Acknowledgement

At the very outset, I would like to express my deep sense of gratitude and indebtedness to my supervisor Dr. Jagadish Sarma, Associate Professor in the Department of Sanskrit, Gauhati University, for his continuous support, motivation and encouragement to my Ph.D study and related research. His valuable guidance and blessings helped me all the in the completion of the work.

I offer my sincere thanks to Professor Dr. Hiran Sarma, Head of the Department of Sanskrit, Gauhati University for valuable suggestion and advice that I have got during various stages of my study.

Besides my advisor, I express my heartfelt gratitude and thanks to my revered teachers of the department of Sanskrit, Gauhati University and to the honourable members of the Research committee of Sanskrit Department, Gauhati University not only for their help and scholarly suggestion but also for the insightful questions that they raised which inspired me to widen my research on various field.

I express deep gratitude to the authorities and staff members of K.K. Handiqui Library of Gauhati University, Indian Council of Historical Research Library, NERC and also the Seminar Library, Dept. of Sanskrit, Gauhati University for allowing me to make the best use of the books available in those libraries.

I express my heartfelt gratefulness to my father late Bhabananda Sarma (Assistant teacher) and mother Mrs. Nalini Devi (Head Mistress) for their full  support and inspiration. Without their constant encouragement and moral support this present work could not attain this position.

I am extremely indebted to my husband, Mr. Himangshu Sarma, Assistant Professor, Dept, of English, Dimoria College, sister Anamika Sarma, Research Scholar, Dept, of Mathematics, brother-in-law, Kabin Sarma, Research Scholar, Dept, of Commerce, G.U., Mukti Mama, ICHR Library and Rashmi Baideu, Assistant Professor, Dept. Sanskrit, Bajali College for their moral support and inspiration to complete the work.

I acknowledge my heartiest gratitude to all the family members, well-wishers and specially the scholars in this field whose research illuminated my knowledge.

Last but not the least; I would like to thank all those people, specially the press and binders, who have directly and indirectly extended their help in this endeavour to complete the thesis within stipulated time.

Archana Sarma

Date: 28-12-2019
Place: Gauhati University, Ghy-14