Guardians of History: India's Manuscript Trove

In the historic lanes behind Delhi's Turkman Gate, a family has become the dedicated custodians of nearly 600 ancient manuscripts. These priceless documents, written in Arabic, Persian, and Urdu, range from 100 to 800 years old. Scholars frequently visit to study rare nuskhas, particularly those focusing on Islamic studies and Sufism.

Handling these fragile paper manuscripts requires extreme care. Ubada, a postgraduate in Arabic and Islamic studies, explains the delicate preservation methods. The family carefully exposes the books to sunlight as a measure to prevent decay, ensuring these historical treasures endure for future generations.