JAMMU, Nov 7: Senior BJP leader Raman Suri today hailed the inclusion of Kalhana’s historic Rajatarangini in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register, describing the recognition as a moment of immense pride for Jammu and Kashmir and the entire country.
Suri said the international recognition has brought global attention to Kashmir’s centuries-old contributions to history, literature, knowledge and intellectual traditions. He observed that Jammu and Kashmir is not merely known for its natural beauty and tourism but also holds a significant place in India’s ancient civilisation and scholarly heritage.
Describing Rajatarangini as one of the most remarkable works of Indian historical literature, Suri said that the 12th-century chronicle written by Kashmiri historian Kalhana provides a detailed account of Kashmir’s political history, social life, culture and traditions.
He said what makes the work exceptional is Kalhana’s attempt to document historical events with fairness, objectivity and factual accuracy at a time when systematic historical documentation was relatively uncommon.
According to Suri, Kalhana demonstrated that history should not simply glorify rulers but should also honestly record their achievements, failures and conduct. This approach makes Rajatarangini an invaluable source for understanding Kashmir’s past and an important contribution to Indian historiography.
Suri also welcomed the recognition of a nearly 400-year-old Mahabharata manuscript written on Bhojpatra (birch bark) and a rare manuscript of Kautilya’s Arthashastra, preserved at the Oriental Research Library in Srinagar.
He said these manuscripts represent India’s rich literary, philosophical and cultural traditions and reflect Jammu and Kashmir’s deep intellectual connections with the country’s wider civilisational heritage.
Calling the UNESCO recognition a collective achievement, Suri urged the government, educational institutions, historians and society to make concerted efforts towards preserving and promoting the region’s historical treasures.
He also stressed the need to encourage younger generations to study the works of Kalhana and other great scholars so that they remain connected with their cultural and intellectual roots.
He said the recognition serves as a reminder that Kashmir’s greatest strength also lies in its intellectual heritage, which deserves to be protected, studied and presented before the world with pride.