Nidanam: A History of Medicine of Assam

This prominent volume presents a comprehensive historical account of the evolution of traditional indigenous knowledge, healing systems, and medical practices unique to the region of Assam. Drawing its title from the Sanskrit term Nidāna (meaning diagnosis or cause of disease), the treatise anchors itself heavily on how early Assamese society, particularly under the Koch and Ahom dynasties, managed both human and veterinary ailments. The book documents how Assam developed a rich, standalone vernacular medical footprint that, while influenced by classical Ayurvedic texts like Madhavakara and Sarngadhara, was beautifully blended with regional herbal remedies managed by local village practitioners (Bej). Furthermore, the volume provides a meticulous study of specialized medieval animal care manuscripts, highlights of which include the heavily illustrated elephantology treatise Hastividyarnava composed under the patronage of Ahom King Siva Simha, the equine medicine manual Ghora Nidan crucial to the medieval military, and Senar Vyadhi, which dealt exclusively with the therapeutic care and diagnosis of hunting hawks and birds of prey kept by regional rulers.