MP ranks first in preserving rare manuscripts:Gyan Bharatam app registers over 34 lakh pages, verification continues across state

Madhya Pradesh has emerged as the leading state in India in preserving the country’s ancient knowledge and cultural heritage. According to the Government of India’s Gyan Bharatam App, the state ranks first nationwide in registering and documenting rare ancient manuscripts for preservation. Official data shows that 3,445,439 manuscript pages from Madhya Pradesh have been registered on the Gyan Bharatam platform so far. Of these, 1,213,127 pages have already been verified, while the remaining entries are undergoing phased verification and authentication. Bhopal leads registrations, followed by Indore and Rewa As per data available until July 1, Bhopal recorded the highest number of registrations with 2,426,172 manuscript pages. Other major contributors include: Additional registrations include: Registrations have also been received from Neemuch, Mauganj, Khandwa, Jabalpur, Satna, Narmadapuram, Guna, Umaria, Datia, Vidisha, Sidhi, Ashoknagar, Balaghat, Shahdol, Tikamgarh, Mandla, Shivpuri, Dhar, Bhind, Ratlam, Morena, Shajapur, Barwani, Sehore, Seoni, Chhatarpur, Dewas, Sheopur, Narsinghpur, Rajgarh, Niwari, Khargone, Maihar, Damoh, Burhanpur, Harda, Katni, Agar Malwa, Singrauli, Jhabua, Alirajpur, Pandhurna and Dindori. What is the Gyan Bharatam App? The Gyan Bharatam App is a unique digital initiative launched by the Government of India to preserve the country’s ancient knowledge traditions and create a comprehensive digital archive of rare manuscripts. The initiative aims to safeguard India’s literary and cultural heritage while making valuable manuscripts easily accessible to researchers, students, and the general public. The manuscripts are regarded not merely as historical records but as repositories of knowledge, culture, and values inspired by the philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (The World Is One Family), promoting the welfare of humanity. Public can participate in the conservation drive The Gyan Bharatam App encourages public participation in preserving India’s manuscript heritage. Users can search manuscripts using filters such as title, author, language, subject, and repository. Individuals and institutions possessing rare manuscripts can submit requests through the app for their conservation or digitisation. Citizens are also encouraged to register details of ancient handwritten manuscripts in their possession, contributing to the preservation of India’s intellectual heritage. Rare historical manuscripts discovered across Madhya Pradesh The conservation drive has led to the identification of several rare and historically significant manuscripts across the state. 10-foot-long mysterious Jambudweep map found in Tikamgarh A rare 10-foot-long hand-drawn map of Jambudweep was discovered in Tikamgarh. The manuscript depicts the ancient Indian geographical concept of Jambudweep through a circular central structure surrounded by mountain ranges and regions, making it an exceptional historical document. 16th-century manuscript of Rasik Priya found in Panna A handwritten copy of Rasik Priya, composed by renowned poet Keshav Das in 1591 CE, was found at Shri Ram Janaki Temple in Panna. The celebrated literary work from the Riti period focuses on poetics, aesthetics, romantic sentiment (Shringar Rasa), and classifications of heroines (Nayika Bheda), explaining classical literary principles through the love stories of Radha and Krishna. 220-year-old Bhagavata Purana registered in Burhanpur A 220-year-old handwritten copy of the Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana, measuring nearly 20 feet in length, has been officially registered under the mission after being discovered in Burhanpur. Copper plate inscription from Datia added to records A historic copper plate inscription dating back to the reign of Orchha ruler Raja Uddot Singh was discovered at the residence of Radha Vallabh Mishra in Datia. The inscription bears the date Vikram Samvat 1828, adding another significant historical record to the state’s growing digital manuscript archive.