The first such sect to come to Ayodhya – a place that had always been central in the theology of the Ramanandis – was the Nirmohi Akhara. This is said to have happened in the early eighteenth century. At about the same time, the Nirvani Akhara – led by its mahant, Baba Abhay Ram Das – is also said to have entered this holy town. Gradually, in the course of the eighteenth century, other Ramanandi akharas too established themselves at what they considered the birthplace of their supreme deity Rama. The Dashnamis, who seem
