Acknowledgement

I take great pleasure in expressing my heartfelt gratitude to my respected supervisor Dr. Sujata Purkayastha, Professor, Department of Sanskrit, Gauhati University for her stimulating guidance, continued encouragement, inspiration and help during the period of preparation of this dissertation.

I am much grateful to my respected teacher Dr. Mukta Biswas, Professor and Head, Department of Sanskrit, Gauhati University for her constant encouragement.

I am also thankful to my respected teacher Dr. Rajendra Nath Sarma, Professor, former Head of the Department of Sanskrit, Gauhati University for his kind help and suggestions and the faculty members of the Department for their valuable suggestions and good will.

I am extremely grateful to the Librarian and staff of K.K. Handique Library, Gauhati University, Indian Council of Historical Research, North East Regional Centre, Gauhati University, National Library, Belvedere, Kolkata; District Library, Guwahati, BHB College Library, Sarupeta for their kind help for their sincere help and full library facilities offered to me. I am also thanks to the Librarian of

Seminar Library, Department of Sanskrit, Gauhati University, I am also thankful to Dr. Karunamohan Sarma, Associate Professor, Bajali College, Pathsala who has helped and inspired me in doing this research work. I shall remain ever grateful to Dr.Manoranjan Das, Ex-Principal, BHB College, Sarupeta who has greatly helped me in my research period.

I also express my gratefulness to Sri Rajen Das, N.H. College, Patacharkuchi, Sri Mrinal Datta, Sri Amalendu Goswami and Sri Rituparna Das of BHB College, Sarupeta, Sri Jayanta Goswami, Bhavanipur Anchalik College, Sri Mathuramohan Goswami, retired Associate Professor and my student Sri Manasi Sarma and all the teaching and non-teaching staff of BHB College, Sarupeta.

I offer my thanks to my mother, elder brothers, and all family members and also to Sri Manoranjan Goswami who help and encourage me during my research work.

I shall be failing in my duties if I do not offer my thanks to my husband Mr. Pranab Kumar Goswami, B.E. for his continued encouragement and valuable suggestions offered to me. I am indebted to him for his sacrifice during the period of preparation of present dissertation.

Finally, I specially thankful to Mr. Kalicharan Das and his son Mr. Dipankar Das who has completed the task of computer typing of the dissertation within a very short period of time.

(Diptimani Goswami)

Gauhati University