'Memory of the World': Rajatarangini, Mahabharata & Arthashastra get UN recognition
UNESCO has added three major Indian literary works—the Rajatarangini, the Mahabharata, and the Arthashastra—to the Memory of the World Regional Register for Asia and the Pacific. This recognition highlights India's historical contributions to governance, philosophy, and historiography.
Why it matters
International recognition of these texts promotes the preservation of Indian cultural heritage and encourages global academic interest in ancient Indian intellectual traditions.
NEW DELHI: Three major works of 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.The development was announced by Dr Sachchidanand Joshi, member secretary of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), which contributed to preparing the nomination dossiers for all three works.In 2024, India had secured regional register recognition for three other literary works: The Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra and Sahṛdayālokalocana.With the latest additions, India's total number of inscriptions in the regional register has risen to six.Composed in the 12th century, Kalhana's 'Rajatarangini' provides a chronological account of Kashmir's rulers, political developments and the region's social and cultural life.
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