Correct Option
The correct option is Shankaradeva.
Explanation
Srimanta Shankaradeva (1449-1568 CE) was a polymath, poet, and religious reformer who spearheaded the Vaishnavite Bhakti movement in Assam. He propagated the Ekasarana Dharma (religion of refuge in one God, Krishna).Detailed Analysis
Shankaradeva is uniquely associated with the creation of two pivotal socio-religious institutions that sustained the Bhakti movement in the region:
- Satras: These are monastic institutions that serve as centers for religious instruction, cultural practice, and the preservation of the Ekasarana tradition. They acted as hubs for art, literature, and drama.
- Naam Ghars: These are community prayer halls established in villages for congregational chanting (Naam Prasanga) and dramatic performances (Bhaona). Unlike traditional temples, Naam Ghars served as democratic platforms where people of all castes could gather for religious and social discourse.
Analysis of Incorrect Options
- Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: A contemporary of Shankaradeva from Bengal, he is associated with Gaudiya Vaishnavism and the popularization of Sankirtana (congregational chanting), but not the institution of Satras.
- Tukaram Tukaram: A 17th-century saint from Maharashtra associated with the Varkari sect and the composition of devotional poetry known as Abhangas.
- Vallabhacharya Vallabhacharya: A Telugu philosopher who founded the Pushtimarg sect in North India and propounded the philosophy of Shuddhadvaita (Pure Non-dualism).
Key Takeaway
Srimanta Shankaradeva institutionalized the Bhakti movement in Assam through the establishment of Satras (monasteries) and Naam Ghars (prayer halls), which remain central to Assamese culture and the Ekasarana Dharma.