Acknowledgement

At the very outset, I would like to thankfully acknowledge my respected guide Prof. Manjula Devi, M.A., Ph. D., Former Head of the Department of Sanskrit, Gauhati University, for her fervent guidance and fruitful admonition towards the preparation of the whole work. In each step of the fulfilment of the work, I was unceasingly encouraged by her invaluable suggestions, guidance and support. I, therefore, with utmost veneration, convey my sincere gratitude to her.

I would like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to Prof. Hiran Sarmah, Head of the Department of Sanskrit, Gauhati University and all the respected teachers of the Department of Sanskrit, Gauhati University for their support, advice and help.

I also offer my heartfelt gratitude to the officials of the K.K. Handiqui Library, Gauhati University, for their co-operation and help.

I offer my tribute to my father Late Dharma Kanta Deka for whose blessings I have got the capability to carry out my study. I express my special thanks to my mother Mrs. Anu Deka, who has been a constant source of support and encouragement and has dedicated a lot for the entire family, especially for me to continue my study. She is a great inspiration to me. Hence, great appreciation and hearty thanks are due to her, for without her understanding, I am sure this thesis would never have been completed. I convey my heartiest thanks to my elder sister Himasri Deka, my brother-in-law Rajdeep Deka and my younger brother Nitupan Deka for their help, support and inspiration.

I offer my thanks to my friends who have inspired me with their constructive comments during the course of the study.

Last, but not the least, I bow down to the Almighty God, for whose grace, it has become possible to me to complete this work without much difficulty.