Ancient Indian Manuscripts on Palm Leaves: History, Craft, and Conservation Technique

Paper was invented in China in about the 2nd century BCE. Block printing was invented in that land in about the 8th century, and printing from movable type in the 11th century. These technologies gradually spread to other parts of Asia and eventually to Europe. In India, traditional writing materials and methods continued to be used for many centuries. However, a unique and enduring aspect of Indian history is the use of palm leaves for manuscript writing. These ancient Indian manuscripts, known as talapatra in Sanskrit and olai in Tamil, hold a significant place in our cultural heritage. 

Here is a description of how such manuscripts were usually made: 

• The leaf used was either from the talipot palm (Corypha umbraculifera; tali in both Sanskrit and Tamil) or the palmyra palm (Borassus flabelliformis, Sanskrit tala, Tamil panai). The talipot leaf is larger, thinner, more flexible, and more durable than the palmyra. Talipot leaves may measure about 90 x 8-9 cm, and the palmyra ones about 50 x 3-4 cm. 
• The selected leaves were cut to the right shape and size with utmost precision. 
• They were then pierced in one, two, or three places (on the left, middle, and right top). 
• A string was woven through these holes and then wound around the leaves, a process that required great attention to detail. 
• The cover of the palm leaf manuscript was made of wood, dry palm petioles, or, in rare cases, ivory, showcasing the craftsmanship and dedication of the scribes. 
• The writer engraved letters on the leaf with a stylus (a pointed, pen-like object). 
• The leaf was then smeared with soot or powdered charcoal mixed with vegetable juice so that the black mixture filled the grooves and the writing was easy to read. The letters ran parallel to the length of the leaves. In some cases where the leaf was very long or when the text was in verse, the words were written in two or three columns. If there was a commentary, it was usually written above, below, or sometimes around the text. Page numbers were often given in the right margin. 

Palm leaf manuscripts, despite their historical significance, were vulnerable to many natural hazards such as heat, insects, water, fungus, dust, fire, and the danger of destruction by human hands. This vulnerability underscores the importance of the meticulous preservation efforts. Scribes kept the manuscript tradition alive by repeatedly making copies of old manuscripts. This vibrant tradition started declining around the 19th century with the coming of the printing press. 

There are particular techniques for treating and preserving old palm-leaf manuscripts. 

First, the manuscript is fumigated or treated with insecticides (e.g., thymol, chloro-mate solution, formaldehyde, pho-sphene gas, or ethylene oxide). The leaves are then cleaned using water, detergents, or ethyl alcohol. Next, any split, broken, or damaged portions are repaired. This can be done using special, thin paper and a water-soluble mixture, including small quantities of polyvinyl acetate and methylcellulose. Once the repairs are complete, the leaves are oiled to make them flexible and polished gently with a soft, dry cloth. They can then be restrung, and the covers are attached. The repaired manuscript must be stored carefully to protect it from any fresh damage. 

The discovery, preservation, and care of ancient manuscripts are crucial to the preservation of historical heritage. Thousands of old manuscripts exist in various parts of the subcontinent whose contents have not yet been studied or published. It is impossible to estimate how many have been destroyed and how many are waiting to be discovered. 

A Palm leaf manuscript in the proto-Bangla script, c.12^th century

Ref: A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India by Upinder Singh