The Wiki Loves Documentation – Assam Chapter project has been carried out with a focus on preserving and sharing Assam's cultural heritage through the Wikimedia platform. The project began in December 2024 with a systematic approach to documenting Assam's rich cultural heritage. The efforts were carried out in collaboration with local communities, historians, and cultural institutions. A core aspect of the project was the identification and digitization of rare manuscripts, books, and cultural artifacts, followed by their uploading to Wikimedia Commons to make them freely accessible. Interviews with local historians, community members, and prominent individuals were also conducted to capture oral histories that provide deeper context to the artifacts. Local volunteers were trained to help photograph the manuscripts, ensuring the preservation of these cultural treasures while making them available to the global public. The team worked closely with GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) coordinators to facilitate access to collections and align with Wikimedia's global mission.
The project covered multiple locations within Assam, focusing on regions with rich cultural and historical significance. We have covered Jorhat District, Lakhimpur Discrit, Charaideu District, and Nagaon District.
Outcome
The Wiki Loves Documentation – Assam Chapter project achieved several key outcomes in its mission to preserve and share Assam’s cultural heritage. A significant number of ancient manuscripts, religious texts, and local books, were successfully digitized and made publicly available on Wikimedia Commons. This ensured free access to these valuable resources, allowing scholars and the public to engage with Assam's history and culture. Additionally, the project captured numerous oral histories from local community members, enriching the documentation with personal stories and insights into the region's socio-cultural evolution. The project fostered increased community engagement and awareness, encouraging locals to actively participate in preserving their heritage.
Challenges Faced
Despite the project’s success, several challenges emerged throughout its execution. One of the main hurdles was the limited availability of resources for advanced preservation techniques, which made it difficult to ensure long-term protection for some fragile manuscripts. Access to certain rare collections and private holdings also posed challenges, as some institutions and individuals were hesitant to share their materials. Moreover, digitizing delicate materials required special handling, and in some cases, manuscripts were too fragile to undergo frequent handling without risking damage. Language and cultural barriers also complicated the documentation process, as some manuscripts were written in regional dialects or archaic languages, requiring additional efforts to interpret and preserve their meanings accurately.
Future Planning
Looking ahead, the project plans to expand its scope by reaching more remote and underserved areas of Assam. This will involve engaging with additional communities and cultural institutions to document more of the region’s untapped heritage. To sustain and enhance the project’s impact, there will be a greater focus on training and capacity-building efforts, enabling more volunteers and community members to contribute to the preservation process. The project also aims to collaborate with more GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) institutions to gain access to broader collections. In terms of preservation, the project will explore partnerships and funding opportunities to implement advanced preservation methods, ensuring that Assam’s cultural heritage remains safeguarded for future generations. Additionally, efforts will be made to raise global awareness of Assam’s heritage through ongoing promotion and by increasing the visibility of the digitized materials across various platforms.
During the initial phase of the project, several key design elements were created to establish a strong identity and ensure a cohesive visual representation of the initiative. Nayan took the initiative to create a logo that is unique in all aspects, being the core brand of the project, reflecting the mission and values of the same. To create a sense of unity and team spirit, a customized design of hoodies was designed for the project team members, which defined their inclusion and commitment. The team also had an attractive banner that explained the project to a larger audience as well. These early-stage design elements put in efforts to create a solid foundation for the project's identity and its future success.
Logo of Wiki Loves Manuscript Assam chapter
A meta page was created to serve as an informative hub, providing a detailed overview of the project for all those who might be interested a comprehensive description of the scope and objectives of the project.
Further, a detailed questionnaire was prepared to guide the interviews conducted during the project. This questionnaire was designed to gather comprehensive information about each manuscript, its history, and the context in which it was preserved. It included questions about the manuscript's origin, the significance of the text, any known historical events associated with it, and details about the family or community that has been safeguarding the manuscript. By addressing these aspects, the questionnaire helped document the broader cultural and historical significance of the manuscripts, providing valuable insights into their journey through time and ensuring that every important detail was preserved for future reference.
