Srinagar, Nov 6 : The 12th-century manuscript of Kalhana’s Rajatarangini, preserved at the Oriental Research Library in Srinagar, has been inscribed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register, drawing congratulations from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The recognition places one of Kashmir’s most significant historical chronicles on an international register dedicated to preserving documentary heritage of outstanding regional importance.
Welcoming the development, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha described the inscription of Rajatarangini, along with the Mahabharata and Arthashastra, as a proud moment for Jammu and Kashmir and the country.
“Proud moment for Jammu Kashmir & the nation! Kalha?a’s Rajatarangini, Mahabharata & Arthasastra have been inscribed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register,” Sinha said in a post on X.
He said the inclusion of Rajatarangini celebrated the Union Territory’s rich intellectual heritage.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also congratulated the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the international recognition, describing it as an acknowledgement of the region’s profound historical and cultural legacy.
The Chief Minister said the manuscript, preserved at the Oriental Research Library in Srinagar, represented an invaluable repository of Kashmir’s historical and cultural traditions.
He observed that the recognition underscored the importance of safeguarding the region’s documentary heritage for future generations.
Composed by the 12th-century Kashmiri scholar Kalhana, Rajatarangini, meaning “River of Kings”, chronicles the history of Kashmir’s rulers and dynasties, offering accounts of political developments, society and governance across different periods.
Written in Sanskrit, the work occupies a distinctive place in the historical literature of the Indian subcontinent and remains an important source for understanding Kashmir’s early history.
UNESCO’s Memory of the World programme seeks to preserve documentary heritage, improve public access to historically significant records and promote awareness of their cultural and intellectual value.
The inclusion of Rajatarangini in the Asia-Pacific Regional Register marks an important recognition of Kashmir’s centuries-old literary and historiographical traditions. (KNS)
