TheKartabhaja (Bengali:কর্তাভজা), also known as theKartabhaja Sampradaya (Bengali:কর্তাভজা সম্প্রদায়), literally, the Worshippers of the Master,[1] is a religious community ofWest Bengal in easternIndia, which came into prominence in the mid 18th century.[2] It had a significant following in the late 18th century and early 19th century, but its following declined considerably in the early 20th century.
The founder of this community wasAulchand or Aulechand (c. 1686-1769), about whom very little is known, except a number of legends. Significant early leaders of this community were Ramsharan Pal, a disciple of Aulchand, his wife Sarasvati, popularly known asSati Ma and their son Dulalchandra Pal. Under their leadership, Ghoshpara village (presently, a neighbourhood ofKalyani city) inNadia district became a major centre of activities and later apitha for the sect.[2][3] An annual fair in Ghoshpara, known as theSati Mar Dol Mela, is held in honour ofSati Ma on the day ofDol Purnima in February/March every year. This fair is attended by many followers of this sect.[4]
Aulchand, founder of this community was also known asAule Mahaprabhu,Kangali Mahaprabhu,Fakir Thakur,Siddha Purush,Sain Gosain andPurnachandra amongst his followers.[3] Most of the legends onSatyamahaprabhu Aulchand or Aulechand are collected byHorace Hayman Wilson andAkshay Kumar Datta.[2] According to these legends, in 1616Saka era (1694), Mahadab Barui, a peasant ofUla village found Aulchand, an eight-year boy in his betel vine and decided to adopt him. After 12 years Aulchand left Ula and stayed in the house of agandhabanik (perfumer) for two years. Next, he resided in the house of a landlord for 14 years. Next one and half year he lived somewhere in easternBengal and then started travelling from one place to another. At the age of 37, he came to Bejra village and Hatu Ghosh became his disciple. Soon, Ramsharan Pal also became his disciple. Besides Ramsharan Pal and Hatu Ghosh, his principal disciples included Bechu Ghosh, Nayan Das, Laksmhikanta, Nityananda Das, Khelaram Udasin, Krishnadas, Hari Ghosh, Kanai Ghosh, Shankar, Nitai Ghosh, Anandaram, Manohar Das, Bishnu Das, Kinu, Gobinda, Shyam Kansari, Bhimray Rajput, Panchu Ruidas, Sidhiram Ghosh and Shishuram. He died in Boyale village (in the present day Nadia district) in 1691 Saka era (1769).[5] In addition to his 22 principal disciples, Aulchand had a number of followers, bothHindus, mainly from Sadgop, Raju and Muchi communities[6] andMuslims.[2] The disciples of Aulchand believed him as thereincarnation ofChaitanya Mahaprabhu.[5]
After Aulchand's death, his followers were divided into two major groups. His principal eight disciples under the leadership of Ramsharan Pal established a center for religious activities at Ghoshpara. The other group founded their center at Parari village nearChakdaha and cremated Aulchand's body there. The leadership of the group led by Ramsharan Pal became hereditary after his death and his descendants were mentioned as theShriyut or theShrishriyut. The sectarian literature of this community mention theGurus (leaders) as theMahashayas (hosts) and the common members as theBaratis (guests).[2]
In 1783, after the death of Ramsharan Pal, his wifeSati Ma became the leader of the community and she was succeeded by her son Ramdulal Pal or Dulalchandra Pal (1775–1852) after her death. His anthology of spiritual songs, mostly written between 1824-28 under the nome de plumeLalshashi were collected by his four disciples and known asBhaver Gita (Spiritual Songs). Almost 500 spiritual poems and songs written by a number of poets belonging to this community were published in two volumes, titled,Kartabhajar Gitavali (1872) andShrishriyuter Padavali (1893). These works include most of the songs ofLalshashi.[2][3] Dulalchandra Pal was succeeded by wife and she was succeeded by their son Ishvarchandra Pal.
According to H. H. Wilson, the distinctions of theIndian caste system were not followed by the members of this sect during their religious celebrations.[7] According to Akshay Kumar Datta, the principal religious practices were chantingmantra andpremanushthan (ritual of love), which they believe would lead tosiddhi (perfection). The members of this sect met together regularly and these meetings, known asbaithaks, continued till early morning. In thesebaithaks, they shared the expressions ofprem (love) by crying, trembling, laughing loudly and grinding their teeth.[5]
The four classes of the sect were Aul, Baul, Derveshes, and Sain.[8]
| Society |
|  | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Religion | |||||||
| Culture |
| ||||||
| Folk culture |
| ||||||
| Others | |||||||