Assam State Museum steps up rescue of flood-hit manuscripts and cultural artefacts

The Assam State Museum has launched an extensive field-based conservation and condition-assessment exercise to rescue cultural heritage damaged by the recent floods in Upper Assam, with teams visiting museums, satras, monasteries, libraries, educational institutions and private collections across Sivasagar, Nazira, Charaideo and adjoining areas.

The initiative, undertaken by the Directorate of Museums under the Indigenous and Tribal Faith and Culture Department, Government of Assam, was carried out from August 8 to 12 to assess damage, undertake emergency stabilisation and identify materials requiring specialised conservation.

During the field exercise, Museum professionals and conservation experts found several manuscripts, books, traditional masks, artworks and religious artefacts severely affected by floodwater. At Chalapathar Buddhist Monastery, paper-based manuscripts and library collections had suffered extensive exposure to water, while traditional masks at Khatpar Satra in Hahchara, Sivasagar, were also found damaged.

Similar damage was documented in manuscript collections at Nazira College and in collections maintained by private individuals.

The conservation team undertook detailed condition assessments and initiated emergency measures to prevent further deterioration. Damaged materials were carefully handled, mechanically cleaned where appropriate and repacked using conservation-grade materials. Items requiring advanced treatment were identified for further intervention at the Conservation Laboratory of the Assam State Museum in Guwahati.

Conservation experts said prolonged exposure to floodwater poses serious risks to paper-based heritage, including staining, distortion, ink bleeding, weakening of fibres and rapid fungal growth, particularly in Assam's humid climate.

The team adopted a material-specific approach based on factors including the type of paper, writing medium, duration of water exposure, fungal activity and structural stability. Floodwater levels and the nature of damage were also documented as part of the assessment.

Among the significant collections surveyed was a set of nearly 68 manuscripts preserved at Khatpar Satra. The collection includes the Maharaj Prithu Naat manuscript, dated 1891, which is considered significant for its historical and literary value.

At Chalapathar Buddhist Monastery, the team carried out mechanical cleaning, removed dust and debris, separated original manuscripts from printed copies and packed the materials using conservation-grade supplies for safer storage.

At Nazira College, controlled air-drying was undertaken to remove residual moisture from affected manuscripts and books. Mechanical cleaning was used to remove dirt and loose deposits, while solvent cleaning was carried out where necessary to address specific stains and contaminants. Following treatment, the materials were stabilised and placed in suitable conditions for further preservation.

The treated manuscripts and books were subsequently handed over to Nazira College Librarian Dr Rajendra Mohan Deva Sarma and college staff.

The team also rescued a century-old Sanchipaat Kirtan Puthi from the Manikut ghar of Sri Nitumoni Dutta at Lakuwa in Charaideo, along with several wooden and metal religious artefacts.

In another major intervention, Museum professionals visited the residence of noted printmaker Tapan Gogoi at Hulangkatoni village in Nazira, where nearly 60 artworks had been damaged by floodwater. Twelve severely affected prints have been shifted to the Assam State Museum's Conservation Laboratory in Guwahati for specialised treatment.

The team also visited Srijani Kala Kendra at Lakuwa to assess musical instruments damaged by the floods and discussed conservation measures with the concerned authorities.

Officials stressed that severely damaged manuscripts and cultural objects should not be discarded, as even compromised materials may retain valuable historical information and can often be stabilised, documented or digitised.

They advised custodians to begin emergency conservation with proper documentation, including photographs, ownership details and condition records, before attempting treatment.

The Museum has also cautioned against common mistakes in handling flood-damaged manuscripts. Wet manuscripts should not be forcibly opened, while direct sunlight, heaters, hair dryers, bleaching agents and household chemicals should be avoided because they can cause irreversible damage.

The field exercise has also underscored the need for preventive conservation and disaster preparedness among institutions and individuals maintaining cultural collections. Museum professionals have recommended elevated storage systems, emergency evacuation plans, environmental monitoring and regular inspection of vulnerable collections.

Digitisation has also been recommended as an important means of creating records of rare and vulnerable materials, although officials stressed that digital records cannot replace the cultural and historical value of original artefacts.

The Assam State Museum said long-term conservation interventions would depend on the ownership, condition and capacity of institutions or individuals to provide appropriate preventive care.

The rescue and conservation initiative was led by Sujata Suchibrata, ACS, Director-in-Charge of Museums, Assam. The field team comprised Mrinmoy Das, District Museum Officer; Antareen Talukdar, Laboratory Chemist; Bikash Das, Laboratory Assistant; and Assam State Museum interns Kalyani Borah and Ritik Jyoti Borah. Debangaraj Changmai and Anuj Mech, students of Sukapha College of Fine Arts, Simaluguri, also volunteered during the exercise.

Officials said the assessment and conservation work remains ongoing and that the full extent of damage to Assam's cultural heritage will become clearer as more collections are documented and stabilised.