A collection of rare manuscripts preserved in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district could provide valuable insights into the region’s medieval history, indigenous knowledge systems and cultural heritage once they are fully deciphered.
The fragile manuscripts, preserved in two museums in the district, have survived centuries but remain largely unread. Historians and linguists are now showing interest in studying these ancient records to uncover information preserved on palm leaves and copper plates.
Among the important collections are two Tai manuscripts kept at the District Museum in Diphu, the headquarters of Karbi Anglong. These manuscripts contain 67 and 158 palm-leaf folios respectively. Unlike conventional manuscripts written with ink, the texts were engraved on palm leaves.
Karbi Anglong District Commissioner Aranyak Saikia said the District Museum is a treasure house of cultural and archaeological heritage. It contains several manuscripts from the medieval period, some of which are yet to be completely decoded.
The district administration is planning to approach the Institute of Tai Studies and Research (ITSAR) for decoding the two rare Tai manuscripts. It is also exploring the possibility of bringing them under the Centre’s ‘Gyan Bharatam’ scheme for survey, preservation and digitisation.
Officials believe that the Tai manuscripts may contain valuable information about the Ahom era, which ruled Assam for nearly 600 years from 1228 to 1826.
Karbi Anglong District Museum Officer Kaustuv Saikia said that an open invitation had earlier been extended to researchers interested in studying the manuscripts, but the response was limited. The administration is now considering involving ITSAR for a systematic study.
Another important artefact preserved at the Nothengpi Karbi Heritage Museum is a copper manuscript consisting of three folios, a ring and an elephant symbol. The manuscript is written in Sanskrit language using Assamese script.
According to officials, previous attempts were made to decipher the copper manuscript, but no professional and detailed research had been conducted. The administration now wants experts to study the manuscript properly to understand the region’s past.
The copper plate manuscript is believed to date back to the 9th century and was recovered in 2020 from Ok-Kereng Nihang Engti village. Villagers later formally handed it over to the Chief Executive Member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, after which it was displayed at the Nothengpi Karbi Heritage Museum.
The administration is also seeking to include these manuscripts under the Gyan Bharatam scheme, which aims to protect India’s manuscript heritage through documentation, scientific conservation, digitisation and publication.
The scheme also proposes the creation of a National Digital Repository to make ancient manuscripts accessible for research, education and public awareness.
To create awareness among young people, the administration plans to organise museum visits and summer camps for school and college students.
Officials also plan to conduct a scientific condition assessment of the two Tai manuscripts through conservation experts from the Assam State Museum.