The Vaishnavite movement, started by Sankaradeva and Madhabdeva in the 15th century, had a big influence on the people of Assam. Because of this movement, many poems, songs, dramas, and stories were written. These works were based on the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas, and other Hindu ideas.
Islam came to Assam in the 13th century. Poa Mecca in Hajo became an important holy place for Muslims. Ajan Peer, a Muslim saint, visited Assam during the time of King Gadadhar Singha. His Zikir and Zari songs are still famous today. During the Burmese invasion, the Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh sent soldiers to help the Ahom king Chandrakanta Singha. Some Sikh soldiers stayed in Assam. Their families still follow the Sikh religion, but they have also accepted Assamese culture.
In eastern Assam, some groups like Tai Phake, Turung, Aitan, Khamti, Khamyang, Nora (Shyam) and others follow Buddhism. The Ahom kings believed in treating all religions equally. They helped build places of worship for people of different religions, creating a peaceful and respectful religious environment in the North-East. Assam has a mixed culture due to assimilation of Aryan and non-Aryan cultures – discuss briefly this aspect. Ans: Assam has many different ethnic groups, just like the rest of India. Over time, people from Aryan and non-Aryan (Anarya) groups mixed their cultures. Because of this mixing, Assam developed a rich and mixed culture.
In ancient times, Assam was known as Pragjyotishpur and Kamrup. These names are found in very old books like the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Vishnu Purana, Kalika Purana, and in the writings of Hiuen Tsang, as well as on old royal inscriptions. These names show Assam’s links with Hindu stories, beliefs, and astrology.
Some scholars, like Banikanta Kakati, believe that the names Pragjyotishpur and Kamrup may have come from words in the Austric language, which shows that both Aryan and non-Aryan cultures influenced Assam. From the 13th century onwards, the Ahoms ruled Assam, adding even more to its mixed and colourful culture.