UNESCO Honors India: Mahabharata, Arthashastra and Rajatarangini Enter Global Register
UNESCO adds the Mahabharata, Arthashastra, and Rajatarangini to its Memory of the World Regional Register, celebrating India's intellectual heritage.
In a monumental win for India's civilisational legacy, three of the nation's most profound intellectual treasures—the Mahabharata, the Arthashastra, and the Rajatarangini—have been officially inscribed in UNESCO's Memory of the World Regional Register for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP). This international recognition highlights the enduring impact of India's historical, philosophical, and political thought on the global stage.
The announcement came during the 11th Session of the MOWCAP Register held in Jakarta, Indonesia. According to the Ministry of Art and Culture, this addition brings the total number of Indian inscriptions in the Regional Register to six, marking a significant milestone in the international acknowledgement of India's knowledge traditions.
The Architects of the Nomination
The path to this prestigious recognition was paved by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA). Dr Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary of the IGNCA, revealed that the institution played a pivotal role in meticulously preparing the nomination dossiers for all three classical works, ensuring their historical and cultural significance was clearly articulated for the UNESCO committee.
Three Pillars of Indian Intellectual Heritage
The inclusion of these texts is not just about preserving old manuscripts; it is a celebration of three distinct dimensions of human understanding: history, ethics, and governance.
1. Rajatarangini: The Chronicle of Kashmir
Written in the 12th century by Kalhana, the Rajatarangini is a masterpiece of early Indian historiography. Unlike many texts of its time, it provides a chronological account of the rulers of Kashmir, detailing political shifts and the socio-cultural fabric of the region. Its reliance on evidence, critical inquiry, and tradition makes it an indispensable source for understanding ancient Indian history.
2. The Mahabharata: An Epic of Dharma
Far more than a story of a great war, the Mahabharata is a vast exploration of the human condition. It delves deep into the concepts of Dharma (duty), justice, power, and the complexities of human relationships. Its philosophical reflections continue to resonate across borders and generations, serving as a cornerstone of South Asia's shared cultural memory.
3. Arthashastra: The Blueprint of Statecraft
Kautilya's Arthashastra remains one of the most authoritative works ever written on governance, diplomacy, and economic policy. It showcases the sophisticated administrative vision of ancient India, offering strategic insights into the functioning of the state that remain relevant to political science and administration even today.
Preserving the Past for the Future
This global recognition aligns with India's domestic efforts to safeguard its literary treasures. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Gyan Bharatam Mission has been launched to ensure that India's vast manuscript heritage is not lost to time. The mission focuses on the identification, conservation, and digitisation of these manuscripts, making them accessible to the youth and the global community through modern technology.
By integrating these three works into the UNESCO register, India's contributions to the world's understanding of history, philosophy, and statecraft are now formally etched into the global memory, celebrating a civilisational continuity that spans millennia.