104 E. A. Gait —Historical Research in Assam. [June, 
be Vamgdvalis in the possession of the Rajas of Bel tola, Dimuria, Rani, 
and Luki, and that much historical information might be obtained from 
the records of the Barpeta sattra and the sattra of Upper Assam. 
Some of the old Musalman families of Sylhet may have records 
which would help us to learn something of the history of that district 
during Muhammadan rule. 
14. Of historical references in religious writings, there are two 
kinds. First, there are the old traditions 
References in religions works. of the Yogini Tantra, the Visnu Pur ana, 
and similar works; and secondly, there 
are the writings of the religious revival inaugurated by Sankar Deb, 
such as the Guru Garitra and Sarjkar Debar Jiban-caritra. To the 
former kind we are indebted for most of what is known of the country 
prior to the Khyen kings, while from the latter we learn about the 
advent of the Baro Bliuiyas, and gather sundry contemporaneous refer¬ 
ences to Musalman invasions, &c. Some of these works have been 
printed. 
15. Lastly, we come to the still unwritten traditions of the people. 
It is doubtful how far these will serve 
Traditions. our purpose, but there is no doubt that 
they will sometimes be of use. Thus, I 
have been given a list of 21 Jaintia kings, whose names have been 
handed down by tradition. Of these, the 7th and 8tli are mentioned 
in the Asdm Buranji as father and son, and as having reigned some¬ 
time between 1611 and 1649 A.D.; and the 15th as having reigned 
sometime between 1695 and 1714 A.D.; the 20th, we know, died in 1832. 
So far, therefore, as can be judged from these outside references, the 
traditional names and order of reigning of the Jaintia kings may be 
relied upon as correct. 
The Chutiyas similarly may have some traditions which would 
help us. We know from Aliom sources that their deoris were worship¬ 
ping at the copper temple at Sadiya 400 years ago, and it would be 
strange if they could not tell us something of the time when their own 
rajas ruled the country prior to their subjugation by the Ahoms. 
16. I have detailed above the different sources of information 
from which, so far as I can see, we are 
Action to be taken now. likely to be able to collect information 
regarding the ancient history of Assam. 
The action which we should now proceed to take is noted below: 
Goins — 
(1) Old Ahom coins to be read, and a search to be made for the 
coins of kings not yet collected. 
