The Kambi/Kambika (કાંબી / કંબિકા / कांबी / कंबिका) is used as a ruler while making the manuscript. Kambi is a tool that is used for drawing lines on the palm leaf or paper. Basically, it is a ruler that is helpful for making guidelines on palm-leaves as well as paper. It is also used for creating guidelines for the intricate border decorations of the manuscripts. The Kambi is made from a bamboo strip, and is often seen with decoratively carved ends.
The length of a Kambi is approximately 12 to 14 inches. This wooden ruler has a slit on both surfaces (refer image). The slit prevents the edge of the Kambi from touching the paper which in turn stops the ink from spreading while the drawing lines. This was a feature so unique that it reflected on the skillful craftsmanship of the artisans from that particular period. The same Kambi tool is used even now in Jain manuscript writing. It also known as Aankani (અાંકણી /आंकणी,). The same tool is also used for drawing the geometric Mantra-Yantra illustrations of the Jain tradition.