Which of the following statements about the Vaishnava saint of Assam, Shankardeva, is/are correct ? 1. His teachings are often known as the Bhagavati dharma. 2. He encouraged the establishment of satras or monasteries and namghars or prayer halls for the transmission of spiritual knowledge. 3. His major compositions include the Kirtana-ghosha. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

The correct answer is C, 1, 2 and 3. All three statements about Shankardeva are correct. Shankardeva (Sankaradeva) was the leading Vaishnava saint of Assam in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. His teachings are known as the Bhagavati dharma because they were based on the Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana; he stressed complete devotion to Vishnu, especially as Krishna, and the chanting of his name. To spread this faith he encouraged the setting up of satras, monasteries for teaching, and namghars, village prayer halls; both are still a living part of Assamese life, the satras of Majuli island being the best known. His major compositions include the Kirtana-ghosha, and he also created the Ankiya Nat plays and the Sattriya dance tradition. Option A is wrong because it leaves out statement 3. Option B is wrong because it leaves out statement 1. Option D is wrong because statements 1 and 2 are also correct. Exam tip: Shankardeva of Assam: Bhagavati dharma, satras and namghars, Kirtana-ghosha.