PREFACE The want of an English to Assamese Dictionary has long been felt by the Assemsee Students, as well as by the literate public in the province. As a conse- quence of this they are obliged to resort to Dictionaries in other languages to the detriment of their ow. terature. The publication of the Hema-Kosha, the Assamese to English Dictionary, through the good grace of the most popular officer, the Hon'ble Col.P.R.T. Gurdon, I A. in 1900, has given a new impetus to the Assamese literature and proved itself to be the sheet-anchorof the Assamese language. Since then, with the introduction of Assamese into the University Examinations, the want of a Dictionary of this type bas been more and more felt and those who are entrusted with the education of the children of the soil must have realised the difficulty of translating into Assamese the English words and phrases in the absence of a reference book of the kind. With a view to remove this longfelt want the author was determind to devote his spare moments to the task, and by the grace of God, he has now been able to submit the work, after a labour of about five years, to the candid judgment of the generous public. It will bighly recompense his labour and will be a source of gratification to him if the book proves to be a useful addition to the Assamese literature. The author has carefully avoided as far as possible the free use of Sanskuit words in the Dictionary, and he has no hesitation in saying that the Dictionary being the first of its kind in the province, has not been as complete as it could be desired, but he hopes that with the help and co-operation of the educated public it will be possible for him in no time to bring the book into a perfect condition. He will be highly obliged to any gentleman who will be pleased to point out to him the defects in the dictionary and assist him with suggest and advice for its improvement. Some hints on Assamese Grammar have been inserted in the book for the convenience of the foreigners to learn Assamese. Dated Jorhat the 14th October, 1931 B. N. Dilihial Bhattacharyya PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION It is gratifying to note that the first edition of the book was well received by those for whom it was intended. Through their indulgence the Editor has now been able to issue its second edition with certain addition and alterations called for specific progress of the day, as well as by various lexiography in compilin the book the Editor often consulted, above all others, the Chamber's Twentieth Century Dictionary as the best guide in every respect. The Editor is highly thankful to Srijut Gangadhar Barkataki, the proprietor of the Annada Printing House, for his prompt compliance to take up the job by surmounting all the drawbacks. Dated Jorhat the 1st April, 1938 B. N. Dilihial Bhattacharyya
