A collection of rare medieval manuscripts, including Tai and Sanskrit texts on palm leaves and copper plates, has been discovered in Assam's Karbi Anglong district. The administration plans to engage experts to decode these fragile artifacts, which are believed to hold significant historical and cultural insights.
The discovery and potential decoding of these rare medieval manuscripts could significantly enhance understanding of Assam's history, culture, and indigenous knowledge, particularly concerning the Ahom era and local tribal heritage.
A significant collection of rare medieval manuscripts, believed to contain valuable historical, cultural, and indigenous knowledge, has been discovered in Assam's Karbi Anglong district. These fragile artifacts, preserved across two local museums, are awaiting expert decoding to unlock their secrets.
Two Tai manuscripts, comprising 67 and 158 palm-leaf folios respectively, are housed at the District Museum in Diphu. These particular manuscripts are engraved by stone rather than inked. A third artifact, a copper manuscript with three folios and an elephant symbol, is located at the Nothengpi Karbi Heritage Museum. This copper manuscript is written in Sanskrit but uses the Assamese script.
The Karbi Anglong district administration is actively seeking to engage specialists from the Institute of Tai Studies and Research (ITSAR) to decipher the Tai manuscripts. Additionally, there are plans to integrate these historical treasures into the central government's 'Gyan Bharatam' scheme, which aims to safeguard and revitalise India's manuscript heritage through survey, documentation, conservation, and digitisation.
Karbi Anglong District Commissioner Aranyak Saikia highlighted the District Museum as a repository of rich cultural and archaeological heritage, containing manuscripts from the Middle Ages that offer potential insights into the Ahom era. He noted that while an open invitation was extended for studying the Tai manuscripts, a favourable response has been limited, prompting the administration to consider approaching ITSAR.
The copper manuscript is estimated to date back to the 9th century and was recovered in 2020 from Ok-Kereng Nihang Engti village, subsequently handed over to the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC). The District Museum Officer, Kaustuv Saikia, stated that a scientific condition assessment of the Tai manuscripts by a conservator from the Assam State Museum is proposed, followed by potential curative conservation and digitisation.
The museum department plays a crucial role in preserving the indigenous cultures of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts by collecting and displaying ethnographic and archaeological objects, including manuscripts, sculptures, textiles, household items, and musical instruments.