Madhya Pradesh uploads highest number of ancient manuscripts to 'Gyan Bharatam' app; here is how you too can participate in this campaign
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve for a cultural resurgence is being realized under the strong leadership of Madhya Pradesh CM Dr. Mohan Yadav. The land of Madhya Pradesh has achieved a significant milestone nationwide in preserving India's ancient wealth of knowledge and cultural heritage.
According to the Government of India's digital initiative, the 'Gyan Bharatam App', Madhya Pradesh has secured the top position in the country for recording information about and preserving rare ancient manuscripts.
This success is proving to be a milestone in re-establishing the state's rich historical and intellectual legacy on the global stage. According to available official data, a total of 34 lakh 45 thousand 439 manuscript pages have been registered by Madhya Pradesh via the 'Gyan Bharatam App'. While 12 lakh 13 thousand 127 manuscripts have been successfully verified through the app, the remaining ones are undergoing a phased process of examination and authentication.
You Too Can Partner in the Preservation and Digitization of Manuscripts
The Gyan Bharatam App does more than just provide information; it connects the general public to this grand cultural endeavor.
Smart Search: Users can easily search for details regarding any manuscript based on title, author, language, subject, or repository location. If an individual or institution possesses a rare manuscript, they can directly submit a request via the app for its preservation or digitization. By sharing information about ancient handwritten texts in their possession, ordinary citizens can contribute to re-establishing India as a Vishwa Guru.
Rare Ancient Manuscripts Discovered Across Districts
Preservation efforts under the Gyan Bharatam Mission have led to the discovery of numerous ancient handwritten manuscripts. A mysterious 10-foot-long map of Jambudvipa was found in Tikamgarh. It features a highly enigmatic and rare map of Jambudvipa that depicts ancient Indian geography. The illustration shows a circular structure at the center, surrounded by mountain ranges and various regions.
Similarly, a handwritten manuscript of Rasikpriya (1591 CE)—authored by the renowned poet Keshav Das—was discovered at the Shri Ram Janaki Temple in Panna. It is a distinguished Lakshan-Granth (treatise on poetic theory) of the Riti-kaal (an era of Hindi literature), focusing on poetics, the Shringar Rasa (aesthetic of love/romance), and the classification of heroines (Nayika-bhed). In this work, abstract classical principles are explained through the romantic tales of Radha and Krishna and original poetic verses.
Also included is an ancient, 20-foot-long handwritten manuscript of the Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana from Burhanpur, dating back 220 years, which has been officially registered. A copper-plate inscription from the era of King Uddot Singh of Orchha—bearing the date Vikram Samvat 1828—was recovered from the residence of Shri Radha Vallabh Mishra in Datia.
A grand endeavor to pass on the nation's ancient wisdom to the new generation
Expressing happiness over this historic achievement, Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Additional Chief Secretary (Culture, Religious Trusts & Endowments, and General Administration), stated that Indian manuscripts preserved in temples, monasteries, libraries, and museums across the world remain an invaluable heritage of our rich knowledge tradition.
He said their preservation, digitization, and dissemination are serving as a vital medium to convey India's ancient knowledge wealth to the new generation. In doing so, India is reinforcing its glorious identity as 'Vishwa Guru' while re-establishing its knowledge tradition on the global stage.
'Gyan Bharatam App' and Its Objective
The 'Gyan Bharatam App' is a unique digital initiative by the Government of India, primarily aimed at preserving India's ancient knowledge traditions and creating a vast digital archive of rare manuscripts. Through this digital campaign, access to these invaluable texts has become remarkably easy for researchers, students, and the general public.