Rajatarangini, Mahabharata and Arthashastra join UNESCO regional register
Three major Indian literary and historical works have been added to the Memory of the World Register for Asia and the Pacific.
Three significant works of Indian heritage, Kalhana's 'Rajatarangini', the 'Mahabharata', and Kautilya's 'Arthashastra', have been included in the UNESCO Memory of the World Regional Register for Asia and the Pacific. The decision was made during the 11th session of the Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP) in Jakarta, Indonesia, according to reports by The Times of India and The Tribune.
Dr Sachchidanand Joshi, member secretary of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), announced the development. The IGNCA assisted in preparing the nomination dossiers for the three texts. The Ministry of Culture described the inclusion as a proud moment for the nation's cultural and literary legacy.
The 'Rajatarangini' is a 12th-century chronicle providing a chronological account of Kashmir's rulers and social life. The 'Mahabharata' is a major epic exploring themes of justice, duty, and human relationships. Kautilya's 'Arthashastra' is an authoritative text on governance, diplomacy, and economic policy.
With these three new entries, India now has a total of six inscriptions in the regional register. Earlier in 2024, the Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahṛdayālokalocana were also recognised. This recognition comes alongside the Gyan Bharatam Mission, which works to preserve and digitise India's manuscript heritage.