Institutional Reforms and Cultural Transformations: A Sociological Study of the Satras of Assam

This paper explores the institutional and cultural transitions of the Satras of Assam, historically rooted in the Neo-Vaishnavite tradition.It examines how modernity, political shifts, and socio-economic pressures have reshaped these spiritual institutions.The study highlights transformations in leadership, gender dynamics, caste-based discrimination, and the adaptation of monastic norms.Qualitative methods, including field interviews and observations from Majuli's five villages and Satras, inform this analysis.The findings suggest that despite visible modernization, entrenched social hierarchies and traditional customs continue to challenge inclusivity and reform.