Lok Sabha Question No. 1800 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Restoration of Ancient Indian Knowledge Centres
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Rao Rajendra Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1800

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

## RESTORATION OF ANCIENT INDIAN KNOWLEDGE CENTRES

## 1800. SHRI RAO RAJENDRA SINGH:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the  Government  has  information  on  the  ancient  knowledge  centres  that  have  survived various attempts of destruction by foreign invaders;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the Government  has  taken any steps to reconstruct/revamp/restore such ancient knowledge centres and to revive ancient knowledge systems in the country;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether any steps are being taken by the Government to promote research on ancient knowledge systems in the country; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) Ancient  knowledge  centers,  such  as  Nalanda,  Takshashila,  Vikramashila,  and  others,  faced
- & numerous attempts of destruction by foreign invaders. However, despite these attacks, knowledge
- (b) itself survived through various means:

## 1. Oral Tradition and Guru-Shishya Parampara

Many  ancient  educational  institutions  relied  heavily  on  oral  transmission  of  knowledge.  Even after  physical  centers  were  destroyed,  knowledge  was  preserved  by  scholars  and  passed  down through direct teacher-student relationships.

## 2. Migration of Scholars

When institutions like Nalanda and Vikramashila were attacked, scholars fled to different regions, taking  their  knowledge  with  them.  Many  migrated  to  South  India,  Tibet,  China,  and  Southeast Asia, ensuring that their teachings were preserved and spread.

## 3. Religious Institutions and Monasteries

Buddhist  and  Hindu  monasteries,  along  with  temples,  acted  as  secondary  knowledge  centers. Monks and scholars continued their work in secret or in other safe locations. For instance, Tibetan Buddhist monasteries preserved Indian texts and traditions when Buddhism declined in India.

## 4. Foreign Translations and Records

While invaders destroyed libraries, foreign travelers such as Xuanzang and Al-Biruni documented much of  India's  ancient  wisdom.  Many  Indian  texts  were  translated  into  Chinese,  Arabic,  and Persian, helping preserve knowledge outside India.

## 5 . Palm Leaf Manuscripts and Underground Libraries

Some  scholars  hid  manuscripts  in  remote  locations  or  underground  repositories.  Even  today, ancient texts continue to be discovered in temples and private collections.

## 6. Resurgence of Learning

Even  after  destruction,  India  saw  multiple  revivals  of  learning.  New  centers  of  knowledge emerged, such as Varanasi and Kanchipuram, continuing intellectual traditions.

## 7. Integration into Other Cultures

Indian  mathematical,  scientific,  and  philosophical  knowledge  was  absorbed  by  Islamic  and European scholars. Concepts like the decimal system and Ayurveda found their way into global civilizations, ensuring their survival despite institutional destruction.

Thus,  while  ancient  knowledge  centers  were  physically  attacked,  their  intellectual  and  cultural legacy endured through resilience, adaptation, and the widespread dissemination of knowledge.

(c) & The  Indira  Gandhi  National  Centre  for  the  Arts  (IGNCA)  has  undertaken  several  initiatives  to revive and restore India's ancient knowledge systems and centers:

(d)

## 1. Vedic Heritage Portal

Launched on March 27, 2023, the Vedic Heritage Portal is a significant project by the IGNCA aimed at preserving and disseminating the rich heritage of the Vedas. The portal offers access to over  550  hours  of  audio-visual  content,  including  more  than  18,000  Vedic  mantras.  It  features transcriptions of ancient texts such as the Vedas, Upanishads, Vedangas, Upavedas, and details of Vedic  rituals in both audio-visual formats. This initiative ensures that traditional  Vedic knowledge is  accessible  to  scholars,  practitioners,  and  the  general  public,  thereby  aiding  in  its preservation and propagation.

## 2. Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) Initiative

In  alignment  with  the  National  Education  Policy  2020,  the  IGNCA  supports  the  Indian Knowledge  Systems  (IKS)  initiative  under  the  Ministry  of  Education.  Established  in  October 2020,  the  IKS  division  focuses  on  integrating  traditional  Indian  knowledge  into  contemporary education.  This  includes  incorporating  subjects  like  Vedic  mathematics,  Ayurveda,  yoga,  and ancient  Indian  sciences  into  university  curricula.  Collaborations  with  institutions  such  as  IITs have led to the introduction of courses and research programs that explore the therapeutic values of Indian music and other indigenous knowledge systems.

## 3. Project 'Mausam'

IGNCA's  Project  'Mausam'  is  a  multidisciplinary  initiative  that  seeks  to  revive  and  strengthen ancient historical maritime cultural and economic ties among countries along the Indian Ocean. By  documenting  and  celebrating  shared  knowledge  systems  and  ideas  that  spread  along  these routes, the project  aims  to  rekindle  long-lost  connections  and  promote  new  avenues  of cooperation and exchange.

## 4. Academic Programs and Research

The  IGNCA  offers  various  academic  programs,  including  Postgraduate  Diploma  courses,  that delve into India's arts, culture, and traditional knowledge systems. Through research, publications, and training,  the center  emphasizes  a  multidisciplinary  approach  to  understanding  and  reviving ancient practices and philosophies.

Through  these  initiatives,  the  IGNCA  plays  a  pivotal  role  in  reconstructing,  revamping,  and restoring India's ancient knowledge centers and systems, ensuring their relevance and continuity in contemporary times.

(e) & The  Indira  Gandhi  National  Centre  for  the  Arts  (IGNCA)  has  undertaken  several  initiatives  to promote research on ancient knowledge systems in India:

(f)

## 1. Divisional Research Initiatives

IGNCA's organizational structure includes specialized divisions that focus on various aspects of India's cultural heritage:

Kalanidhi: Serves as a repository of research and reference materials in humanities and the arts, amassing a vast collection of textual, visual, and auditory data to support scholarly research.

Kalakosa:  Engages  in  research  and  publication,  investigating intellectual traditions across multiple disciplines, thereby enriching the understanding of ancient knowledge systems.

Janapada Sampada: Dedicated to lifestyle studies, this division conducts systematic research on tribal and  folk  arts, facilitating  live  presentations  and  fostering  a  deeper  appreciation  of indigenous knowledge.

Kaladarsana: Transforms research findings into visible forms through exhibitions, making ancient knowledge accessible to the public and encouraging further scholarly inquiry.

Cultural Informatics Laboratory: Applies technology tools for cultural preservation and propagation, including the development of 'Kalāsampadā', a digital repository encompassing rare archival collections.

## 2. Regional Centers

To decentralize research and promote regional  cultural studies,  IGNCA  has established  centers across  India,  including  in  Varanasi,  Guwahati,  Bengaluru,  Ranchi,  Puducherry,  Thrissur,  Goa, Vadodara,  and  Srinagar.  These  centers  focus  on  local  art  forms,  traditions,  and  knowledge systems, facilitating region-specific research and preservation efforts.

## 3. Collaborative Research Projects

IGNCA collaborates with various national and international institutions to conduct interdisciplinary research projects.

## 4. Publications and Dissemination

The  center  publishes  research  findings,  glossaries,  dictionaries,  and  encyclopedias  related  to ancient  knowledge  systems.  These  publications  serve  as  valuable  resources  for  scholars  and researchers worldwide, contributing to the global discourse on India's rich intellectual traditions.

Through these comprehensive initiatives, IGNCA plays a pivotal role in promoting research on ancient knowledge systems, ensuring their preservation and continuity.

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