Nature and diversity of manuscripts । पाण्डुलिपि-स्वरूप एवं वैविध्य ।

Описание: Manuscripts are handwritten records that preserve the intellectual, religious, scientific, and cultural heritage of human societies. Their essential nature lies in being unique, non-mechanical reproductions, produced before the widespread use of printing or in traditions where manuscript transmission continued alongside print. Each manuscript is therefore an individual artefact, reflecting not only the text it contains but also the historical, social, and material conditions of its creation.

The diversity of manuscripts is evident at multiple levels. In terms of material, manuscripts were written on a wide range of supports such as palm leaves, birch bark, parchment, papyrus, paper, and cloth, depending on geographical region and period. Writing instruments and inks also varied, contributing to differences in script style, durability, and appearance. Scripts themselves show remarkable diversity, shaped by linguistic, regional, and chronological factors; for example, different script families evolved to suit local languages and writing materials.

Manuscripts also differ in content and function. They include religious texts, literary works, philosophical treatises, scientific manuals, legal documents, and administrative records. Some manuscripts were intended for ritual use, others for study, teaching, or personal reference. Variations in layout, ornamentation, marginal notes, and corrections further demonstrate how manuscripts served as living texts, continuously copied, interpreted, and adapted. Together, these features make manuscripts invaluable sources for understanding both textual traditions and the cultures that sustained them.
Indira Gandhi National Centre of the Art
National Manuscript Mission
Gyan Bharatam
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