Mahabharata, Arthashastra, Rajatarangini manuscripts added to UNESCO memory regional register
Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat hailed the inscriptions as a landmark recognition of India’s extraordinary documentary and civilisational heritage
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Context
Manuscripts of three significant Indian texts—the Mahabharata, Kalhana’s Rajatarangini, and Kautilya’s Arthashastra—have been inscribed on 's . This recognition highlights the global significance of India's documentary heritage in areas like statecraft, history, and philosophy, bringing India's total inscriptions in this regional register to six.
UPSC Perspectives
Cultural History
This inscription underscores the immense historical and cultural value of ancient Indian literature. The Mahabharata is a foundational epic shaping South Asian ethics and philosophy. The Arthashastra, attributed to Kautilya (Chanakya), is a seminal treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy, offering insights into Mauryan administration. The Rajatarangini ('River of Kings'), written by Kalhana in the 12th century, is often considered the first true historical text of India, detailing the history of Kashmir. UPSC frequently asks about the authors, content, and historical significance of these texts in Prelims, and their relevance to ancient Indian society and governance in Mains.
International Relations & Soft Power
The inclusion of these manuscripts in a register is a prime example of India projecting its soft power (the ability to influence others through culture and values rather than coercion). The played a crucial role in preparing the nomination dossiers, demonstrating institutional capacity in heritage diplomacy. By securing international recognition for its 'knowledge traditions,' India enhances its global cultural footprint and reinforces its image as a civilizational state, a key objective of its current foreign policy.
Heritage Conservation
The Programme, established by in 1992, aims to safeguard the documentary heritage of humanity against collective amnesia, neglect, ravages of time and climatic conditions, and willful destruction. The specific manuscripts inscribed—a birch-bark (burjapatra) Mahabharata from Pune, a palm-leaf Arthashastra from Mysuru, and a Rajatarangini manuscript from Srinagar—highlight the diverse material culture of historical record-keeping in India. This emphasizes the critical need for continued investment in institutions like the and the for the preservation and digitization of fragile ancient texts.