Partially crystalline indium sulfide dendrites were obtained via precipitation in presence of CTAB. In absence of CTAB, crude self-assembly of particles was noted. With increasing CTAB concentration and aging time of the solutions, particles were found to self-assemble in a progressive manner to extended hierarchical dendrites. Unlike in commonly known cases where dendrites are unstable but well crystallized, partially crystallized particles can also self-assemble to well-formed dendrites especially when assisted by the surfactant molecules. The X-ay analysis, TEM studies confirmed the partially crystallized nature of the samples. Optical properties when investigated, the dendrites were found to show quantum confinement effects. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.