The book is a critical historical and sociological account of the famous river-island Majuli created centuries ago by the river Brahmaputra. Separated from the mainland society of Assam being encompassed all around by a large water body of that great river, the island nurtures a typical traditional social and culture systems that crystallized since the Middle Ages when the rulers of Assam made it a land of the Vaishnava preachers and founded there, on their behalf, grand religious institutions called Satra. In the 20th century, especially in the post colonial period, geography and society of the island, its institutional structure and social stratifications have been significantly impacted upon by the forces of change created mainly by modernization, demographic change and globalization. The work looks at the evolution of the society in the island and its value systems during the last few centuries, and its response to the forces of changes in the modern times.
Dr.D.Nath is presently holding the prestidgious Shri Shri Aniruddhadeva Chair Professorship in the Department of History, Dibrugarh University. Known for his work on the medieval history of Assam, Dr. Nath has to his credit a number of acclaimed research works in form of both books and articles on polity, society and culture of the Brahmaputra valley. He has also edited the work Opening of the Stilwell Road-Prospects and Problems. Dr. Nath is currently working on religion and religious societies in Assam with special reference to the Vaishnava movement and its institutions.
Forward
Preface
Abbreviations
INTRODUCTION
Geography
Vaishnavism
Population
Economy
Location and Extent
Antiquity
Tracing the Geographical Background
Ecology and Environment
SOCIETY
Caste-Class Divisions
Food
Dresses and Wears of the People
Position of Women
Health and Family Planning
Flood and Majuli
Erosion in Majuli: Some Implications
Decades Back?A Winter In Majuli
Religion
Education and Literature
ECONOMY Agriculture, Occupation and Crafts
Land System
Agriculture
Craft and Industries
Labour
Employment as Occupation
Development of Communication System
Urban Growth and Emergence of New Trends in Economy
SATRAS OF MAJULI The Neo Vaishnavite Institutions and Practices
Early History
Classification of Satras
Inmate of the Satras: From Traditionalism to Modernism
Satra and Society
Perfomaing Art in Satra
Fine Arts in the Satras
Satras?Internal Changes
Satra and Women
CULTURAL LIFE Religious Festivals and Secular Celebrations
Palnam
Ras Lila
Janmastami
Guru Tithis
Phalgutsav/Phakuwa/Dual Yatra
Barsik Bhaona-Sabah/Bar Sabha
Bihu
Ali-Aye-Lrigang
MAJULI IN THE STATE POLITY
Earliest Times to 20th Century
Majuli in Tradition and History: Earliest Times to 1228
Majuli in Historical Times: 1228-1769
Majuli in the Moamariya Revolt: 1769-1805
Majuli During The Burmese Rule
Majuli in the Colonial Period (1826-1947)
Post-Independence Majuli
EPILOGUE
Majuli ? Past and Present
APPENDICES
1. Gaon Panchayatwise Village List And Population Figure of Majuli, 2001
2. Decennial Growth of Population in Majuli, 1901-2001
3. List of Revenue Bils in Majuli
4. Medical and Health Facilities in Majuli
5. Road and Bridge Records of Majuli
6. Market Growth in the Ratanpur Nayabazar Area, 2005 (A Survey)
7. List of the Satras of Majuli (Past and Present)
8. Annual Cultural Programme of the Satras
9. List of Select Manuscripts Preserved in a few Satras of Majuli
10. List of Freedom Fighters in Majuli
11. Memorandum submitted by the Auniatiya Satradhikara to His Excellency Andrew
Gourlay Clow, The Commissioner of Assam
12. Table Showing Women's Literary Rate, 2004-2005
13. Photo Copy of the Letter of Pitambardeva Goswami to Dehiram Nath (Ms.), Dated 13
Kartik, 1883 Saka
14. Open Letter to Sri Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister of India, From Pitambar Deva
Goswami
15. A Cover Page from the Asam Bilasinee (12th Issue, 5th Year, March, 1876)
16. A Part from the Leaflet titled Kartipakshya, Janasadharan aru Eke Pathar Pathik
Guru Sakalar Ocharat Mor Antarar Bhav Nivedan, 18 Bohag, 1878 Sak (used in the
present work as Confession) by Pitambardeva Goswami, Satradhikara of Garamura
Satra.
Bibliography
Glossary
Index