In the Barak valley region of southern Assam, Hindus constitute 50% of the region's population, most being ethnic Bengalis. [7] [8] [9] The Hill Tribes of Assam, particularly the Karbi people of Karbi Anglong and Dimasa people of Dima Hasao, are mainly Animists. [10]

Contents

History

Sankardev, founder of Ekasarna sect of Hinduism Sankaradeva.jpg
Sankardev, founder of Ekasarna sect of Hinduism

Most of the Hindus in Assam belongs to the Ekasarna sect of Vaishnavism which is the dominant faith of the region since its formation from 15th–16th century in Brahmaputra valley, Assam. The Ahom kings during their 600 yrs rule in Assam, have increasingly patronizing Hinduism alongside the proselytizing activities of Ekasarana Dharma since the 16th-century—a large section of the Bodo-Kachari peoples converted to different forms of Hinduism in the 17th–18th century and a composite Assamese consisting of caste-Hindus, tribals began to form. [11] Suhungmung, was the first Ahom king who have converted into Hinduism and adopt a Hindu title, Swarganarayana during that medieval period of ahom rule. But some sources also argue that Jayadhwaj Singha was the first Ahom king who have formally accepted Hinduism. Rudra Singha was the first who announced publicly of his inclination towards Hinduism and consequently later on he became a disciple of a Hindu Brahman priest. [12] [13] The historical roots of the Hindu religion in Assam dates back to at least 4th–7th centuries when Varman dynasty were ruling in the region. Vedic sacrifices such as the Ashvamedha and other Brahmanical rites and rituals were prevalent in this region during that period. However, the Varman kings of Assam came mostly from non-Hindu tribal backgrounds, and the form of Hinduism that developed in the Assam region has long been a complex negotiation link between Sanskritic traditions with indigenous tribal practices and beliefs. [14] Before the arrival of Hindu religion in the fertile valley of Brahmaputra, Majority of ethnic Assamese people practiced an indigenous religion known as Ahom religion, followed by Bodo people who professed Bathouism and various ethnic tribals like : Karbi, Dimasa, Mising and Rabha were practitioners of Animism prior to the coming of Hinduism in the valley. [15] [16]

Dhekiakhowa Bornamghar at Jorhat Dhekiakhowa Bornamghar.jpg
Dhekiakhowa Bornamghar at Jorhat
Sanctorium of the Dakhinpat Sattra in Majuli Dakhinpat Temple.jpg
Sanctorium of the Dakhinpat Sattra in Majuli

The Vaishnavism which is a prominent sect of Hinduism in Assam do not believe in idol worship and perform "Naamkirtan", where the glory of formless Lord Vishnu is recited and chanted. There are two important cultural and religious institutions that influence the religious fabric of Assam: the "Satras", is a site of religious and cultural practice and the "Namghar", the house of prayers where religious people meet and pray together as a community. [17]

Festivals

Bohag bihu

Children celebrating Bohag Bihu Bihu dance huNcr'i.jpg
Children celebrating Bohag Bihu

The first day of Bohag bihu is called "Goru Bihu". Goru means cow. The first day is the bihu of cows and buffaloes. Goru bihu is related to the agricultural roots of Assam in rural areas. The day is dedicated to caring and upkeep of cattle (the wealth generator of farmers). Cows (sacred animal in Hinduism) are bathed and smeared with turmeric and pulses near pond, and are worshiped as part of the festivities by Assamese Hindu agriculturalists throughout Assam. [18]

Ambubachi Mela

Sadhus gathered at Kamakhya Temple for the Ambubachi Mela Ambubachi Mela at Kamakhya Temple by Vikramjit Kakati.jpg
Sadhus gathered at Kamakhya Temple for the Ambubachi Mela

During Ambubachi Mela, hindu sages from all over India came to the temple for doing certain black magic which is known by the local name of "Tantra Mantra". Kamakhya is centre of Tantric worship. [19]

Bathou puja (worship)

The Boro people consider this cactus to be holy. They call it 'Bathow Bwrai' or Lord Shiva. Bathow.jpg
The Boro people consider this cactus to be holy. They call it 'Bathow Bwrai' or Lord Shiva.

