Karnataka's Manuscript Preservation Efforts Progress with 213,730 Documents Mapped
Work to preserve manuscripts gains pace in Karnataka; archaeology department maps 2,13,730
Deccan Herald
Image: Deccan Herald
The Karnataka archaeology department is advancing its manuscript preservation initiative under the Jnana Bhandar Bill 2026, having mapped 213,730 manuscripts, primarily in Bengaluru urban and Bagalkot districts. The project aims for completion by May, despite challenges from summer heat and custodians' reluctance to share manuscripts.
- 01The highest number of manuscripts found is in Bengaluru urban district with 55,999.
- 02Bagalkot follows with 48,700 manuscripts recorded.
- 03The project involves 28 districts with enumerators from Karnataka Sanskrit University and other institutions.
- 04Enumerators use the app Jnana Bharatam to upload details and photos of manuscripts.
- 05Karnataka Sanskrit University currently holds about 40,000 manuscripts.
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The Karnataka archaeology department's initiative to preserve manuscripts has gained significant momentum following the passage of the Jnana Bhandar Bill 2026. As of now, 213,730 manuscripts have been mapped, with Bengaluru urban district leading at 55,999 manuscripts, followed by Bagalkot with 48,700. The project, which is set to conclude by the end of May, employs enumerators from Karnataka Sanskrit University and other institutions to survey various districts. They visit locations such as museums and religious sites to gather information on manuscripts, which includes palm-leaf and paper documents. The details are uploaded onto an application called Jnana Bharatam. Despite the progress, challenges persist, particularly due to the summer heat affecting enumerators in northern Karnataka and custodians' emotional attachment to their manuscripts, which sometimes hinders information sharing. Future plans may involve alternative preservation methods if current strategies prove ineffective.
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The initiative aims to preserve Karnataka's rich cultural heritage through the documentation and safeguarding of manuscripts.
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