General Knowledge of Assam - Complete Guide

The Moamoria Rebellion or Moamoria Bidroh was a major socio-religious and political uprising that took place in 18th-century Assam, directed against the ruling Ahom dynasty. It was led by the Moamorias, followers of the Mayamara Satra, a liberal Vaishnavite sect that was socially inclusive and opposed to the rigid hierarchy promoted by the Ahom elite.

The rebellion began in 1769 during the reign of Ahom king Lakshmi Singha, and it lasted for several decades in multiple phases, significantly weakening the Ahom kingdom.

Causes of the Rebellion:

• Religious discrimination against the Moamorias by the orthodox Ahom rulers

• Social oppression and caste-based exclusion

• Economic hardships faced by the peasantry

• Political centralization and denial of rights to lower sections of society

The Moamoria rebels captured the Ahom capital Rangpur and even installed their own rulers for brief periods. Although the rebellion was eventually suppressed, the continuous uprisings drained the kingdom’s resources and destabilized Ahom administration, making it vulnerable to later invasions by the Burmese and, eventually, the British.

Significance:

The Moamoria Rebellion is considered the largest internal revolt in Assam's pre-colonial history. It exposed deep-seated social inequality, challenged the dominance of the royal court, and indirectly led to the decline and collapse of the Ahom dynasty.