*Chayanika Borah, & Devaprotim Hazarika
Assam has a rich history of written literature since the ancient period. To preserve them in the written form, different tools were invented from the ingredients found locally. Initially, rock, limerock, copper, animal skin etc were used. But later on the use of Tulapat(thin cotton sheet), Sanchipat (Aquilaria Agallocha) and use of Mohi as ink prove the uniqueness and superiority of Assam’s tools for writing. The scholars from all over India admit that Assamese people are apt in making these instrument with accurate methods scientifically. The most important feature of these instruments is that it is long lasting. Despite of Assam’s wet climate and adverse weather, these literary works remain intact and free from fungus and insects. Significantly these tools contain naturally obtained chemical products that only harmed insects and fungi and therefore had no harmful effect on humans. Such literary work written during ancient and middle ages, when found, studied and researched, will provide great evidence on the evolution of ideas and philosophy of India’s literary history. In this paper, an attempt has been made to study the history of the writing process, method of production of the instruments and their use in Assam during ancient and Middle Ages.
Keywords:Assam, Lipi, Mohi, Sanchipat (Aquilaria Agallocha), Tulapaat, Writing tools