Rajasthan Me Hindi Ke Hastlikhit Grantho Ki Khoj Part 02 - Book Summary

The provided text is the second part of a catalog titled "राजस्थान में हिंदी के हस्तलिखित ग्रन्थों की खोज (द्वितीय भाग)" (Search for Hindi Handwritten Manuscripts in Rajasthan, Part 2), authored by Agarchand Nahta and published by Prachin Sahitya Shodh Samsthan Udaipur in 1947. The book serves as a detailed inventory of Hindi handwritten manuscripts found in Rajasthan, aiming to preserve and make accessible this rich literary heritage.

Here's a summary of the key aspects covered in the text:

1. Introduction and Context:

The preface, written by Chotelal Jain, highlights Rajasthan's significant role in Indian history, particularly its prolonged resistance against Muslim invasions, which preserved its cultural identity.
The author emphasizes the importance of studying ancient literature for national renaissance and instilling valor.
Rajasthan is described as a treasure trove of manuscripts, and while efforts by scholars like Col. Tod and others are acknowledged, a vast portion remains unexplored.
This second part of the series lists 183 previously unknown Hindi manuscripts, compiled from various collections, primarily dating from the 17th to 19th centuries. These manuscripts cover diverse subjects like lexicons, poetry, medicine, gemology, music, drama, history, narrative descriptions of cities, omens, and physiognomy, authored by 102 poets.
The publication is presented as a continuation of the Udaipur Vidyapeeth's efforts in discovering Hindi manuscripts in Rajasthan, with the first part published in 1942, cataloging 175 Hindi works.
The publisher, Udaipur Vidyapeeth Saraswati Mandir, acknowledges the significant contribution of Agarchand Nahta in compiling this work with great diligence and study.
The text also mentions the establishment of the Prachin Sahitya Shodh Sansthan in 1998 Vikrami (1941 CE) and lists its other research projects, including collections of Charan songs, historical works, Rajasthani proverbs and folk songs, essays by Gauri Shankar Hirachand Ojha, works on Mahakavi Suryamal Mishran, a research journal, and a museum.
Financial support from the Mewar government for the publication is gratefully acknowledged.

2. The Author's Approach and Methodology:

Agarchand Nahta, a renowned scholar in Jain literature, dedicates significant time and effort to the exploration and collection of these manuscripts.
The author's methodology for describing the manuscripts emphasizes minimal interpretation and maximum reliance on direct quotations from the manuscripts themselves. This approach aims to ensure authenticity and allow readers to draw their own conclusions.
He notes the challenge of deciphering handwriting and the importance of accurately recording details like author, title, date of composition, and manuscript condition.
He also mentions estimating the age of manuscripts based on paper quality and handwriting when specific dates are unavailable.

3. Scope and Coverage:

The introduction discusses the evolution of the Hindi language, tracing its roots from ancient Indian languages and highlighting its development through various stages and regional influences.
It emphasizes the significant contribution of Rajasthan to the growth and promotion of Hindi literature, with numerous Hindi poets finding patronage in the Rajput courts.
The work aims to bring to light previously unknown Hindi works to enrich the understanding of Hindi literature's vastness and diversity.

4. Categorization of Manuscripts: The catalog is meticulously organized into several categories, with each entry providing details about the manuscript:

(क) कोष-ग्रन्थ (Lexicons): This section lists various dictionaries and lexicons, such as "Anekarth Namamala," "Chhand Malika," and "Manjushri Namamala." Entries include manuscript details like the number of verses, author, estimated date, and the library where it was found.
(ख) छंद-ग्रन्थ (Prosody Works): This section details works on meter and prosody, like "Chhand Sar," "Laghu Pingal," and "Vachan Vinod."
(ग) अलंकार-ग्रन्थ (Rhetoric Works): Manuscripts related to figures of speech and poetic embellishment are cataloged here, including "Anupras Katha," "Anup Rasal," and "Chitra Vilas."
(घ) वैद्यक-ग्रन्थ (Medical Works): This extensive section lists various medical texts, covering diagnostics, treatments, and medicinal preparations, such as "Atisar Nidan," "Pransukh Vaidya," and "Vaishya Vinod." The descriptions often include details about the medical conditions discussed and the ingredients mentioned.
(ङ) रत्न-परीक्षा-ग्रन्थ (Works on Gemology): Manuscripts detailing the properties and identification of precious stones are listed, including "Pahan Pariksha" and "Ratna Pariksha."
(च) संगीत-ग्रन्थ (Music Works): This section covers works related to music, such as "Ragmala," "Rag Vichar," and "Sangeet Malika."
(छ) नाटक-ग्रन्थ (Dramatic Works): Cataloged here are manuscripts of plays, like "Prabodhchandrodaya Natak" and "Hanuman Natak."
(ज) काव्य-ग्रन्थ (Poetry Works): This broad category includes various forms of poetry, such as:
- कथा (Narratives): "Ambad Charitra," "Katha Mohini," "Chand Hans Katha," and "Jambu Charitra."
- ऐतिहासिक काव्य (Historical Poetry): "Amar Vatisai," "Kavindra Chandrika," "Kayyam Raso," and "Jaswant Udyot."
(झ) ऐतिहासिक काव्य-ग्रन्थ (Historical Poetry): This section is specifically dedicated to historical narratives in verse, like "Delhi-Raj Vanshavali" and "Panwar Vansha Darpan."
(ञ) नगर-वर्णन (Descriptions of Cities): This section includes poetic descriptions of various cities and regions, such as "Agra Gajal," "Jodhpur Varnan," and "Lahore Gajal."
(ट) शकुन, सामुद्रिक, ज्योतिष, स्वरोदय, रमन और इन्द्रजाल (Omens, Physiognomy, Astrology, Phonology, Divination, and Magic): This section covers a range of occult and divinatory texts, including "Avayadi Shakunavali," "Jyotish Sar Bhasha," "Indrajal," and "Swaroday."
(ठ) हिन्दी ग्रन्थों की टीकाएँ (Commentaries on Hindi Works): This section lists commentaries written in Sanskrit on Hindi literary works, such as the commentary on "Kirtilata" and "Bihar Sat-sai."

5. Key Features Highlighted:

Uniqueness: The catalog proudly states that it includes details of many manuscripts that are unknown to the wider academic world, contributing significantly to the understanding of Hindi literature.
Classification: The works are systematically classified by subject matter, facilitating research and study.
Detailed Descriptions: Each entry provides bibliographic information, including the author's name (if known), the title of the work, the number of verses or pages, the script used, the location of the manuscript, and its estimated date of creation or transcription.
Preservation: The publication itself is a testament to the effort to preserve this fragile literary heritage for future generations.

In essence, "Rajasthan mein Hindi ke Hastlikhit Grantho ki Khoj Part 02" is a crucial academic resource for scholars of Hindi literature, history, and culture, offering a detailed glimpse into the manuscript wealth of Rajasthan and the diligent work of Agarchand Nahta and the Prachin Sahitya Shodh Samsthan in unearthing and cataloging it.