This paper examines the Dakhinpat Satra, one of the four Raj Satras of Assam, through the lens of Antonio Gramsci’s theory of hegemony. While the Satra has historically played a pivotal role in shaping Assamese culture, religion, and politics, it has also exercised significant influence that can be interpreted as a form of religious hegemony. Drawing on historical sources, interviews with the satradhikar and bhakats, and a survey conducted in neighboring villages, the study analyses how the Satra’s authority has evolved from the seventeenth century to the present day. Findings reveal a tension between the Satra’s enduring spiritual appeal and growing public dissatisfaction, driven by caste-based practices, conservative policies, and changing lifestyles of its religious functionaries. The paper argues that unless the Satra adapts to contemporary socio-cultural realities while retaining its spiritual ethos, its social relevance may continue to diminish in a postmodern, globalized Assam.
Borah et al. (Wed,) studied this question.