Negotiating Religion and Power: Quotidian Conflicts between the Ahom State and neo-Vaishnavism

Abstract

Religious beliefs are enmeshed in the state-making processes. This theme is relatively understudied in the context of medieval Assam. Older historical works by scholars such as S.N. Sarma, Maheswar Neog, Amalendu Guha and D. Nath have enriched our knowledge on Vaishnavism and the Ahom state but there remains a scope for further exploration of the interlinkages between state, power, and religion in the broader state-making process. Religious beliefs impact existing power relations. Earlier scholars, by focusing on the persecution of Vaishnavite monasteries under the Ahom King Gadadhar Singha (1681-1696) and the later Moamaria rebellions, largely ignored the more quotidian attempts of the Ahom state to regulate religious beliefs which appeared prejudicial to its authority. This paper seeks to emphasise the significance of everyday tension and conflict which characterised the relation between Neo-Vaishnavite institutions and tribal configurations, and between the State and the Neo-Vaishnavite order; thereby shedding light on the quotidian processes of state-making in medieval Assam. State regulation extended beyond religious beliefs to religious leaders (through persecution of religious preachers, surveillance of monasteries, intervention in inter-monastery conflicts) lest they became the focal point for harbouring disaffected elements and thereby become a threat to the authority of the state. The Ahom state did not limit itself to regulation but would, at times, even come into negotiated arrangements with various disparate elements to maintain its authority. The state also attempted to nudge different social and religious groups towards state-sanctioned orthodox practices (such as idol worship) through long-term negotiations. Thus, the paper argues that the state tolerated, and at times encouraged, Neo-Vaishnavism and attempted to restructure religious beliefs to fit its viewpoint of a hierarchical society at whose apex stood the king, who ultimately made decisions regarding the legitimacy of religious traditions.