A huge collection of more than 30,000 manuscripts consisting of Hindu, Buddhist and Tibetan compositions relating to geographical history, culture, ayurveda and tantra, have been lying at the National Archive of the Department of Archeology (DoA). But, they are in a sorry state. Due to the absence of experts who can restore the manuscripts, these ancient texts of great significance are crumbling day by day.
“We also have manuscripts of the seventh century that are rarely available in other countries,” shares Raju Rimal, a research officer at National Archive. “All these manuscripts are very valuable for our country and they should be protected.”
The archive has manuscripts written in 11 different scripts like Newari, Uttar-Lichchhavi, Ranjana, Tibetan, Sanskrit, Bengali and Maithili, among others. It also possesses 20,000 documents under various topics such as Shaya Mohar, Lal Mohor, Sawals, Sandhipatras, Ek-chappes, Dwi-chappes, Chitthipatras.
The library has four sections: administrative, archival, manuscript and preservation. And the rare manuscripts and documents are collected according to their nature in every section.
According to the international standard, such manuscripts and documents should be kept in archival boxes that are designed to resist worm infestations. Such boxes protect manuscripts from insects and other types of damages.
But at the archive, manuscripts and documents are kept bundled in normal red clothes. As a result, more than 100 pages of manuscripts have already been destroyed and some of them are detached from the bundles because of fungus infestations.
“We do not have budget for archival boxes,” says Rimal. “Such boxes could prevent our manuscripts from getting damaged by fungus attack.”
Though the archive has a laboratory set up to treat manuscripts affected by fungus, the work has suffered as there is no qualified manuscript chemist to perform the task. The post has been lying vacant.
“It hard to make a diagnosis of the damages suffered by manuscripts without experienced and highly qualified manuscript chemist,” says Manita Neupane, the head of Investigation Section at the archive. “Every time there´s a problem we have to call our retired chemist, and that, too, is not possible all the time because of our limited budget.”
There are 37 people assigned to the library and some of the posts are still vacant. According to them, they are facing multiple challenges in preserving the manuscripts because of the limited manpower, limited budget and lack of trained people.
“I am the only person in the research department, which makes my work more difficult and tiresome," adds Neupane.
The National Archive was established in 1967 under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. According to Archives Preservation Act of 1989, all ministries should submit documents that are over 25 years old to the Archive for preservation.
“But none of the ministries have submitted any important thing to us,” says Neupane. “The act is yet to be enforced.”
Plans afoot for upgrading National Archive
In a bid to upgrade the National Archive (NA) into a government department, a committee was formed on April 29, 2013 with representation from the Department of Archeology (Do A), Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and Ministry of General Administration(MoGA).
“It will enable us to seek support from concerned authorities when needed," said Manita Neupane, the research head of the Archive.
According to Neupane, the committee is conducting various studies on how to improve the National Archive as the first step, which would be followed by paper work. The committee is led by Bharat Raj Raut, under-secretary at the DoA.
Though the archive informs the concerned authorities about several problems it has been facing, the response is generally very slow.
According to the archive, it has to wait for a long time to get a solution from the concerned ministry. That´s one reason why the Archive has been urging that it be upgraded into a department.
“After that we will have enough budget to carry out developmental works on our own,” Neupane says.
"We need manuscript chemist soon"
Prakash Darnal
Chief of National Archives
Why is National Archive in such a sorry state?
There are many reasons behind it. The manpower and budget crunch are the main reasons. The post of chemist has been vacant for the last four years. The concerned authorities have not provided us a chemist. As a result, important manuscripts are affected by fungus and soon they may lose their value. Secondly, we have postings of 37 staff, but we are currently short of 10 employees. And we always have to manage with limited budget as the government treats us less important office.
What should be done to address these problems?
Firstly, a manuscript chemist should be provided to us as soon as possible. Secondly, the government should understand the importance the archive holds for the nation and allocate us sufficient budget.
Which one among palm leaves, documentaries and microfilms are facing immediate danger?
Since manuscripts in palm leaves dating to 7th century are already in weak condition. While storing them they get folded, bent and are at the risk of damage. We also have to protect them from fungus attack.
What are your upcoming plans?
Recently, a committee has been formed that is tasked with upgrading the archive into a government department, which is also mentioned in the guidelines of Natural Cultural Policy, 2066. And hopefully this will help us to solve our present problems. We are also conducting various studies for improving the library.
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