PATNA : Bihar has more than 30,000 identified manuscripts that are over 300 years old.

The oldest manuscript the state has is a handwritten text on a handmade paper of 29.7"X16.7" on 'History of Persia'. Written by Mohammed Ali in Arabic and Persian languages, this manuscript dates back to 1154AD. It has 111 folios and it is in Nastaliq script. "It was during a search at the library of Patna Museum in 2011 that this ancient manuscript was found by the museum authorities. They handed it over to a manuscript conservation unit of the National Mission for Manuscripts India (NAMAMI), a central government's initiative to conserve manuscripts.

In the absence of record keeping, the museum has no information about the exact place of discovery of the manuscript. "It was donated by a scholar," said Vibhas Kumar, an official associated with manuscript conservation.

Another rare manuscript in the state, 549 years old, is 'Vishnu Purana' written in Maithili by Pakshadhar Mishra. This Mithilakshar script is written on palm leaves. It was in tatters when it was found by NAMAMI in the library of Patna Museum last year. Processed for curation, this manuscript with 428 folios (856 pages) is now preserved at the Patna Museum. This is incomplete as its folio number 171 is missing.

NAMAMI, set up in February 2012, has started relocating the old manuscripts in the state to ensure their conservation. "Once the manuscript is spotted, it's photographed on-site. It then undergoes preventive, curative or restoration process, depending on its condition," Kumar said.

The cupboards, where these manuscripts wrapped in cotton clothes are shelved, are given anti-termite treatment every month and 'neem' leaves and silica gel are kept nearby to prevent insect attacks.

