Mahabharata, Arthashastra and Rajatarangini Receive UNESCO Recognition: A Proud Moment for India’s Ancient Wisdom

India’s rich literary, historical and intellectual heritage has received another significant international recognition. Three remarkable works of Indian knowledge traditions — the Mahabharata, Kautilya’s Arthashastra and Kalhana’s Rajatarangini — have been inscribed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register.

The decision was taken during the 11th session of the Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP), held in Jakarta, Indonesia, in November 2026. With these additions, India’s total number of inscriptions in the regional register has increased to six.

The recognition highlights the importance of India’s documentary heritage and acknowledges the contribution of its ancient literary, philosophical, historical and political traditions to human civilisation.

Importantly, UNESCO’s recognition concerns specific historical manuscripts rather than simply awarding the entire literary works a new status. These manuscripts represent valuable records of knowledge transmitted across generations.

UNESCO Recognises Three Distinct Dimensions of Indian Knowledge

The three recognised works represent different aspects of India’s intellectual development. While the Mahabharata explores human values and ethical questions, the Arthashastra examines governance and statecraft, and the Rajatarangini documents the historical evolution of Kashmir.

Together, they offer an extraordinary picture of the breadth of India’s intellectual traditions.

1. Mahabharata: An Epic That Explores Human Nature and Dharma

The Mahabharata is among the longest and most influential epic narratives in the world. Traditionally attributed to Maharishi Ved Vyasa, it narrates the conflict between the Pandavas and Kauravas and examines the complexities of family relationships, political power, justice, morality and human responsibility.

However, its significance extends far beyond the story of a dynastic conflict.

The epic explores fundamental questions about Dharma, duty, righteousness and the consequences of human decisions. Its philosophical teachings, particularly those presented in the Bhagavad Gita, have influenced generations of thinkers, scholars and spiritual traditions.

The manuscript recognised by UNESCO is a rare birch-bark manuscript preserved at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute in Pune. Written in the Sharada script, it is an important witness to the older Kashmiri textual tradition of the Mahabharata.

The epic also travelled beyond the geographical boundaries of India. Its stories and characters influenced artistic, literary and theatrical traditions across Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia.

Its inclusion in the UNESCO register therefore acknowledges not only its importance within India but also its wider influence on Asian cultural history.

2. Arthashastra: Ancient India’s Understanding of Governance and Economics

The second important work is Kautilya’s Arthashastra, one of the most significant treatises on political administration and statecraft in ancient India.

Traditionally attributed to Kautilya, also known as Chanakya or Vishnugupta, the text is associated with the intellectual and political environment of the Mauryan period.

Unlike works primarily concerned with philosophy or spiritual thought, the Arthashastra adopts a practical approach to the functioning of a state.

It discusses several subjects, including:

• Public administration and government institutions.
• Taxation, revenue collection and economic management.
• Diplomacy and relations between kingdoms.
• Military organisation and national security.
• Intelligence gathering and internal security.
• Judicial administration and law enforcement.
• Agricultural development and management of resources.

The Arthashastra presents a systematic understanding of how a kingdom should organise its administration, maintain economic stability and protect its interests.

One particularly interesting aspect is its discussion of diplomacy and international relations. It examines how rulers should evaluate neighbouring kingdoms, build alliances and respond to political challenges.

Its emphasis on administrative efficiency, economic management and strategic decision-making makes it an important subject for historians and students of political thought.

The manuscript recognised by UNESCO is a sixteenth-century palm-leaf manuscript written in the Grantha script. It is preserved at the Oriental Research Institute in Mysuru.

The recognition brings renewed attention to a work that continues to attract scholarly interest in governance, economics, management and international relations.

3. Rajatarangini: India’s Remarkable Tradition of Historical Writing

Perhaps the most fascinating inclusion is Kalhana’s Rajatarangini, a twelfth-century Sanskrit chronicle documenting the history of Kashmir.

Composed around 1148–1149 CE, the work is widely regarded as one of the most important historical chronicles produced in medieval India.

The word Rajatarangini translates approximately to ‘River of Kings’. The title reflects its account of successive rulers and dynasties that shaped Kashmir’s political history.

The chronicle consists of eight books, known as Tarangas, containing thousands of verses.

Kalhana attempted to construct a historical narrative by examining earlier accounts, genealogies, inscriptions and other available sources. He also reflected upon the character and conduct of rulers, their political decisions and the consequences of their actions.

This approach makes Rajatarangini particularly significant.

Historical writing in medieval India often formed part of literary, religious and courtly traditions. Kalhana’s effort to organise historical events chronologically and critically examine earlier sources demonstrates a notable tradition of historical inquiry.

The manuscript recognised by UNESCO is preserved at the Oriental Research Library in Srinagar. Written in the Sharada script on traditional Kashmiri paper, it is an important witness to the transmission of Kalhana’s historical work.

For historians studying Kashmir, Rajatarangini remains an invaluable source for understanding its dynasties, political developments, cultural life and society.

What Is UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme?

UNESCO launched the Memory of the World Programme in 1992 to protect documentary heritage and ensure that historically significant records remain accessible to future generations.

Documentary heritage includes manuscripts, historical records, archives, photographs, films and other materials that preserve the intellectual and cultural memory of humanity.

The programme operates through international, regional and national registers.

The Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register identifies documentary heritage of particular importance to the region. Its recognition helps encourage preservation, research, international cooperation and public awareness.

It is important to understand that inclusion in the regional register is different from UNESCO World Heritage Site recognition. The former concerns documentary heritage, while the latter primarily recognises places of outstanding cultural or natural importance.

India’s Growing Presence in UNESCO’s Documentary Heritage Register

The latest additions build upon India’s previous achievements in preserving and presenting its literary heritage.

In 2024, three Indian works were included in the Asia-Pacific Regional Register:

• An illustrated manuscript of Ramcharitmanas.
• A rare manuscript of the Panchatantra.
• Sahrdayaloka-Locana, an important work on Indian literary aesthetics.

With the addition of the Mahabharata, Arthashastra and Rajatarangini, India’s total inscriptions in the regional register have reached six.

The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) played an important role in preparing the nomination dossiers for the three newly recognised manuscripts.

These efforts demonstrate the importance of archival institutions, manuscript conservation and scholarly research in bringing India’s documentary heritage to international attention.

Beyond Recognition: Preserving India’s Intellectual Heritage

UNESCO’s recognition is an important achievement, but it also highlights the responsibility of preserving historical manuscripts.

Many ancient Indian manuscripts remain vulnerable to deterioration caused by climate, humidity, insects, improper storage and the passage of time. Some are preserved in institutional collections, while others remain scattered across libraries, temples, monasteries and private collections.

Digitisation, scientific conservation, scholarly translations and wider public access can help protect this valuable knowledge.

India also has an opportunity to introduce these works to younger generations through universities, research institutions and educational initiatives.

The Mahabharata, Arthashastra and Rajatarangini represent three remarkable dimensions of India’s intellectual heritage: ethical and philosophical inquiry, practical political thought and historical documentation.

Their recognition is therefore more than a ceremonial achievement. It is an acknowledgement of the enduring value of India’s documentary traditions and their contribution to the shared cultural memory of humanity.

As the world increasingly recognises the importance of preserving historical knowledge, these manuscripts remind us that understanding the past is essential to appreciating the intellectual achievements of human civilisation.

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