Bathow Puja is an important religious festival of the Bodo-Kacharies of Assam, India. In this festival, indigenous bodo people worship a god known by different names like Gila Damra, Khuria Bwrai, Sri Brai (Shib bwrai), Bathow Bwrai etc. Among these festivals, Kherai is the most significant and important. [20]

Temples

Hajo

Hayagriva Madhava Temple, Hajo hy'gr'iir` maadhb mndir', haajo.jpg
Hayagriva Madhava Temple, Hajo

Hajo is a historic town set in the hills northwest of Guwahati, Assam, India. It is a sacred place for Hindus as a pilgrimage site. To the Hindus of Assam and world over, the Manikut Parbat of Hajo is the site of the 10th-century temple ruins and the 11th- to 16th-century temples complex for Vaishnavism as well as shrines of Shaivism and Shaktism.[ citation needed ]

Navagraha Temple, Guwahati (the second most important temple after Kamakhya) Navagraha Temple, Guwahati 01.jpg
Navagraha Temple, Guwahati (the second most important temple after Kamakhya)

Navagraha temple are an important pilgremages sites devoted to Navagraha—the nine (nava) major celestial bodies (Grahas) meaning planets of Hindu astronomy. The temple is made up of stones. These celestial bodies are named Surya means (Sun), Chandra means (Moon), Mangala means (Mars), Budha means (Mercury), Brihaspati means (Jupiter), Shukra means (Venus), Shani means (Saturn), Rahu means (North Lunar Node) and Ketu means (South Lunar Node). Many temples in Southern parts of India contain a shrine dedicated to the Navagrahas (nine planets). However, the term Navagraha temples refers to a cluster of nine separate temples, each an abode of one of the Navagrahas. [21]

Basistha temple

Basistha temple, third most important Hindu temple after Kamakhya and Navagraha temples Basistha Temple, Guwahati.jpg
Basistha temple, third most important Hindu temple after Kamakhya and Navagraha temples

Basistha Temple is located in the south-east corner of Guwahati city, Assam and is a Shaiva mandir. The history of the Basistha Ashram where the temple is located dates back to the Vedic age. According to legend the ashram was founded by the great saint Basistha muni (Vasishtha). [22] Temple in the ashram stands on the bank of the mountain streams originating from the hills of Meghalaya, which becomes the rivers Basistha and Bahini/Bharalu flowing throughout the city. [23]

Umananda temple

Umananda island temple of Assam Umananda Temple-Guwahati-Assam-DSC0001.jpg
Umananda island temple of Assam

"Umananda" the smallest river island is located in the midst of river Brahmaputra flowing through the city of Guwahati in Assam. The British named the island Peacock Island for its structure. This temple is dedicated to Hindu deity Lord Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva created the island for his wife Parvati's happiness and pleasure. Shiva is said to have resided here in the form of Bhayananda. According to a myth in Kalika Purana, Shiva burnt Kamadeva with his third eye on Umananda when he interrupted Shiva's deep meditation, hence the Island is also known as Bhasmachal. Maha Shivaratri is widely celebrated in Umananda. Monday is considered to be the holiest day in the temple and the new moon brings bliss to the hindu pilgrims. [24]

Sukreshwar mandir

Sukreswar Mandir Sukreswar Devalaya.jpg
Sukreswar Mandir

The Sukreswar Temple is an important Shiva temple which was built in 1744 year by Ahom King Pramatta Singha. Leading down from the temple compound is a long flight of steps to the Brahmaputra River from where one can view the picturesque Umananda Island temple, the smallest river Island in the world. The temple is located on the Sukreswar or Itakhuli hill on the south bank of river Brahmaputra in the Panbazar locality of Guwahati city. [25]

Dirgeshwari temple

Image representing Dirgeshwari Mata Mandir Dirgheswari Temple.jpg
Image representing Dirgeshwari Mata Mandir

Dirgheswari Mandir is a temple situated in the northern banks of the river Brahmaputra River in Guwahati, Assam. Many ancient images depicting Hindu deities made on rocks existed along with the temple. Brick temple were made by Ahom king Swargadeo Siva Singha, Dirgheswari temple is considered as a Shakti Peetha for Shakti Worship. The main attraction of Dirgheswari temple is the annual Durga Puja celebrations, in which hindu devotees from far of places come to attend. [26]

Demography

Assam hindu population (1901–2011) [27]
YearState populationHindu PopulationPercentage
19013,289,6802,781,42484.55
19113,848,6173,201,66483.19
19214,636,9803,726,27780.36
19315,560,3714,214,76175.8
19416,694,7904,131,35574.3
19518,028,8565,682,82470.78
196110,837,3297,731,35071.34
197114,625,15210,604,69772.51
198118,041,24812,578,35869.72
199122,414,32215,048,97567.14
200126,655,52817,296,77264.89
201131,205,57619,180,75961.47

A part of Hinduism's percentage decline in Assam is due to lower fertility rates compared to the Muslim population and illegal immigration of Bangladeshis in Assam since from the late 1900s. Assam's total fertility rate is 1.9 according to NFHS-5. The rate is below the replacement rate of 2.1. In NFHS-3, which was conducted in 2005–06, Hindus in Assam had fertility rates of 1.95 respectively. By 2019–20, NFHS-5 showed Hindu fertility rate have fallen to 1.6. [28]

