The Assam State Museum has launched an extensive conservation drive across Upper Assam to assess and rescue manuscripts, artworks, religious artefacts, and other cultural materials damaged in the recent floods, officials said on Thursday, 13 August 2025. The field exercise, conducted by the Directorate of Museums under the Indigenous and Tribal Faith and Culture Department, covered heritage sites across Sivasagar, Nazira, Charaideo, and adjoining areas between 8 and 12 August.

Scope of the Field Survey

Conservation teams visited museums, satras, monasteries, libraries, educational institutions, and private collections during the five-day exercise. Officials and conservation experts found several heritage materials severely affected by prolonged exposure to floodwater, including paper manuscripts, traditional masks, artworks, and religious objects.

At Chalapathar Buddhist Monastery, water damage was documented in paper-based manuscripts and library collections. Traditional masks at Khatpar Satra in Hahchara, Sivasagar, were also found affected, and similar damage was recorded in manuscript collections at Nazira College and private holdings.

Key Rescues and Emergency Measures

A collection of nearly 68 manuscripts at Khatpar Satra was surveyed, including the Maharaj Prithu Naat manuscript dating to 1891, considered significant for its historical and literary value. At Chalapathar Buddhist Monastery, the team cleaned manuscripts, removed mud and debris, separated original materials from printed copies, and repacked the collections for safer storage.

At Nazira College, controlled air-drying was carried out to remove residual moisture from affected books and manuscripts before materials were handed back to college authorities. A century-old Sanchipaat Kirtan Puthi was rescued from the Manikut ghar of Sri Nitumoni Dutta at Lakuwa in Charaideo, along with several wooden and metal religious artefacts.

Notably, the team also inspected the residence of noted printmaker Tapan Gogoi at Hulangkatoni village in Nazira, where nearly 60 artworks were damaged. Twelve severely affected prints have been shifted to the Assam State Museum's Conservation Laboratory in Guwahati for specialised treatment.

Conservation Guidance Issued

Officials warned that flood-damaged manuscripts should not be discarded, stressing that even severely affected materials may contain valuable historical information and can often be stabilised or digitised. Custodians were advised against forcibly opening wet manuscripts or applying direct sunlight, heaters, hair dryers, bleaching agents, or household chemicals, all of which could cause irreversible damage.

Assessment Ongoing

The full scale of damage is yet to be determined, with officials stating the assessment remains ongoing as more collections are documented and stabilised. This conservation response comes amid recurring annual flood cycles in Assam that increasingly threaten the region's irreplaceable cultural heritage, making emergency protocols for heritage institutions a growing priority.