Telangana-Iran MoU for Digitisation and Preservation of Rare Manuscripts and Heritage Collections
On 15 June 2026, Telangana's Department of Heritage signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Iran's Noor International Microfilm Centre to digitise, preserve, and catalogue rare manuscripts, paintings, books, and archival records. Approximately 737 manuscripts, 3,091 paintings, 14,522 books, and 101 archival Dastawazats in Persian, Urdu, Arabic, and other languages will be covered. The Iran government funds the project, with experts conducting preservation work at no expense to Telangana. This initiative aims to create high-quality digital archives and improve access to heritage resources for researchers and future generations.
On this page
Key Facts
- On 15 June 2026, the Telangana Department of Heritage signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Noor International Microfilm Centre (NIMC), Iran Cultural House, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, New Delhi.
- The collaboration involves digitisation, preservation, conservation, and cataloguing of about 737 manuscripts, 3,091 paintings, 14,522 library books, and 101 Dastawazats (archival records).
- Collections include materials in Persian, Urdu, Arabic, and other languages.
- The Iranian government, through NIMC, funds the entire project and provides expert conservation and digitisation services free of charge to Telangana.
- Rare items digitised include Persian translations of the Ramayana and Bhagavata Mahapurana, Quranic verses on gold-coated paper, and a 10.5-meter-long royal scroll.
- Herbal technology is used for document restoration, aimed at extending the lifespan of manuscripts beyond 200 years.
Background & Context
Telangana possesses rich heritage collections across multiple dynasties such as the Bahmani, Qutb Shahi, Adil Shahi, and Mughal periods. The Telangana State Archives and Research Institute (TSARI) in Hyderabad holds more than 43 million documents, with approximately 80% in classical Persian and Urdu. In September 2022, TSARI had signed a related MoU with NIMC for conservation of Urdu and Persian manuscripts. Telangana is also actively participating in the national Gyan Bharatam Mission, launched by the Ministry of Culture in March 2026 to catalogue and digitise over one crore manuscripts across India.
Why This Matters for Exams / Exam Relevance
This agreement demonstrates important Indo-Iran cultural cooperation focused on heritage preservation, highlighting Telangana's significant role in safeguarding Indo-Persian manuscript heritage. Understanding the languages, dynasties, archival types, and modern restoration technologies is essential for questions related to culture, heritage conservation policies, Indo-Persian history, and government initiatives like Gyan Bharatam.
Points to Remember
- MoU signed on 15 June 2026 between Telangana Department of Heritage and Noor International Microfilm Centre, Iran.
- Manuscripts, paintings, books, and archival Dastawazats digitised and preserved.
- Materials in Persian, Urdu, Arabic; linked to dynasties such as Bahmani, Qutb Shahi, Adil Shahi, and Mughal.
- Entire funding borne by Iran; preservation uses herbal restoration technology.
- Telangana actively participates in Gyan Bharatam Mission, a national initiative launched in 2026.
Sources & Further Reading
| Document / Website | Link |
|---|---|
| Telangana-Iran agreement to digitise rare manuscripts | Open Telangana-Iran agreement to digitise rare manuscripts ↗www.gktoday.in |
| 737 manuscripts, 3,091 paintings and 14,522 books to be preserved, digitised under Telangana-Iran agreement - The Hindu | Open 737 manuscripts, 3,091 paintings and 14,522 books to be preserved, digitised under Telangana-Iran agreement - The Hindu ↗www.thehindu.com |
| Telangana archives race to preserve rare Persian, Urdu manuscripts | Open Telangana archives race to preserve rare Persian, Urdu manuscripts ↗m.dailyhunt.in |
| Gyan Bharatam Mission launched by Ministry of Culture (2026) | Open Gyan Bharatam Mission launched by Ministry of Culture (2026) ↗culture.gov.in |