History of Majuli

It is possible to approximately say as to when people started inhabiting Majuli. But it is difficult to say whether there were human settlements there a thousands year ago. Even though the history of commencement of human habitation in Majuli is debatable but it wont be very wrong to put this drawn in Upper Assam. It can be said that the agrarian population of Majuli must have flourished at different parts of Majuli during 7th to 13th Century. It is possible that the Mishings must have come down from the Northern Hilly region along the banks of Subanshiri to Majuli. Under the reign of the Ahom empire, the development of the island picked up due to certain reasons. At that time, the main form of transportation was the boat, and the river roads were transportation corridors. Thus Majuli served as an important port during the medieval ages as it did in the ancient times. 

Agrarian settlement mushroomed under reigns of various Kings. Under the Ahom reign Majuli became the place of residence of Royal Officers. Many Official were given land and Paiks to help them set up office there. Prior to 1662 A.D., the doab land entrapped between the Brahmaputra in the North and Burihi-Dihing in the South have been built up of fertile alluvium and was known in the past as “Majali” which later came to known ‘Majuli”.

In Majuli, Sankardeva established the first Sattra in Assam during the reign of Dihingia Raja from 1497-1539 at Dhoahat –Belguri. Records show that as in 1557 the following Sattras had been established in Majuli by various apostles of Sankardeva.

• Kathbapu Sattra in 1557
• Bengana-Ati Sattra in 1662
• The group of Bar-elengi Sattra in 1558
• Auni-Ati and Dakhinpat in 1662
• Kamalabari Sattra in 1673

There were about 64 Sattras in Majuli, and among these the Auni-Ati, Garmur, Kamalabari, Bengena-Ati and Dakhinpat were the main. 

Apart from the Sattras there are many places in Majuli where historical evidences are still seen. Earthen ramparts Like Dhoachala-Garh was raised for catching Elephants – a pastime in medieval times. Bird sanctuaries Rangali- Bahar was also set up the kings for entertainment. Few villages of Majuli like Senchowa gaon were specially appointed for training falcons. There are many historical Tanks constructed for water supply as well. Even though archaeological sites are rare, as this is a flood prone alluvium tract, ancient ruins of brick temples are still visible in Gosaibari in Central Majuli.