Give a brief account of manuscripts of India

Give a brief account of manuscripts of India.
OR
How were ideas and information written before the age of print in India?
Answer:

  • India had a very rich and old tradition of handwritten manuscripts—in Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian as well as in various vernacular languages.
  • Manuscripts were copied on palm leaves or on hand-made paper.
  • Pages were sometimes beautifully illustrated. They would be either pressed between wooden covers or sewn together to ensure preservation.
  • Manuscripts continued to be produced till well after the introduction of print, down to the late 19th century.
  • Manuscripts were highly expensive and fragile. They had to be handled carefully.