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[[File:Art hastividyarnava 2.jpg|thumb|A folio from the '''Hastividyarnava''' manuscript]]<br />
The '''Hastividyārnava''', written by Sukumar Barkaith, is one of the best known illustrated manuscripts of [[Assam]]. Commissioned under the patronage of King [[Siva Singha]] (1713-1744 C.E.) and his queen consort [[Phuleswari]], it deals with the management and care of [[Indian elephant|elephants]] in the royal stables.<ref name="Barkaith">Barkaith, S. (1734). ''Hastividyarnava.'' Edited with an introduction by P.C. Choudhury. Guwahati: Publication Board, Assam.</ref><br />
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The Hastividyārnava is a work that arose in a matrix of disciplined study, prolonged observation and a precedent tradition. The commission of such a treatise was perhaps considered important as the elephant played an important role in affirming the idea of monarchy and exercising state power.<ref name=Barua>Barua, M. (2005). The Elephant in Assamese History and Mythology. Kaziranga National Park Centenary Celebration Volume P. 34-39. Forest Department of Assam, Govt. of Assam.</ref><br />
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== Contents ==<br />
The treatise itself was written for a ruling monarch, and almost entirely from the view of sustaining [[monarchy]] – which elephants are suitable for the kingdom, how they should be trained for use by the nobility and for the purpose of war. The ''Hastividyārnava'' has an elaborate taxonomic system describing the various types of elephants and their character, and it was perhaps considered important for a king to have knowledge regarding elephants, as it is mentioned that only the learned king recognizes particular [[breed]]s.<br />
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== Artists ==<br />
The two artists ''Dilbar'' and ''Dosai'' who painted the manuscript were probably not very familiar with the landscape of Assam and hence the quality of the landscapes are not of a very high standard.<br />
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== Current location and status ==<br />
The manuscript is currently housed in the Department of Historical and Antiquarian Studies (DHAS) in Guwahati, Assam. The ''Hastividyarnava'' should not be confused with the ''Hati-Puthi'' of ''Auniati Sattra'' (Majuli), which is a much later work (possibly of the early 19th century).<ref>[http://www.srimanta.net/manuscript%20painting2.htm srimanta.org]{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><br />
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== References ==<br />
{{Reflist}}<!--added above categories/infobox footers by script-assisted edit--><br />
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[[Category:Culture of Assam]]<br />
[[Category:Illuminated manuscripts]]<br />
[[Category:Elephants in Indian culture]]<br />
[[Category:Indian manuscripts]]<br />
[[Category:18th-century manuscripts]]<br />
[[Category:Elephantology in India]]<br />
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