A formal event was organized to officially announce and celebrate the Wiki Loves Documentation initiative, a significant step towards preserving and sharing valuable cultural heritage. The event was attended by distinguished persons from the Kaliabor, along with members of the Kaliabor Sahitya Sabha, gathered to take part in the proceedings. This event not only marked the formal launch of the Wiki Loves Documentation project but also reinforced the community’s role in preserving and promoting its cultural heritage.
The program kicked off with a detailed overview of the Wiki Loves Documentation project, which aims to digitize and preserve manuscripts, for the benefit of future generations. As part of the event, interviews were conducted with all attendees, capturing their personal insights and recollections about the manuscripts and the cultural significance of the local heritage. These interviews provide a deeper understanding of the community’s connection to their history and traditions. During the event, all participants were felicitated for their invaluable contributions to the preservation of the region’s heritage.
One of the highlights of the program was a speech by the Ratuleswar (Ranjan) Goswami, the owner of these manuscripts. He shared with the audience the rich history of the place and the manuscript itself. These manuscripts are carefully preserved by him and his family over the years. Their dedication to safeguarding these cultural treasures was acknowledged and celebrated during the event.
Among the manuscripts showcased was a Xaasi manuscript, titled Kirtan Puthi (কীৰ্তন পুথি), along with another important manuscript, Sri Sri Gopal aatar charitra (গুৰুচৰিতকাৰ ৰাম গোপাল ৰচিত ভাটী আতাখ্যাত 'শ্ৰী শ্ৰী গোপাল আতাৰ চৰিত্ৰ'), both of which were photographed as part of the preservation effort. After digitization, the images of the manuscripts were formatted into PDFs and uploaded to Wikimedia Commons, a platform that provides free, public access to educational materials. This ensures that these texts remain accessible for both academic study and public viewing.
How?:
A collection of ancient manuscripts were found in the monastery's library along with other books. The preservation of the manuscripts is done traditionally. While resources for advanced preservation are limited, the library ensures that the manuscripts are well-maintained and preserved with great care by the library. The manuscripts have been stored in a controlled environment to minimize deterioration. The manuscripts are carefully kept in almirah to shield them from dust, moisture, and direct sunlight. Although the monastery once housed a much larger number of manuscripts, several had been taken by scholars over the years and, unfortunately, had not been returned. This served as a poignant reminder of the fragility of cultural heritage and the importance of preserving these texts for future generations.
Our team added to the protection and availability of the manuscripts were recorded by high-quality images. After digitization, the images of the manuscripts were formatted into PDFs and uploaded to Wikimedia Commons, a platform that provides free, public access to educational materials. This ensures that both scholars and the general public can freely access and study these valuable texts without the risk of damaging the original manuscripts.
In addition to preserving the manuscripts physically and digitally, interviews with local historians and community members were conducted to capture the stories and experiences that enrich the cultural context of these manuscripts. One notable interview with Pyoseng Chowlu provided valuable insights into the community and its efforts in maintaining the community-driven reserve forest. These narratives highlight the deep connection between the villagers and their environment, showcasing their long-standing commitment to sustainability and conservation. The insights gained from such interviews offer essential perspectives into the socio-cultural evolution of the community, reinforcing the importance of preserving both tangible and intangible heritage.
The first phase of the manuscript preservation project, conducted in December 2024, focused on the identification, documentation, and initial digitization of rare manuscripts held in Balijan Shyamgaon (Titabor, Jorhat District). This phase began with the careful photographing of the first manuscript, which revealed the immense cultural and spiritual significance these texts hold for the villagers, who have protected them for generations. The community's reverence for these manuscripts underscores their historical and spiritual importance, making their preservation a crucial undertaking both academically and culturally.
A particularly intriguing find was an unverified manuscript, a golden kammawara (a religious book), reportedly gifted to the Balijan Buddhist temple around 300 years ago by the Burmese general Mingimaha Bandula as a token of love and friendship. The Balijan monastery has since become a major pilgrimage spot for Buddhists in Northeast India, holding a central place in the region's cultural and spiritual identity.
