Significance of preserving manuscripts: A study in Indian context

Abstract

Manuscripts represent centuries of accrued sources of knowledge in various areas; such as literature, science, philosophy, arts, documents for civil or criminal matters, social contacts, individual records and family records and above all of all pluralistic faith systems of a mass people of India and abroad. These are really more important than a just historical records preserved in any way. They also contain the collective wisdom and experience of long generation of thinkers for a society. Further, it can be found out a right way and explore the knowledge with the help of manuscripts to utilize them for a sustainable development of the human being in every possible sphere in one hand and of the whole creation on the other. In this connection, the importance of various government and non-government bodies, institutions, universities, individuals, trusts, etc. is very significant since the colonial and pre-independence of undivided Bengal. Recognizing the need to encompass and preserve this kind of knowledge source for an important social documentation, the Government of India provides various funds for the conservation of manuscripts. A lot of surveys have been launched to enhance various awareness programmes, symposiums, etc. among the people concerned about the worse condition of palm leaves, paper manuscripts and the need for preventive conservation from its dispersing in many scattered places throughout the regions. So, this paper will highlight the definition of manuscript, need and importance of study manuscript ology and the role of various bodies in this regard.