Population by district (2011 year)

Below is a breakdown of the Hindu population by district in the Indian state of Assam according to the 2011 Census of India: [29] Hindus are majority in eighteenth districts out of twenty-nine in Assam. [30] [ incomplete short citation ]

#DistrictTotal populationHindu populationPercentage
1 Baksa 950,075782,90182.4%
2 Barpeta 1,693,622492,96629.11%
3 Bongaigaon 738,804359,14548.61%
4 Cachar 1,736,6171,038,98559.83%
5 Chirang 482,162320,64766.50%
6 Darrang 928,500327,32235.25%
7 Dhemaji 686,133655,05295.47%
8 Dhubri 1,949,258388,38019.92%
9 Dibrugarh 1,326,3351,198,40190.35%
10 Dima Hasao 214,102143,59367.07%
11 Goalpara 1,008,183347,87834.51%
12 Golaghat 1,066,888917,42685.99%
13 Hailakandi 659,296251,19438.1%
14 Jorhat 1,092,2561,008,21992.31%
15 Kamrup 1,517,542877,49557.82%
16 Kamrup Metropolitan 1,253,9381,064,41284.89%
17 Karbi Anglong 956,313766,00080.1%
18 Karimganj 1,228,686521,96242.48%
19 Kokrajhar 887,142529,06859.64%
20 Lakhimpur 1,042,137797,13076.49%
21 Morigaon 957,423451,88247.2%
22 Nagaon 2,823,7681,225,24643.39%
23 Nalbari 771,639491,58263.71%
24 Sivasagar 1,151,0501,007,27787.51%
25 Sonitpur 1,924,1101,422,82473.95%
26 Tinsukia 1,327,9291,181,34788.96%
27 Udalguri 831,668612,42573.64%
28 Hojai 931,218424,06545.53%
29 South Salmara district 249,5084,5891.84%
Assam (Total)31,205,57619,180,75961.47%

Conflict and Tensions

Tensions against Hindu Marwaris

32 local groups in Assam are demanding protection of Assamese rights, seeking to preserve the state's culture and interests. Loud music during Hindu festivals like Holi and BolBom (Bolbam Dham) has been requested to be stopped by the demonstrators, targeting the non-Assamese community and also advocating for 100% job reservation for Assamese people in Dibrugarh district. The groups have also raised other demands to safeguard the rights and identity of the Assamese community. [31]

A 17-year-old girl's alleged assault in Assam's Sivasagar sparked protests against "non-Assamese" business owners, escalating into threats from militant group ULFA(I) and a public apology from Marwari representatives. Two local Marwari businessmen have been arrested in connection with the assault, which fueled resentment against "non-Assamese" residents and business owners. A protest by 30 Assamese nationalist groups began on Monday, shutting down shops and businesses owned by "non-Assamese" residents. A meeting was held on Tuesday, led by State Cabinet Minister Ranoj Pegu, with representatives from both Assamese nationalist and Marwari groups to address the issue. [32]

Decadal growth of Hindus
YearPop.±%
19012,781,424    
19113,201,664+15.1%
19213,726,277+16.4%
19314,214,761+13.1%
19414,131,355−2.0%
19515,682,824+37.6%
19617,731,350+36.0%
197110,604,697+37.2%
198112,578,358+18.6%
199115,048,975+19.6%
200117,296,772+14.9%
201119,180,759+10.9%
Source: Census of India

The Hindu population in Assam have increased from 2.78 million in 1901 to 19.18 million in 2011 census (a growth of 16.4 million in 110 years). [33] Hindus in Assam have a fertility rate of 1.6 in 2019–20. [34] Between (2011–21) year for upcoming 2021 census of India, it was predicted that Hindu growth rate have fallen below 10 percent leading to a population growth of only 20.16 million in 2021 from 19.18 million which was the previous census results of 2011. [35] [36] [37]

Hindu percentage by decades in Assam [33]
YearPercentIncrease
1901
84.55%
-
1911
83.19%
Decrease2.svg -1.36%
1921
80.36%
Decrease2.svg -2.83%
1931
75.8%
Decrease2.svg -4.56%
1941
74.3%
Decrease2.svg -1.5%
1951
70.78%
Decrease2.svg -3.52%
1961
71.34%
Increase2.svg +0.56%
1971
72.51%
Increase2.svg +1.17%
1981
69.72%
Decrease2.svg -2.79%
1991
67.14%
Decrease2.svg -2.58%
2001
64.89%
Decrease2.svg -2.25%
2011
61.47%
Decrease2.svg -3.42%

