A History of Assam c12.158

c12.158

“The Raja and Phukans ride on *sinhāsans*, and the chiefs and rich men in *dulis*, which are constructed with poles and planks in a ludicrous fashion. The poles of *sinhāsans* and *dulis* are carved out of wood. They make chairs of wood in the style of stools, and strap them to the backs of elephants instead of covered litters and howdahs. It is not their custom to tie turbans round the head, to wear coats, trousers or shoes, or to sleep on bedsteads. They only wrap a piece of fine linen round the head, and a waistband around the middle, and place a *chaddar* on the shoulders. Some of their rich men in winter put on a half-coat like a jacket. Those who can afford it sleep on a plank which serves for a bedstead. They chew large quantities of betel leaves with unripe areca nuts of which the rind has not been removed. Flowered silk, velvet, *tat-band* and other kinds of silk stuff are excellently woven here. They make very nice and neat trays, chests, thrones and chairs, all carved out of one piece of wood. Among the property of the Raja, some thrones were found, each made of one piece of wood, and nearly two cubits broad and having legs cut out of the same piece and not joined to it.