Question map
What are bhuni, pachara, and dopati mentioned frequently in the bio- graphies of the Vaishnava reformers of medieval Assam?
Explanation
In the context of medieval Assam and the biographies of Vaishnava reformers like Srimanta Sankardeva, the terms bhuni, pachara, and dopati refer to traditional pieces of men's clothing. The 'bhuni' (also known as churia) was an unstitched lower garment wrapped around the waist, extending to or below the knees. The 'pachara' (or pashra) was a type of wrapper or shawl, often made of cotton or silk, used as an upper garment. The 'dopati' was another form of upper cloth or a double-folded wrapper commonly worn by men during this period. These garments were integral to the attire of the 'Sattradhikars' (heads of monasteries) and the common followers of the Neo-Vaishnavite movement. The use of such unstitched and simple fabrics reflected the cultural ethos and the regional textile traditions of Assam, which utilized materials like cotton, muga, and eri.