Descriptive Catalogue of Sanskrit Manuscripts in Tanjore Vol 04

SR No.: 020229
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: P P S Shastri
Publisher: Government of Madras
Total Pages: 508
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Catalogue
File Size: 22 MB

Page 6

During the course of his preparation of the catalogue Dr. Burnell wrote to the Chief Secretary to the Government of Madras from Bangalore on 6th August 1873 as follows:
"It may perhaps be asked if the Library is worth the labour spent on it. I can answer unhesitatingly that it is. It is now a recognised fact that nearly all Sanskrit Works of importance exist in different recensions. The Tanjore Library is unrivalled in this respect; it contains several good manuscripts of all the most important ones known as yet, including a few that are new............ The Tanjore Library, however, contains additional manuscripts of most of the works which I had discovered elsewhere, and this is a matter of great importance.
I believe that this Library must sooner or later, escheat to the Government. The preparation of this catalogue will therefore protect property of enormous value. Sanskrit Manuscripts have long been very dear and the cost of making proper transcripts is now very hoavy. As far as I can judge, it would not be possible to form a Collection like that at Tanjore at a less cost than £50,000 but many manuscripts are unquestionably unique."
The Tanjore Maharaja Serfoji's Sarasvati Mahal Library is now a public library in the full sense of that term, the Government of Madras through the treasurer of Charitable Endowments being responsible for its administration. The collection belonged to the reigning princes of Tanjore-the Mahratha Mahārājas. When the last of them died leaving no direct male heir and after the death of the last surviving Rapi this collection together with the other properties formed the subject of litigation in civil courts. There was & rumour a few years ago that the collection had attracted the attention of some wealthy patrons of learning from