Jammu: Kashmir’s rich historical and literary heritage has received international recognition with Kalhana’s 12th-century Sanskrit chronicle Rajatarangini being inscribed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register, bringing global attention to one of the most significant historical records of the region.
The manuscript, preserved at the Oriental Research Library in the Sri Pratap Singh Library Complex, Srinagar, was among three Indian documentary works selected during the 11th session of UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The other two works recognised alongside Rajatarangini are the birch-bark manuscript of the Mahabharata, preserved at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute in Pune, and Kautilya’s Arthashastra, housed at the Oriental Research Institute in Mysuru.
Written in Sanskrit in the 12th century, Rajatarangini, authored by Kalhana, is regarded as one of the most important historical chronicles of Kashmir. The work documents the region’s successive dynasties, rulers, political developments and social conditions, offering a detailed account of its past.
Noted for its historical approach, the chronicle draws upon earlier records, traditions and available sources to trace Kashmir’s history from its legendary origins to the reign of King Jayasimha, who ruled during Kalhana’s lifetime. Its historical and literary significance has made it an important source for understanding Kashmir’s political and cultural evolution.
The inscription also brings international recognition to the Oriental Research Library in Srinagar, which houses and preserves the historic manuscript.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha welcomed the inclusion of Rajatarangini, Mahabharata and Arthashastra in UNESCO’s regional register, describing it as a proud moment for Jammu and Kashmir and the country.
In a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor said the recognition celebrated Jammu and Kashmir’s rich intellectual heritage and reaffirmed the timeless value of India’s civilisational traditions.
He also emphasised the collective responsibility to preserve and promote this invaluable heritage for future generations.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also congratulated the people of Jammu and Kashmir, describing the inscription as a matter of pride for the Union Territory.
In his message, Omar said the manuscript, preserved at the Oriental Research Library in Srinagar, was an invaluable repository of Kashmir’s historical and cultural traditions. He said the global recognition celebrated the region’s historical legacy and highlighted the importance of preserving its rich heritage.
Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat termed the inscriptions a landmark recognition of India’s documentary and civilisational heritage, saying the three works represented the country’s traditions of historical inquiry, philosophical thought and statecraft.
The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) played an important role in preparing the nomination dossiers for all three works, officials said.
With these additions, India’s total number of inscriptions in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register has risen to six.
The earlier three entries, recognised in 2024, include illustrated manuscripts of Tulsidas’s Ramcharitmanas, a rare 15th-century manuscript of the Panchatantra and Sahrdayaloka-Locana, a significant work on Indian poetics.
The latest recognition places Kashmir’s historical chronicle among the region’s important documentary treasures, highlighting its enduring contribution to the preservation and understanding of history.
