Exploring the Significance of the Gilgit Manuscripts

Exploring the Significance of the Gilgit Manuscripts: A Glimpse into India's Oldest Surviving Manuscript Collection

1. Minister of State for Culture inaugurates exhibition "Hamari Bhasha, Hamari Virasat" under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

2. Exhibition celebrates 75th International Archives Day at the National Archives of India in New Delhi.

3. Gilgit Manuscripts highlighted in the exhibition as the oldest surviving manuscript collection in India.

4. Gilgit Manuscripts date back to the 5th and 6th centuries CE.

5. Manuscripts were discovered in the Kashmir region.

6. Manuscripts are written on birch bark folios, pieces of the inner layer of bark from birch trees.

7. Collection contains canonical and non-canonical Jain and Buddhist works.

8. Manuscripts shed light on the evolution of religious and philosophical literature.

9. Manuscripts are distinct from historical records like inscriptions and revenue records.

10. Manuscripts hold significant scientific, historical, and aesthetic value.

The Minister of State for Culture recently inaugurated an exhibition titled "Hamari Bhasha, Hamari Virasat" under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) at the National Archives of India in New Delhi. This exhibition aimed to celebrate the 75th International Archives Day and highlighted the significance of the Gilgit Manuscripts.

The Gilgit Manuscripts, dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries CE, represent the oldest surviving manuscript collection in India. These manuscripts were discovered in the Kashmir region and are written on birch bark folios, which are pieces of the inner layer of bark from birch trees. They contain a wide range of Jain and Buddhist works, both canonical and non-canonical, shedding light on the evolution of religious and philosophical literature.

Manuscripts, in general, refer to handwritten compositions that are at least seventy-five years old and hold scientific, historical, or aesthetic value. They can be found in numerous languages and scripts, with different languages often written in various scripts. For instance, Sanskrit can be written in scripts like Oriya, Grantha, Devanagari, and many others. Manuscripts are distinct from historical records such as inscriptions on rocks, farmans, or revenue records, which primarily provide direct information on historical events or processes. Manuscripts, on the other hand, contain valuable knowledge content.

In summary, the recent exhibition in New Delhi showcased the Gilgit Manuscripts, which are ancient manuscripts written on birch bark and containing Jain and Buddhist texts. These manuscripts offer insights into the evolution of religious and philosophical literature and are considered the oldest surviving manuscript collection in India.

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