A Historical Analysis of Maomariya Rebellion and the Decline of the Ahom Monarchy in Assam
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53573/rhimrj.2026.v13n07.007Keywords:
Assam, Maomariya rebellion, Ahoms, Neo Vaishnavism, Vaishnavism, SatrasAbstract
The Maomariya rebellion was one of the most significant socio-political upheavals in the history of Assam, making a decisive phase in the decline of the Ahom monarchy. The rebellion initiated by the followers of the Maomariya branch of Neo-Vaishnavism, emerged from long standing grievances arising from religious persecution other discriminations of the Ahom government. The Maomariya Satra was founded by Aniruddha Bhuyan, alias Aniruddhadeva, who was a disciple of Sankaradeva towards the close of 16th century. These Maomariyas transformed themselves into a rebellious body from a religious sect due to the attitude of the Ahom Government towards them This study examines the historical factors, courses and consequences of the rebellion, with particular emphasis on its political and administrative stability of the Ahom kingdom. Adopting a historical and descriptive methodology, the paper relies on both primary and secondary sources including historical chronicles, scholarly works and archival records. The study argues that the Maomariya rebellion was not merely a sectarian movement but a broader manifestation of structural weaknesses within the Ahom state. The prolonged conflict undermined its military strength, disrupted its economy, weakened central authority and created conditions that facilitated Burmese invasion and eventually British annexation following the Treaty of Yandaboo (1826 AD).
References
[1] Barbaruah, Hiteswar (2013). Ahomor Din (6th ed.). Guwahati: Assam Prakashan Parishad.
[2] Barpujari, H.K. (1993). The Comprehensive History of Assam (Vol.-V). Guwahati: Publication Board Assam.
[3] Barpujari, H.K. (2007). The Comprehensive History of Assam. (Vol.-III). Guwahati: Publication Board Assam.
[4] Barua G.C. (1930). (Eds.). Ahom Buranji From the earliest Time to the End of Ahom rule. Calcutta: Baptist Mission Press.
[5] Baruah, S.L. (1977). Ahom Policy towards the Neighbouring Hill Tribes. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. Indian History Congress.
[6] Baruah, S.L. (1993). Last Days of Ahom Monarchy, A History of Assam from 1769-1826. New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
[7] Baruah, S.L. (2002). A Comprehensive History of Assam. New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Ltd.
[8] Bhuyan, S.K. (1949). Anglo-Assamese Relations (1771-1826). Gauhati: Department of Historical and Antiquarian Studies in Assam.
[9] Bhuyan, Dr. S.K. (1960). Satsori Asom Buranji. Guwahati: Bani Mandir.
[10] Bhuyan, Dr. S.K. (2009). Ahomor Din. Guwahati: Bani Mandir.
[11] Bhuyan, S.K. (1933). (Eds.). Tungkhungia Buranji or History of Assam 1681-1826 AD. Delhi: Oxford University Press.
[12] Dasgupta, Surendranath (1955). A History of Indian Philosophy, Vol. 5: The Southern Schools of Śaivism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
[13] Devi, L (1968). Ahom Tribal Relations: A Political Study. Guwahati: Lawyer’s Book Stall.
[14] Gait, Edward (1926). A History of Assam. Guwahati: EBH Publishers India.
[15] Gogoi, K.P. (1999). The Ahom Nobility, Ph.D Thesis, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh.
[16] Gogoi, Nitul Kumar (1995). Acculturation in the Brahmaputra Valley: the Ahom Case. Pd.D Thesis, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong.
[17] Gogoi, Nitul Kumar (2006). Continuity and Change among the Ahoms. Delhi: Concept Publishing Company.
[18] Gogoi, Padmeshwar (1976). Tai-Ahom Religion and Customs. Assam: Publication Board.
[19] Gogoi, Padmeshwar (1968). Tai and the Tai Kingdoms: With Fuller Treatment of the Tai-Ahom Kingdom in the Brahmaputra Valley. Guwahati: Gauhati University.
[20] Gohain, Dr. Birendra Kumar (2011). The Ahoms and their Traditions. (Vol-I). New Delhi: Omsons Publications.
[21] Goswami, K.A.S. (1922). The Ancient Chronicle of Assam (From Sukapha to Gadadhar Singha). Gauhati: K.A.S.
[22] Guha, Amalendu (1991). Medieval and Early Colonial Assam: Society Polity Economy. Calcutta: Registrar, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences.
[23] Guha, Amalendu (1983). The Ahom Political System: An Enquiry into the State Formation Process in Medieval Assam (1228-1714), Social Scientist, 11 (12), 3–34. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/3516963
[24] Hazarika, D. (2005). Roots of the popular discontent in Assam under Ahom rule, Ph.D Thesis, Gauhati University, Guwahati.
[25] Neog, Maheswar (1982). Socio-Political Events in Assam Leading to the Militancy of the Mayamariya Vaisnavas. Calcutta: Centre for Studies in Social Sciences.
[26] Phukan, Girin (2006). Influence of Aryan Culture on The Ahom. Indian Journal of Tai Studies. (Vol.VI). Moranhat, Assam. Institute of Tai Studies and Research.
[27] Phukan, Dr. Girin (2017). Cultural Linkage of the Ahom with the Tais of Southest Asia: A case study of Ahom-Thai Linkage, I, II, IV, Khwan Mung Magazine.
[28] Rajkumar, Sarbananda (ed.). (2017). Itihase Soaura Chasahata Bachar. Guwahati: Saraighat Offset Press.
[29] Sarkar, J. N. (1992). Assam-Mughal Relations. In Barpujari, H. K. (ed.), The Comprehensive History of Assam, (pp. 148–256). Guwahati: Assam Publication Board.
[30] Sarma, S.N. (1999). The Neo-Vaishavite Movement and the Satra Institution of Assam. Guwahati: Lawyer’s Book Stall.
[31] Treaty of Yandaboo, 24 February 1826, retrieved from- https://www.assamtimes.org/sites/default/files/yandaboo-treaty.pdf
