INTRODUCTION.
The publication of Hem Chandra Barua's Hem Kosha by the Assam Administration, it is hoped, will supply a great want. The dictionary of Bronson published in 1867 at the American Baptist Mission Press, Sibsagar, is now-a-days out of print. Bronson's work did not pretend to be an etymological dictionary but contained a very considerable collection of words culled from the lips of the people but without derivations, the author's “Hem Kosha,” however, in all cases, gives derivations of words. Notwithstanding what has been said by the author in his preface regarding Bronson's dictionary it is, I think, generally agreed that Bronson's work supplied a useful means of reference to those studying the Assamese language and to other's also. Assam and the Assamese have now so far advanced as to demand something more complete than Bronson's dictionary. This demand it is hoped will be satisfied by the author's Hem Kosha.
The duty of editing this work has not been a light one. Apart from the labor essential to the reading of every word in a dictionary of about one thousand pages several times over, the English portion has been found in much need of revision and in places it has been found necessary to rewrite it altogether. Even now a critical examination of the text will probably disclose errors which the editor must apologize for and crave the indulgence of the public, as the work of editing has been carried on during the short intervals of a District officer's leisure. As far as possible the botanical names of trees and plants have been appended, the works referred to for the purpose being Gamble's “Manual of Indian Timber” and Dr. Watt's “Dictionary of Economic Products.” Mythological names and names of places have been verified by references to Dowson's Classical Dictionary. The Bengali-English-Sanskrit dictionary of Haughton also has been frequently consulted. I have, I think, acknowledged my obligations to these authors in each case.
I think a few remarks regarding the life and career of the late author will not be out of place. Hem Chandra Barua, although
his family at one time appeared to be in fairly easy circumstances
