Bihar has more than 30,000 identified manuscripts that are over 300 years old.

Devimahatmya manuscript on palm-leaf, in an early Bhujimol script, Bihar or Nepal, 11th century

Vedic Sanskrit

Rigveda (padapatha) manuscript in Devanagari, early 19th century

Main article: Vedic Sanskrit

The oldest surviving manuscript of the Devi MÄhÄtmya, on palm-leaf, in an early Bhujimol script, Bihar or Nepal, 11th century.

The oldest manuscript the state has is a handwritten text on a handmade paper of 29.7"X16.7" on 'History of Persia'. Written by Mohammed Ali in Arabic and Persian languages, this manuscript dates back to 1154AD. It has 111 folios and it is in Nastaliq script. "It was during a search at the library of Patna Museum in 2011 that this ancient manuscript was found by the museum authorities. They handed it over to a manuscript conservation unit of the National Mission for Manuscripts India (NAMAMI), a central government's initiative to conserve manuscripts.

In the absence of record keeping, the museum has no information about the exact place of discovery of the manuscript. "It was donated by a scholar," said Vibhas Kumar, an official associated with manuscript conservation.

Another rare manuscript in the state, 549 years old, is 'Vishnu Purana' written in Maithili by Pakshadhar Mishra. This Mithilakshar script is written on palm leaves. It was in tatters when it was found by NAMAMI in the library of Patna Museum last year. Processed for curation, this manuscript with 428 folios (856 pages) is now preserved at the Patna Museum. This is incomplete as its folio number 171 is missing.

NAMAMI, set up in February 2012, has started relocating the old manuscripts in the state to ensure their conservation. "Once the manuscript is spotted, it's photographed on-site. It then undergoes preventive, curative or restoration process, depending on its condition," Kumar said.

The cupboards, where these manuscripts wrapped in cotton clothes are shelved, are given anti-termite treatment every month and 'neem' leaves and silica gel are kept nearby to prevent insect attacks.

To store the manuscripts composed by Goswami Tulsidas and others, Akhada Goswami Tulsidas is constructing a museum at Hanuman temple, Tulsi ghat where the poet composed, Ramcharitmanas years ago. According to Pandit Vishwambhar Nath Mishra, deputy mahant, manuscripts from across the country is being collected for it. 

Around nine manuscripts from Jammu and Kashmir have already been collected, as many as 25 manuscripts will also be received from Aurai area. Written in 1919, a manuscript from Lahore will also be stored in the museum. Manuscripts in Awadhi, Urdu, Farsi, Kaithi, Russian and English languages will be stored in the museum. 

Notably, the museum will be well equipped with bullet proof showcases, neon lights and Italian frames. General public can view the manuscripts from above the glasses. Computerised screens will also be installed in the museum, which will give detail information about the manuscripts on just one click.It is noteworthy that the idea of the manuscript museum surfaced after the rare manuscript of Ramcharitmanas went missing from the temple premises a year ago. 

In view of the incident, Prof Veer Bhadra Mishra, mahant of the temple have released a hand book edition of the Ramcharitmanas on Saturday. The 704 pages manuscripts will be available in Rs 10 for the devotees on the occasion of Maha Kumbh.

source:TNN