UNESCO adds Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra manuscripts to Memory of the World Register
GS1History · Society · Geography· Art, architecture & culture· Prelims·
Cultural heritage and soft power: a GS1 case study on international recognition of indigenous manuscripts.
Why in news
UNESCO added manuscripts of the Bhagavad Gita and Bharat Muni's Natyashastra to its Memory of the World Register, increasing India's total inscriptions to 14.
Background
UNESCO added the manuscripts on April 17, bringing the total inscribed collections in the Register to 570. The update also included entries from 72 countries regarding the Scientific Revolution and multilateralism.
Facts for Prelims
- BodyMemory of the World Register: A UNESCO initiative to preserve documentary heritage.
- FactIndia's total inscriptions in the Memory of the World Register: 14.
- FactTotal inscribed collections in the Register: 570.
- PlaceNatyashastra: Attributed to Bharat Muni.
Prelims practice question
What is the total number of India's inscriptions currently in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register?
- (a)21
- (b)35
- (c)14
- (d)10
Show answer
Answer: (c) 14 — The note states that the addition of the new manuscripts increased India's total inscriptions to 14.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the significance of international recognition of indigenous manuscripts in preserving India's intangible cultural heritage and promoting soft power.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Cultural diplomacy: Leveraging ancient texts to project India's civilizational depth globally
- Preservation ethics: Balancing the digitization of sacred manuscripts with their physical integrity
- Soft power projection: Using UNESCO recognition to bolster India's cultural influence in multilateral forums
Keywords: Cultural Heritage · Soft Power · Intangible Heritage · Documentation · Civilizational Continuity
More History & Culture notes
- UNESCO inscribes Maratha Military Landscapes on World Heritage List in Paris · 6 November 2026
- Supreme Court stays Madras High Court order to oversee Chidambaram Sabanayagar Temple · 4 November 2026
- India completed 79 years of independence following the lapse of British paramountcy on August · 1 November 2026
- Maharashtra implements ₹35,000 crore projects to welcome 12 crore Simhastha Kumbh Mela pilgrims · 1 November 2026
- Modi pays floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at Statue of Unity · 31 October 2026
- NGMA Bengaluru to host 150+ heritage Karnataka textile artefacts from 18th Century · 30 October 2026
Something wrong, or something missing?
Spotted a mistake in a note, or want a topic, format or PDF that would help your preparation? Write to us. We read every mail and fix errors fast.
This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.