Bhagavad Gita manuscripts and Bharat Muni’s Natyashastra were added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register, recognizing India’s rich cultural and intellectual heritage.
With this, India’s total entries on the list rise to 14. The Gita, a universal spiritual-philosophical guide, and the Natyashastra, a foundational treatise on drama, dance, and aesthetics, highlight India’s ancient contributions to world knowledge.
PM Modi and the Culture Minister hailed it as a historic moment, while UNESCO emphasized the importance of preserving such documentary heritage for global memory.
What is the Memory of the World Register?
- Established in 1992, UNESCO’s Memory of the World (MoW) Programme aims to preserve and provide access to documentary heritage of global significance. It safeguards manuscripts, archives, oral traditions, audio-visual content, and library collections.
India’s Inclusion in 2025
- On April 17, 2025, Bhagavad Gita manuscripts and Natyashastra by Bharat Muni were added to the register.
- India’s total entries in the list now stand at 14.
