Descriptive Catalogue of Sanskrit Manuscripts in Tanjore Vol 01

SR No.: 020226
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: P P S Shastri
Publisher: Government of Madras
Publication Year: 1928
Total Pages: 480
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Catalogue
File Size: 20 MB

Page 6

In 1922, the Library received other valuable collections of rare interest, known as the "Kagalkar" and the "Patanga Ayadhūta" collections. The former is about 150 and the latter, about 100 years old. The collection made by the Kagalkar Family of learned Sanskrit Scholars of Tanjore especially versed in Sanskrit Grammar (21TUTA ) contains the autograph copies made by some of them of the works composed by themselves and others. Its prominent feature is the collection of works on Sanskrit Grammar. The collection made by Patangāvadhūta whose descendants settled at Tiruvadamarudūr in Tanjore District contains a large number of works on Vedānta (aerah ) and Bhakti (Hit:). Both these collections comprise several Manuscripts which do not already exist in this Library.
The attention of the Government of India and through it of the Government of Madras was directed in 1868 to the importance of the examination, purchase or transcription of Sanskrit Manuscripts in Indian Libraries and the framing of printed lists or catalogues of the saine. (Proceedings of the Government of India in the Home Department (Public), No. 4338-48, dated Simia, 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 Governinent 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 1976, and Letter No. 1560, dated Madras, 7th June 1876, from the Director of Public Instruction 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