Descriptive Catalogue of Sanskrit Manuscripts in Tanjore Vol 05

SR No.: 020230
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: P P S Shastri
Publisher: Government of Madras
Publication Year: 1929
Total Pages: 525
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Catalogue
File Size: 19 MB

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cripts in Indian Libraries and the framing of printed lists or catalogues of the same. (Proceedings of the Government of India in the Home Department (Public), No. 4388-48, dated Simla, 3rd November 1868).
In respect of magnitude as well as the range of subjects dealt with, not to speak of the diversity of languages employed, the Tanjore Library is probably second to none among Oriental Libraries in India.
In December of the same year, the Government of Madras asked Mr. Pickford, Professor of Sanskrit, to carry out the instructions of the Government of India. He commenced to catalogue the manuscripts at Tanjore; but he fell seriously ill and had to return to Europe in March 1870 and never came back to India. It is not known how much he had done as his unfinished catalogues could not be found. (Letter from the Professor of Sanskrit, Presidency College, Madras, to the Chief Secretary to the Government of Madras, 22nd May 1876, and Letter No. 1560, dated Madras, 7th June 1877, from the Director of Public Intruction, Madras to the Chief Secretary to the Government of Madras).
Thereupon Dr. Burnell, District and Sessions Judge, was appointed in G. O. No. 71, dated 16th March 1871, to catalogue the Sanskrit Library at Tanjore. That learned scholar devoted a great deal of research and labour to the task and his catalogue which he styled "A Classified Index to the Sanskrit Manuscripts in the Palace at Tanjore," was published in three parts between 1878 and 1880 in London. This is now the chief key to the huge Sanskrit collection in this Library. But unfortunately a great many manuscripts, above 4,000, seem to have been omitted and his catalogue cannot be said to be complete.