A History of Assam c10.51

c10.51

It was impossible that such practices would be allowed to continue indefinitely, and Nar Nārāyan's reign is remarkable for the Vaishnava reformation inaugurated by Sankar Deb, a Kāyasth of Batadroba in Nowgong. He is said to have been born in 1449 and to have died in 1569. The latter date is probably correct, in which case the former is possibly thirty or forty years too early. Sankar Deb preached a purified Vishnuism and inculcated the doctrine of salvation by faith and prayer rather than by sacrifices. He at first attempted to propagate his views in Ahom territory, but he was subjected to so much persecution, owing to the enmity of the Brāhmans who had the king's ear, that he went to Barpeta, where, under the mild and just rule of Nar Nārāyan, he proclaimed the new faith far and wide. The king himself is alleged to have had many interviews with him; and some say that he even wished to become his disciple, but that the great reformer refused this honour. It is said by some that Nar Nārāyan married Sankar Deb's niece Kamala Priya, but others aver that it was Chilarai who did so.