This manuscript represents a tangible link to the past, raising questions about its journey and the circumstances under which it was entrusted to the village. Its discovery highlights the need for further research and expert verification to ascertain its authenticity and historical relevance.
The first phase of the manuscript preservation project, conducted in January 2025. During this phase, valuable oral histories were also documented. One villager shared the story of their ancestors, recounting how they came to settle in Titabor and their connection to the region’s historical landscape. These narratives offer essential insights into the community's socio-cultural evolution and further emphasize the importance of preserving both the physical artifacts and the oral traditions that define the village's rich heritage.
Location: Sri Sri Basudev Than Narowa Satra, Dhakuakhana, Lakhimpur District, Assam. The satra was established during the Vaishnavite Renaissance in Assam. The Satra has long been a repository of rare manuscripts and inscriptions that reflect the region's spiritual and literary heritage.
How?:
A team of three member from our project visited the Satra to document its heritage and assess the condition of its archival materials. This visit unearthed several valuable and rare manuscripts, along with a copperplate inscription, providing a deeper insight into the Satra’s historical significance.
During a discussion with the Satradhikar (head of the Satra), it came to light that many manuscripts from the Satra have been lost over the years. This loss has largely occurred due to individuals borrowing the manuscripts for research or ritualistic purposes and failing to return them. Such losses have significantly impacted the Satra’s archival integrity and the cultural knowledge it represents.
Among the significant findings was a copperplate inscription unearthed during pond excavations within the Satra's premises. While this artifact is a testament to the region’s rich past, its condition is far from ideal. A considerable portion of the engraved text has succumbed to corrosion, posing challenges for historians attempting to decipher its complete narrative. Preliminary observations suggest that the inscription could shed light on historical events, land grants, or religious practices associated with the Satra, making its preservation a matter of urgency.
A particularly remarkable discovery was a fragment of an exceedingly rare manuscript titled Korkeni, written in the modern Kaithali script. This manuscript holds immense linguistic and literary value, representing a unique facet of the region’s intellectual history. Unfortunately, only pages 26 to 30 of the manuscript have survived, leaving the total number of pages in the original work unknown. The content of the existing pages provides a tantalizing glimpse into a bygone era, but the incomplete nature of the manuscript underscores the urgency of its preservation.
Recognizing the fragility of Korkeni and its cultural significance, our team has initiated a digitization project to preserve the surviving text. Digitization involves creating high-resolution digital images of the manuscript, which will be cataloged and stored in a secure database. This process will:
Prevent further physical deterioration of the original manuscript.
Facilitate academic research and public access to the text without risking damage to the original.
Serve as a foundation for potential restoration and reconstruction efforts.
Additionally, efforts are underway to trace references to Korkeni in other historical records to piece together its broader context and significance.
Followup plan:
The discovery of rare manuscripts and inscriptions at Basudev Than Narwa Satra underscores the importance of sustained efforts in heritage conservation. The Satradhikar's enthusiastic cooperation was highly commendable, and we discussed the potential for future collaborations, recognizing the immense value of the manuscripts housed at this site. He graciously assured us of his continued support and assistance in our future endeavors.
Governmental Intervention and Conservation Efforts
Acknowledging the importance of safeguarding this heritage, the Government of Assam, in collaboration with the Archaeological Department, has taken proactive measures to protect the remaining manuscripts. These include:
Specialized Training: Training programs for the Satra’s office bearers, focusing on modern conservation practices and the importance of proper manuscript handling and storage.
Manuscript Preservation Initiatives: Implementation of improved preservation methods, including climate-controlled storage, digitization, and cataloging. These measures aim to curb further deterioration and prevent additional losses, ensuring that these historical treasures are preserved for future generations.
.png)
When and Where?:
The project was conducted in three phases:
How?:
Followup plan:
Learning:
