#indianknowledgesystems

India possesses one of the richest manuscript traditions in the world, preserving ancient knowledge on medicine, astronomy, mathematics, philosophy, and literature. Among the many forgotten scripts, the Tigalari Script has recently gained attention due to initiatives aimed at preserving India’s traditional knowledge systems. With the support of institutions and government programs such as the Gyan Bharatam Mission, efforts are underway to decode and digitize invaluable manuscripts for future generations.

What Is Tigalari Script?

The Tigalari Script is an ancient writing system historically used in the coastal regions of Karnataka, particularly around Udupi and surrounding areas. It was widely used for writing Sanskrit texts, Ayurveda manuscripts, and religious literature.

The script gradually lost prominence over time because of the rise of modern writing systems. As a result, numerous historical manuscripts written in Tigalari remain unread and inaccessible to modern scholars.

Important Characteristics of the Script

Ancient script of coastal Karnataka

Mainly used for Sanskrit and scholarly texts

Preserved in palm-leaf manuscripts

Holds historical and cultural significance

India’s Rich Manuscript Heritage

India is often considered a treasure house of manuscripts. Estimates suggest that the country has more than 50 lakh manuscripts, making it one of the largest collections globally.

Major Scripts Used in Ancient Indian Manuscripts

Devanagari

Sharada

Grantha

Modi

Tigalari

Vattezhuthu

Old Kannada Script

These manuscripts contain information across multiple fields including Ayurveda, astronomy, medicine, mathematics, and philosophy.

However, many challenges continue to threaten this manuscript heritage.

Challenges in Preserving Manuscripts

Some major challenges include:

Script unfamiliarity

Physical deterioration of manuscripts

Lack of digitization

Large amounts of unpublished knowledge

Without proper preservation measures, valuable traditional knowledge may be permanently lost.

What Is Transliteration and Why Is It Important?

Transliteration refers to converting text from one script into another while maintaining the original language and meaning.

Examples

Tigalari Script → Devanagari Script

Old Kannada → Modern Kannada

Importance of Transliteration

Transliteration plays a significant role because it:

Makes ancient texts understandable

Helps researchers access hidden knowledge

Preserves traditional sciences

Supports digital archiving and documentation

Through transliteration, forgotten manuscripts can become accessible to scholars and the general public.

Role of Gyan Bharatam Mission in Knowledge Preservation

The Gyan Bharatam Mission is a government initiative focused on protecting and promoting India’s traditional knowledge systems.

Objectives of Gyan Bharatam Mission

The mission aims to:

Preserve India’s knowledge traditions

Digitize ancient manuscripts

Promote Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS)

Integrate traditional wisdom with modern education

Focus Areas

Ayurveda

Sanskrit literature

Astronomy

Mathematics

Philosophy

Medicine

Conclusion

There’s been a major announcement from the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) that’s poised to change how Class 9 students experience Social Science in school. NCERT is set to release a completely revised Social Science textbook for Class 9 with a strong focus on Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS). This isn’t just a simple update; it marks a deeper transformation in how history, culture, society, and knowledge are taught to young learners in India. Education experts are describing this as a meaningful departure from the older, largely event‑driven and chronological curriculum toward something rooted in cultural context and inquiry‑based learning.

What’s Different in the New Books

The central idea behind the new Class 9 Social Science books is to shift away from rote memorisation of dates and events. Instead, students will explore India’s rich civilisational history, intellectual achievements, cultural traditions, and philosophical contributions. The syllabus highlights life beyond textbook timelines, encouraging students to understand how Indian society evolved through its own knowledge systems rather than just reading lists of rulers or battles.

Under this framework, students are expected to study:

Traditional Indian philosophies and wisdom traditions that shaped societal values.

Contributions in mathematics, science, medicine, architecture, and agriculture developed within the Indian context.

Cultural expressions like classical music, art, and literature that reflect India’s varied heritage.

Social and political life through the lens of historical Indian ethos, including concepts such as unity in diversity.

Deep reflections on social issues like inequality, justice, inclusion, and harmony in both historical and contemporary contexts.

This approach, as envisioned, pushes learners to think and analyse rather than simply memorise events. The curriculum also integrates inquiry‑driven classroom activities that require critical engagement with content.

Why This Matters

This reform is part of a broader national move to align school education with the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023. These frameworks emphasise holistic understanding, experiential learning, and recognising India’s indigenous knowledge systems as an essential part of education. Earlier textbooks had often been structured around a chronological flow of historical events, which critics said made learning feel like memorising a long sequence of disconnected facts. The new books aim to put context before chronology one of the most significant pedagogical shifts in recent years.

Educators point out that this isn’t just about telling students more about the past; it’s about helping them see how traditional knowledge shaped everyday life, scientific thinking, social structures, and cultural practices. By integrating these perspectives into core subjects, the curriculum seeks to make learning relevant to students’ lived experiences.

Broader Impact on Education

While Class 9 is just one grade, this shift could set precedents for textbook design across other classes. The emphasis on Indian Knowledge Systems aligns with changes already seen in lower classes where indigenous traditions, medicinal systems like Ayurveda, and local cultural expressions are being woven into the curriculum. The result is a more inclusive and pluralistic way of teaching Social Science, one that merges academic rigour with cultural depth.

It’s worth noting that the broader NCERT textbook reform has been part of a multi‑year effort. Past revisions in other classes have reshaped how history and civics are presented, with curriculum designers seeking to balance traditional knowledge with modern educational needs. This context helps us understand that the Class 9 overhaul doesn’t exist in isolation but as part of an ongoing redesign of the educational landscape.

What Students and Parents Should Know

For students, this means new learning experiences that go beyond memorising dates for exams. Teachers will need to adopt more discussion‑based, analytical teaching methods that invite students to ask questions, investigate sources, and relate historical concepts to living traditions or current realities. For parents, it’s a chance to engage with learners in conversations about their cultural heritage and how knowledge developed over centuries.

🎥 Sustainability and Mental Health: Insights from Indian Knowledge Systems 🌱

In this episode of the IIOS Podcast, we welcome Dr. Shruti Neeraj, a clinical psychologist with 20+ years of experience in the UK. Dr. Neeraj discusses how environmental changes affect mental health and how Indian knowledge systems like yoga and the Bhagavad Gita can create sustainable mental health models.

✅ Key Takeaways:

Impact of environmental changes on physical and mental health.

Integrating Indian psychology into mental health practices.

Training rural students to serve their communities.

Creating sustainable mental health interventions through ancient Indian wisdom.

🔗 Why It Matters: Explore how Indian traditions can contribute to sustainable mental healthcare, especially in underserved rural areas.