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iv INTRODUCTION little for me except to place on record my heartfelt felicitations to the author for bringing out this volume in English to reach the wider public, One cannot but be impressed immensely by the steadfast devotion of Shri Neog to the literary culture of Assam for a generation despite immense odds. His contribution both in the creative and critical spheres is quite considerable. In the creative line his original works, both in prose and verse, and more especially in the latter, assure him a high place among the living authors and in the literature of the State His contribution in collecting and editing the folk-literature and writing the literary history in general and that of the Vaisnavite period in particular is praise-worthy. I am glad to say that his publications in both of these lines in Assamese number about 80 and cover a long range of subjects, including education, science and religion. He was also a journalist and his con- tribution to journals in and outside the State both in Assamese and in English are numerous in various subjects. Shri Neog's earlier efforts in preparing this history consists of hell a dosen histories of the literature of different periods and his antho logles of Assamese prose and poetry, for many of which he got com- petitive prices and medals. His English works connected with the sub- ject include "Introduction to Asam--the country, the people and the speech," published by Messrs. Vora & Co., Bombay and History of Modern Assamese Literature" published by the Ganganath Jha Research Institute, Allahabad. Shri Neog is a versatile scholar of Assam and an Educationist and historian of the literature and culture of the State of Assam. I feel that none can be better equipped and better fitted than Shri Neos with his scholarly study for the task of writing an authentie history of different periods of Assamese language. I wish his work and labour will be widely appreciated. Raj Bhavan, Guindy, Madras Governor's Camp, December 24, 1960. BISNURAM MEDET, Governor of Madras.