Acknowledgement

At the very outset, I express my deep sense of gratitude to my respected supervisor Dr. Sujata Purkayastha, Professor and former Head, Department of Sanskrit, Gauhati University, for suggesting me to choose the topic of the present thesis. I am really grateful to her for her able guidance, valuable suggestions and help that I received during my study period and also during of preparation of the present thesis.

I am very much grateful to my teacher Dr. Mukta Biswas, professor and former Head, Department of Sanskrit, Gauhati University, for her constant encouragement and valuable advices.

I am also thankful to all my teachers of the Department of Sanskrit, Gauhati University, for their valuable help and suggestions.

I am extremely grateful to the scholars whose works have been used by me during the study period and also at the time of preparation of the present work.

I express my gratitude to the Librarian and staff of K.K.Handique Library, Gauhati University, and the Library-in-charge of the Seminar Library of Sanskrit Department for their sincere help in providing me with full library facilities. I am thankful to the office stuff of Sanskrit Department, Gauhati University, for their help.

I shall be failing in my duties if I do not express my gratitude to my father Lt. Deva Baruah whose memory is a great inspiration to me, and also my uncle Lt. Ghana Baruah. I am thankful to my mother Smt. Kusum Baruah, my younger sister

Miss Manoshi Baruah for their help and inspiration. I am also thankful to my husband Mr. Dulu Mahanta who helped and inspired me all throughout my study period in course of the preparation of this thesis.

I am also thankful to my freinds and relatives for their sincere help and best wishes during the study period of the present work.

Deepa Baruah

Date: 23.6.17