Jitendra B. Shah is a scholar of Indian philosophical systems, in particular Jain philosophy, and is well versed in Sanskrit, Pali and Prakrit. He has vast experience in manuscriptology. He started his career as Director of Shardaben Educational Research Center in 1992, then from 1998 to 2019 was Director of L.D. Institute of Indology, and continues to be its Academic Director. He was also attached to the National Mission for Manuscripts of Government of India. He has authored 12 books, more than 150 research articles, and has delivered lectures in Indological institutes across India. He has also helped organize Jain manuscripts in many Libraries. He is attached to the American Institute of Indian Studies, Delhi, and B.L. Institute of Indology, Delhi.

Abstract of the lecture: “Manuscript Traditions of India and Transmission of knowledge”

India’s ancient knowledge, beginning with the Vedas, was preserved and transmitted through a tradition of hearing and remembrance, later through the art of writing. Writing was initially done on stone, then on palm-leaves or tree bark, and still later on paper. The history of art of writing and manuscripts is the history of our knowledge. Manuscripts were composed not just for religious or spiritual knowledge, but also for other branches of knowledge such as science, architecture, medicine, governance, etc. This lecture will deal with several aspects of manuscripts and the art of writing in India.