Assam's Hindu percentage has been steadily decreasing for over a century, though they experienced a slight rebound during the 1960s and 70s. The percentage of Hindus was 84.55% in 1901 and has declined to 61.47% in 2011 census, representing a decline of 23.08% in 110 years. [33] [1] The increase in the Hindu percentage during the period of (1961–1971) was mainly because of im-migration of East Pakistan's Hindu refugees into the state. [38]

Illegal Immigration

As per estimation, around 10 million Bangladeshis (mostly Muslims) are staying illegally in Assam, of which around 2 million among them are Hindus who have entered Assam in droves during (1961-71) period and thereafter staying here, thus today constituting around 6.4 percent of the state population as per 2011 Census. [39] [40] If the illegal population are excluded through National Register of Citizens, then state total population will come down from 31.2 million to 29.2 million, and as a result the Hindu population will also eventually go down from 19.18 million (61.47%) to 17.18 million (55.07%) respectively. [41]

Hindu population by Ethnic Group

Ethnicity of Assam Hindu population (2011 year) [30] [ incomplete short citation ][ citation needed ]
Ethnicity/RaceHindu population
Assamese Caste Hindus (Kayastha, Brahmins and Vaishyas.)2,045,706
Bengali Hindus (Majority in Barak Valley, while significant population also resides in mainland Brahmaputra Valley.)6,026,439
Indigenous Tribal Hindus (Ahom, Bodo, Dimasa, Deori, Chutia, Karbi, Mishing, Hajong, Tea-garden community, Rabha, Deori, Moran, Tiwa etc.)8,192,417
Hindu Immigrants from (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Nepal, Odisha, Punjab & Rajasthan.)2,916,197
Total19,180,759

The Scheduled Tribes of Assam are mainly practitioners of Hindu faith. Of 38.84 lakh Scheduled Tribes counted in Assam in 2011, it was found that 33.50 lakh are Hindus; forming 86.24 percent of the ST population in the state. [42] About 95% of the Ahom tribe, [43] 90% of the Bodo tribe, [44] 83% of the Karbi tribe, [45] [46] [47] 99% of the Dimasa tribe, [10] 94% of Rabha tribe, [48] 97% of Mishing tribe are Hindu by faith. [49]

See also

Related Research Articles

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Assam is a state in northeastern India, south of the eastern Himalayas along the Brahmaputra and Barak River valleys. Assam covers an area of 78,438 km2 (30,285 sq mi). It is the second largest state in northeastern India by area and the largest in terms of population, with more than 31 million inhabitants. The state is bordered by Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh to the north; Nagaland and Manipur to the east; Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram and Bangladesh to the south; and West Bengal to the west via the Siliguri Corridor, a 22-kilometre-wide (14 mi) strip of land that connects the state to the rest of India. Assamese and Boro are the official languages of Assam. Meitei (Manipuri) is recognised as an additional official language in Hojai district and for the Barak Valley region, alongside Bengali, which is also an official language in the Barak Valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bihu</span> Cultural festival of Assam

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boro people</span> Ethnolinguistic group in northeast India

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kamrup district</span> District of Assam in India

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nagaon district</span> District of Assam in India

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Culture of Assam</span> Overview of the culture of Assam, India

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The Assamese people are a socio-ethnic linguistic identity that has been described at various times as nationalistic or micro-nationalistic. This group is often associated with the Assamese language, the easternmost Indo-Aryan language, and Assamese people mostly live in the Brahmaputra Valley region of Assam, where they are native and constitute around 56% of the Valley's population. The use of the term precedes the name of the language or the people. It has also been used retrospectively to the people of Assam before the term "Assamese" came into use. They are an ethnically diverse group formed after centuries of assimilation of Austroasiatic, Tibeto-Burman, Indo-Aryan and Tai populations, and constitute a tribal-caste continuum—though not all Assamese people are Hindus and ethnic Assamese Muslims numbering around 42 lakh (4,200,000) constitute a significant part of this identity. The total population of Assamese speakers in Assam is nearly 15.09 million which makes up 48.38% of the population of state according to the Language census of 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiwa people (India)</span> Ethnic group of north-eastern India

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chutia people</span> Ethnic group from Assam, northeast India

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Assam – 16th largest, 15th most populous and 26th most literate state of the 28 states of the democratic Republic of India. Assam is at 14th position in life expectancy and 8th in female-to-male sex ratio. Assam is the 21st most media exposed states in India. The Economy of Assam is largely agriculture based with 69% of the population engaged in it. Growth rate of Assam's income has not kept pace with that of India's during the Post-British Era; differences increased rapidly since the 1970s. While the Indian economy grew at 6 percent per annum over the period of 1981 to 2000, the same of Assam's grew only by 3.3 percent.

The population of Assam consist of tribal ethnic groups and linguistic groups such as Assamese, Bengali, Hindi speakers, Nepali and Odia speakers.

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