Kashmir’s ancient script Sharda, a ‘vital component of India’s heritage’

SRINAGAR: The first-ever exhibition dedicated to Sharda, an ancient script that developed in Kashmir and was used primarily by Kashmiri Pandits, was organised at Chinar Book Festival in Srinagar.

The script developed in between the 8th and 9th centuries AD. However, few manuscripts survive today. Many of the preserved texts, written on paper and birch-bark, surfaced between 1875 and 1925.

“Sharda’s influence extends beyond religious boundaries. It is a vital component of India’s cultural and linguistic heritage. Like Kashmir, which is integral part of India, Sharda is integral part of Indian civilisation and linguistic connect,” said scholar Prof S N Pandita, who was part of the panel discussion titled ‘Sharda script: A unique linguistic heritage of Kashmir’.

Dr Ajmal Shah, professor at the University of Kashmir's department of central Asian studies, said much work is going on Sharda script. Talking about the recent archaeological findings in the Lolab Valley of Kupwara, he said, 21 lines of Sharda inscriptions were found on hero-stones. “We have also discovered Sharda inscriptions in Baramulla district and believe a vast trove of cultural material is yet to be unearthed in the Valley,” he added.

Dr Dhruv Kotru, a digital marketing professional, said he has launched a website dedicated to preserving Sharda manuscripts. “We began this project during COVID-19 and now maintain an online archive with detailed information about Sharda,” he said.