Rare Ramcharitmanas manuscript with 400 illustrations showcased at exhibition under Gyanbharatam Mission

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh State Archives on Monday organised a special workshop under the ‘Gyanbharatam Mission’ in Lucknow, bringing together students, researchers and heritage enthusiasts to showcase India’s manuscript heritage and ongoing preservation work.More than 250 students from districts across Uttar Pradesh attended the programme and visited an exhibition at the archives featuring rare manuscripts. A major highlight was a Hindi manuscript of the Ramcharitmanas dated 1794, notable for nearly 400 illustrations depicting episodes from the life of Lord Ram. Another key attraction was a Sanskrit manuscript of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita dated 1967. The manuscript contains all 700 verses and includes seven illustrated depictions associated with Lord Krishna, drawing interest from students and researchers examining both textual transmission and visual traditions.Addressing participants, additional chief secretary for tourism, culture and religious affairs Amrit Abhijat said history remains relevant across generations as societies and institutions continue to learn from past experiences. He underlined the importance of preserving original records and manuscripts as part of safeguarding that legacy.The workshop also marked the release of two publications, Gyanbharatam Nirdeshika and Colonial Lucknow. Dr Sushil Kumar Pandey, associate professor at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, spoke on the role of manuscripts in India’s knowledge traditions, describing them as a vital component of the country’s intellectual heritage.Tourism and culture minister Jaiveer Singh said initiatives such as the Gyanbharatam Mission are strengthening preservation and digitisation efforts while connecting younger generations with cultural and intellectual roots.