UNESCO Manuscripts of the Mahabharata, Rajatarangini and Arthashastra have received recognition under UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register. The three historic works were added to the register on 5 November 2026 during the 11th Session of the Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP). The meeting was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 2 to 6 November 2026.

This recognition highlights the importance of India’s written heritage and the need to protect historical documents for future generations. The three manuscripts represent different periods of Indian history and offer valuable information about literature, politics, administration and society.

Three Indian Manuscripts Receive UNESCO Recognition

The newly recognised manuscripts are connected with three important works of Indian knowledge and history: the Mahabharata, Rajatarangini and Arthashastra. Each manuscript has its own historical importance, language, writing style and place of preservation.

The Mahabharata is one of the major Sanskrit epics of India. Rajatarangini is a historical account of Kashmir written by Kalhana, while the Arthashastra is an important ancient text on statecraft, administration and economics traditionally associated with Kautilya.

Their inclusion in the regional register recognises their value as documentary heritage. It also brings greater attention to the institutions that preserve these rare historical materials.

Mahabharata Manuscript Preserved in Pune

The recognised Mahabharata manuscript is approximately 400 years old. It is written in the Sharada script on birch bark, traditionally known as burjapatra. The manuscript is preserved at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute in Pune, Maharashtra.

The Sharada script was historically used in parts of the Kashmir region and surrounding areas. Birch bark was also an important writing material in several parts of the Indian subcontinent before paper became widely available.

The Mahabharata is a major source of Indian literature, philosophy and cultural traditions. Its different manuscript versions have been studied by researchers to understand how the epic was transmitted and preserved over time.

Arthashastra Manuscript Preserved in Mysuru

The second recognised work is Kautilya’s Arthashastra. The complete palm-leaf manuscript dates to the 16th century and is written in the Grantha script. It is preserved at the Oriental Research Institute in Mysuru, Karnataka.

The Arthashastra discusses several aspects of government and public administration. Its subjects include taxation, trade, agriculture, law, diplomacy, military organisation and economic management.

The text also describes the responsibilities of rulers and the role of the state in regulating economic activities. Its historical importance comes from the detailed picture it provides of ideas about governance and administration in ancient India.

Rajatarangini Manuscript Preserved in Srinagar

The third manuscript is Rajatarangini, written by the 12th-century Kashmiri historian Kalhana. It is preserved at the Oriental Research Library in the Sri Pratap Singh Library Complex in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

Rajatarangini is widely known for its account of the rulers and political history of Kashmir. The work is arranged as a historical narrative and provides information about royal families, political changes, conflicts and society in the region.

It is an important source for understanding Kashmir’s past. Researchers also compare its accounts with other historical records and evidence to study the region’s political history.

India’s Documentary Heritage Gains Wider Recognition

The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) prepared the nomination documents for all three manuscripts. Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat welcomed their inclusion, describing it as recognition of India’s documentary and civilisational heritage.

With these three additions, India’s total number of entries in the Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register has reached six.

At the 11th MOWCAP session, 21 documentary heritage items were added to the regional register. These selections came from 28 nominations submitted by 26 countries for the 2025-2026 cycle.

What Is UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme?

UNESCO launched the Memory of the World Programme in 1992 to protect documentary heritage and improve public access to important historical records. Documentary heritage includes manuscripts, books, archives, photographs, films and other records that carry historical and cultural information.

The programme works through international and regional structures. MOWCAP is the Asia-Pacific regional committee. Its regional register recognises documentary heritage that has particular importance for the countries and communities of the Asia-Pacific region.

The Asia-Pacific Regional Register is separate from UNESCO’s international Memory of the World Register. Inclusion in the regional register therefore provides recognition at the regional level.

The latest additions highlight the importance of preserving fragile manuscripts and supporting the libraries and research institutions that care for them. They also create opportunities for researchers and the wider public to learn more about India’s literary and historical traditions.