Rare 326-year-old handwritten manuscripts documented in Chhattisgarh’s Baloda Bazar-Bhatapara district under Gyan Bharatam National Survey

Raipur April 28, 2026/ In a find that adds depth to Central India’s documented intellectual history, a set of 326-year-old handwritten manuscripts has been identified and digitised at the Sadhguru Kabir Ashram in Damakheda, located in Simga block of Chhattisgarh’s Balodabazaar-Bhatapara district. The discovery has emerged from the ongoing Gyan Bharatam National Manuscript Survey, an initiative aimed at mapping the presence of manuscripts across India and laying the groundwork for their systematic preservation, research, and digitisation.

The exercise, carried out under the guidance of District Collector Shri Kuldeep Sharma, has brought into focus a body of work that dates back to 1700 AD. Beyond their religious significance, the manuscripts reflect a sustained tradition of knowledge writing in the region, preserved across generations.

Four ancient texts were documented at the site. These include Anurag Sagar, Ambu Sagar, Deepak Sagar, and Gyan Prakash. All four works, written in Devanagari and attributed to the ninth Acharya Pragat Naam Saheb, stand as records of the region’s literary tradition. The manuscripts have been digitised using the “Gyan Bharatam” mobile application in the presence of the village sarpanch.

Meanwhile, the survey has also led to another important archival recovery. At the Sonakhan Museum, officials documented a manuscript dated 10 December 1857. It records the execution order issued by the British administration against Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh, recognised as Chhattisgarh’s first freedom fighter. The document serves as direct evidence of his martyrdom during the early phase of the freedom struggle.

Collector Shri Kuldeep Sharma has urged residents to come forward if they possess handwritten manuscripts, copper plates, or palm-leaf records. He clarified that ownership of original documents will remain with individuals or institutions, and only digital copies will be created for preservation. The “Gyan Bharatam” initiative aims to preserve India’s intellectual and cultural heritage for future generations, and he has appealed to citizens to take part in the campaign.