India to Host International Manuscript Heritage Conference

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 India to Host International

Manuscript Heritage Conference

India will host the first International Manuscript Heritage Conference in September 2025 in New Delhi, attended by global scholars, cultural custodians, and thought leaders. This is part of a broader initiative to reclaim India's ancient knowledge systems.

Key Aspects:

First International Manuscript Heritage Conference on 11 September 2025 in New Delhi.

Theme: "Reclaiming India's Knowledge Legacy through Manuscript Heritage"

Part of: Launch of the Gyan Bharatam Mission

Objective:To promote awareness and preservation of India's vast manuscript heritage and intellectual traditions.

Swami Vivekananda Commemoration:


  • Marks his historic Chicago Address (September 11, 1893).
  •  Highlights India's intellectual and spiritual contribution to the world.
  • oExhibition of rare Indian manuscripts.
  • Display of UNESCO Memory of the World manuscripts.
  • Live demonstrations and workshops for manuscript preservation and appreciation.

Manuscript Traditions in India

India has one of the oldest and richest manuscript traditions in the world, spanning over 2,000 years.

Manuscripts reflect the civilizational depth, linguistic diversity, and scholarly legacy of ancient and medieval India.

Materials Used in Manuscripts:

Palm-leaf manuscripts:Predominant in southern and eastern India (e.g., Odisha, Kerala, Tamil Nadu).

Birch bark (Bhurjapatra):Common in Kashmir and Himalayan regions.

Handmade paper (from medieval period onwards): Used in northern India and Islamic manuscript traditions.

Cloth manuscripts: Found in Jain traditions and some tribal practices.

Scripts and Languages:

Languages: Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit, Tamil, Telugu, Persian, Arabic, Urdu, and several regional dialects.

Scripts:Devanagari, Grantha, Sharada, Nandinagari, Modi, Tamil script, Telugu script,

Bengali, and Persian Nastaliq.

Manuscripts were written using natural inks like iron gall and organic dyes.

Manuscripts as Knowledge Repositories:

Serve as primary sources for India's intellectual and cultural history.

Reflect India's contribution to religion, philosophy, science, literature, law, and administration.

Content of Manuscripts on Philosophy & Religion:

Hindu texts: Vedas, Upanishads, Brahmanas, Puranas, and Smritis.

Buddhist texts: Tripitakas, Mahayana Sutras, and Tantric texts in Pali, Sanskrit, and

Tibetan.

Jain texts: Agamas and commentaries in Prakrit and Sanskrit.

Philosophical schools: Manuscripts on Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, Vedanta.

Sufi & Bhakti traditions:Poetry, hagiographies, and treatises in Persian, Hindi, and regional languages.

Science & Mathematics:

Mathematics:Works by Aryabhata, Bhaskara, and Brahmagupta on zero, decimal system, algebra, trigonometry.

Astronomy: Surya Siddhanta, Brahmasphutasiddhanta, and Islamic astronomical treatises.

Medicine:Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, texts on Rasashastra and Ayurvedic pharmacology.

Metallurgy & Chemistry:Texts on extraction, alloying, and distillation techniques.

Architecture:Vastu Shastra texts detailing temple construction and urban planning.

Textile technology and water management: Technical treatises on looms, dyes, and irrigation methods.

Literature & Performing Arts:

Sanskrit literature:Manuscripts of epics like Mahabharata, Ramayana, Kalidasa's works, Bhasa's plays.

Regional literature:Medieval bhakti poetry in Tamil (Alvars, Nayanars), Marathi (Tukaram, Dnyaneshwar), Kannada, Bengali, etc

Grammar and linguistics: Ashtadhyayi by Panini, Siddhanta Kaumudi, and Prakrit

grammar texts

Music and dance treatises: Natya Shastra, Sangita Ratnakara, and regional performance manuals.

Role of Institutions: National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM):

Established In 2003 by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

To document, conserve, and disseminate India's vast manuscript wealth and make it accessible to scholars and the public.

Conducts nationwide surveys to identify manuscripts across India.

Creates detailed catalogs (Descriptive and Analytical) of manuscripts in private and institutional collections.

Maintains the National Electronic Database of Manuscripts (Kritisampada).

Conservation and Preservation.

Undertakes preventive and curative conservation of fragile manuscripts.

Provides technical and financial support to libraries and private holders.

Trains conservators in traditional and modern methods of manuscript preservation.

Digitizes manuscripts for long-term preservation and public access

Hosts digital manuscripts on platforms such as www.namami.org and Bharatavani Portal.

Prevents physical degradation while making rare texts accessible worldwide

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