Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi, May 11: The district administration and archaeology department have discovered a rare handwritten manuscript of the Ramcharitmanas, believed to be around 300 years old, in Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi. The find marks a significant step in ongoing efforts to preserve the state’s cultural and literary heritage.
The manuscript, composed by Goswami Tulsidas, is written entirely in the Awadhi language. It surfaced during a special campaign launched by the district authorities to identify and conserve ancient texts and manuscripts.
The rare document was preserved for generations by the family of Gyanendra Upadhyay, a resident of Dhanouli village in Gaurela. According to the family, the manuscript was regularly studied by earlier generations, including Upadhyay’s grandfather and great-grandfather.
Responding to an appeal by authorities, the family presented the manuscript before the District Collector for preservation. Experts note that while the Awadhi script may be difficult for contemporary readers to decipher, the manuscript holds immense value for linguistic and historical research.
Officials said plans are being prepared to conserve the manuscript using scientific methods to ensure its longevity and accessibility for future generations.
The discovery is part of the broader ‘Gyanbharatam’ initiative led by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, aimed at surveying, documenting, and digitising rare manuscripts across the country. Under this campaign, several ancient, historical, and religious texts found across the district are being catalogued to safeguard India’s rich literary heritage.