Manuscriptology as a Research Methodology in Ayurveda: Bridging Traditional Knowledge With Evidence-Based Practice

Manuscriptology represents the systematic and scientific study of handwritten documents, many of which possess significant historical value. In India, a vast proportion of manuscripts remains unexamined, with estimates suggesting that only a small fraction has been critically studied. Reports from the National Mission for Manuscripts indicate that over 20,000 Ayurvedic manuscripts have been identified, yet a large number remain unexplored. This highlights a substantial research opportunity within the domain of Ayurveda. The absence of a comprehensive catalogue of Indian medical manuscripts further limits access to this traditional knowledge preserved in libraries and private collections. A structured approach involving collection, conservation, cataloguing, transcription, translation, critical editing, and publication is essential to bring these resources into the academic mainstream. Although recent efforts by individual scholars and institutions have contributed to manuscript preservation, these initiatives lack coordinated, large-scale collaboration. Integrating expertise from Ayurveda, Sanskrit, and allied disciplines is crucial for systematic manuscript study and dissemination. With only a minimal percentage of medical manuscripts available in published form, focused efforts toward their preservation and scholarly editing can significantly contribute to evidence-based research and clinical advancements in Ayurveda.