900-year-old book records Kashmir's kings and their wars, now earns UN recognisition along with Mahabharata and Chanakya's Arthashastra

Three major works from India's literary, historical and intellectual heritage, Kalhana's Rajatarangini, the Mahabharata and Kautilya's Arthashastra, have been added to UNESCO's Memory of the World Regional Register for Asia and the Pacific.

The decision was taken at the 11th session of the Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP), held in Jakarta, Indonesia. With these additions, India's total number of inscriptions in the regional register has increased to six. The three works represent different traditions of Indian knowledge, covering historical writing, philosophy, ethical thought, governance and statecraft.

UNESCO recognises three works from India's intellectual heritage

The announcement was made by Dr Sachchidanand Joshi, member secretary of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA). The institution contributed to preparing the nomination dossiers for all three works.


The latest recognition follows India's previous additions to the regional register in 2024, when three other literary works received recognition: the Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra and Sahṛdayālokalocana.

The Memory of the World Regional Register recognises documentary heritage from the Asia-Pacific region. The latest inscriptions bring three significant works from India's literary and intellectual traditions into the register.

Rajatarangini: Kalhana's 12th-century account of Kashmir's history

Composed in the 12th century, Kalhana's Rajatarangini provides a chronological account of Kashmir's rulers and the region's political developments.

The work also documents aspects of Kashmir's social and cultural life. Its approach to recording history through evidence, traditions and critical inquiry gives it a distinct place in Indian historiography.

Unlike a work focused only on rulers and political events, Rajatarangini also provides an account of the wider historical and cultural developments of the region.

Mahabharata: An epic exploring Dharma, duty and justice

The Mahabharata, one of the major epics of Indian civilisation, explores themes such as Dharma, duty, justice, power and human relationships.

Its philosophical reflections and enduring values have made it part of South Asia's shared cultural memory.

The epic covers questions of ethical conduct, responsibilities and the consequences of human decisions, making it an important part of India's literary and philosophical heritage.

Arthashastra: Kautilya's work on governance and statecraft

Kautilya's Arthashastra deals with governance, statecraft, economic policy, diplomacy, administration and strategic affairs.

The work reflects ancient India's political and administrative thinking, including its understanding of how a state functions.

Its coverage of economic and administrative policies, diplomacy and strategic matters represents another aspect of India's intellectual traditions recognised through the latest UNESCO inscription.

Together, the three works cover different areas of knowledge, from historical documentation and philosophical reflection to the functioning and administration of a state.

Gyan Bharatam Mission aims to preserve and digitise manuscripts

The latest UNESCO recognition comes amid efforts under the Gyan Bharatam Mission to preserve, promote and digitise India's manuscript heritage.

The initiative aims to identify manuscripts across the country, conserve them and digitise their contents. It also seeks to make these manuscripts accessible to future generations and the global community.

The three latest additions follow the recognition of the Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra and Sahṛdayālokalocana in 2024.

With Rajatarangini, the Mahabharata and Arthashastra now included, India's total number of inscriptions in UNESCO's Memory of the World Regional Register for Asia and the Pacific stands at six.