A History of Assam c10.52

c10.52

Sankar Deb had appointed as his successor another Kāyasth named Mādhab Deb, but, on his death, this nomination was not universally accepted, and several of his Brāhman disciples seceded and formed separate sects of their own. The chief of these "Bāmunia Gosāins" were Deb Dāmodar, Hari Deb and Gopāl Deb, who founded numerous *sattras*, or religious centres. The most important are those at Auniāti, Dakhinpāt, Garumur and Kuruā Bāhi on the Mājuli. Amongst his own followers, Mādhab attained even a greater repute than the founder of the sect; he was himself more of an ascetic than the latter, but he permitted greater laxity to his followers, who are known as Mahāpurushias and still regard Barpeta as their headquarters. The Bāmunia Gosāins had one Sudra rival in Upper Assam in the person of Anirodh, a Kalita by caste. This man quarrelled with Sankar Deb and, leaving him, founded the Moāmariā sect, the adherents of which were destined to play an important part in the downfall of Ahom rule. They were mainly persons of low social rank, such as Doms, Morāns, Kachāris, Hāris and Chutiyas; and, as they denied the supremacy of the Brāhmans, they were naturally the special aversion of the orthodox Hindu hierarchy. Their designation is said to be a nickname given to the original disciples of Anirodh, who lived near a lake, where they caught large numbers of the fish called "Moā." It may also perhaps be connected with the circumstance that Anirodh is reputed to have owned a celebrated book on magic or Māyā.