Ancient Indian manuscripts and other documents are getting a new lease of life by a Dubai-based, non-profit organisation.

Nearly 100,000 rare manuscripts in various languages and 15 million documents (mostly in Persian, Arabic and Urdu) as well as 5 million in English are being digitised by the Juma Al Majid Centre for Culture and Heritage in Dubai.

"The documents and manuscripts are from the south of India," said Dr Izzidin Bin Zeghiba, head of studies and publication at the centre.

"They belong to various eras and ages in Indian history and culture. A seven-member team that was appointed by the president of the centre is working in India on the restoration project."

The centre according to Dr Zeghiba launched a comprehensive study tour of major towns and villages in the south of India to get some insight on the number of manuscripts and documents that need to be restored.

"We visited 45 towns and villages and also got in touch with various Islamic institutions as well as other universities, colleges, scholars and academicians.

"The rarest manuscripts that we have come across are those written in Sanskrit on dried palm or coconut leaves.

"We came across them in Madras University, Medicine College in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh and Mysore museums and in archives in Karnataka," Dr Zeghiba said.

"The whole work is done with cooperation from the state and central government of India. Agreements are also signed with all the relevant parties involved.

"It will take us five to six years to restore the works on CDs. Once completed, a copy will be given to the respective universities, colleges and museums and archives. Copies of work restored on CDs will also be kept with the centre here," he said.

The original manuscripts and documents will be kept intact and will not be tampered with.

"In later stages, if required, we will also evaluate those documents and manuscripts and their condition. We plan to cover the whole of India, but the work will be carried out in phases.

"Irrespective of whether the ancient manuscripts are Islamic or non-Islamic our aim is to restore them and preserve them," Dr Zeghiba said.

Snapshot
A non-profit organisation

  • The Juma Al Majid Centre for Culture and Heritage in Dubai, non-profit organisation was established in 1988.
  • It is financed by permanent endowments from its founder and President Juma Al Majid.
  • About 70,000 original, photocopied and microfilmed manuscripts and documents are stored at the centre.