India’s Ancient Manuscripts Make History: Mahabharata, Arthashastra And Rajatarangini Get UNESCO Recognition 

News world India’s Ancient Manuscripts Make History: Mahabharata, Arthashastra And Rajatarangini Get UNESCO Recognition 

Last Updated:November 06, 2026, 04:31 IST

With these three fresh additions, India's total number of inscriptions in the UNESCO Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register has risen to six

In a landmark victory for India’s civilisational heritage, three foundational classical texts—the Mahabharata, Kautilya’s Arthashastra, and Kalhana’s Rajatarangini—have officially been inscribed into UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register.

The historic announcement followed the 11th Session of the Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register held in Jakarta, Indonesia. The endorsement celebrates the profound impact of Indian philosophy, statecraft, and historiography on the intellectual evolution of the global community.

Three Pillars of Civilisational Thought

The newly inscribed manuscript collections reflect the extraordinary breadth of ancient Indian scholarship across political science, historical recording, and philosophical enquiry.

The Mahabharata, widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest epics, explores timeless questions of duty, justice, governance, and human relationships, serving as a foundational cultural anchor across South and Southeast Asia.

Kautilya’s Arthashastra stands as a pioneering masterwork on political realism, economic policy, diplomacy, and strategic administration, laying down theoretical principles of statecraft centuries ahead of modern political thinkers.

Completing the trio is the Rajatarangini, written by the 12th-century Kashmiri scholar Kalhana. Celebrated for its rigorous analytical approach and reliance on coins, inscriptions, and royal records, it is recognised as a rare piece of objective historical writing in early Indian literature.

Expanding India’s Global Documentary Footprint

The nomination dossiers for these priceless literary treasures were prepared and spearheaded by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.

With these three fresh additions, India’s total number of inscriptions in the UNESCO Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register has risen to six. The milestone follows the 2024 inclusion of the Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahrdayaloka-Locana, further solidifying India’s position as a powerhouse of ancient manuscript heritage.

Preserving the Past for Future Generations

The prestigious UNESCO recognition coincides with national efforts under the Gyan Bharatam Mission, which seeks to identify, conserve, and digitise millions of rare Indian manuscripts scattered across libraries and institutions nationwide.

By elevating these ancient texts to protected international status, the global body ensures that India’s rich intellectual legacy, written centuries ago on palm leaves and birch bark, remains accessible to scholars, researchers, and future generations worldwide.

About the Author

Pathikrit Sen Gupta

Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He tra...Read More

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