Preserving the Past, Inspiring the Future: India’s New Cultural Heritage Library at Rashtrapati Bhavan
On January 23, 2026, India marked a significant cultural milestone with the inauguration of Granth Kutir, a dedicated repository of literary treasures located within Rashtrapati Bhavan—the President’s official residence in New Delhi. In a ceremony officiated by President Droupadi Murmu, this new library was unveiled as a space that brings together rare books and manuscripts spanning India’s rich tradition of classical languages and scholarly thought.
More than a symbolic addition to the national landscape, Granth Kutir reflects a deliberate effort to celebrate India’s linguistic diversity, safeguard ancient knowledge systems, and reframe the narrative of cultural preservation in a rapidly changing world. This article examines the historical background, motivations, contents, wider impact and future potential of this landmark initiative.
A Historic Initiative in a Historic Setting
Rashtrapati Bhavan itself is more than the seat of India’s presidency. Completed in 1929, it is a sprawling architectural testament to the country’s past and its transition from colonial rule to sovereign republic. Over the decades, its art, galleries, gardens and libraries have reflected layers of India’s journey, mixing indigenous and imported influences. The launch of Granth Kutir adds a new chapter, one anchored firmly in indigenous cultural expression.
Located within this estate, Granth Kutir (literally “Book Cottage” in several Indian languages) is not a conventional library in the public sense. Rather, it is a curated space bringing under one roof a wide array of printed books and rare manuscripts that embody the literary heritage of India’s classical languages.
Understanding India’s Classical Languages
One of the distinctive features of the Granth Kutir collection is the emphasis on India’s classical languages—languages that have an early history, extensive ancient literature and an independent tradition of scholarship. For decades, India recognised six such classical languages; however, in October 2024, the Government of India accorded this status to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali, bringing the total number to eleven. The eleven languages now recognised as classical in India are:
- Tamil
- Sanskrit
- Kannada
- Telugu
- Malayalam
- Odia
- Marathi
- Pali
- Prakrit
- Assamese
- Bengali
These languages span much of the Indian subcontinent and represent literary and intellectual traditions going back centuries, if not millennia. Their classical status highlights not just antiquity, but the depth and influence of their literary output.
What the Grand Collection Contains
According to the official statement from the President’s Secretariat, Granth Kutir’s holdings include around 2,300 books and approximately 50 rare manuscripts across the eleven languages. These works reflect a broad array of subjects, from sacred epics and philosophical treatises to texts on science, linguistics, governance and devotional literature. Importantly, the collection also includes versions of the Constitution of India translated into the classical languages—a symbolic bridge between ancient thought and modern democratic ideals.
The manuscripts, many of which are handwritten, are preserved on traditional materials such as:
- Palm leaf
- Paper
- Bark
- Cloth
These mediums were historically used across India for decades—long before modern printing technology—and speak to diverse indigenous methods of documentation.
Examples of literary traditions represented include the Vedas, Puranas and Upanishads from the Sanskrit corpus; Gathasaptasati from the early Marathi tradition; Vinaya Pitaka in Pali; Jain Agamas in Prakrit; Charyapada manuscripts in Assamese, Bengali and Odia; and classical poetic and philosophical works in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.
From Colonial Archives to Indigenous Heritage
The creation of Granth Kutir also involved a thoughtful rearrangement of older collections. Books that previously occupied library space at Rashtrapati Bhavan—many of them inherited from colonial-era archives and focusing on British officials or European art—have now been relocated to a separate archival facility on the estate. These include titles such as A Catalogue of the Original Works of William Hogarth and biographical and administrative writings on Lord Curzon of Kedleston.
Officials say these materials have not been discarded; instead, they are being digitised and will be accessible online to scholars and researchers. This move neatly balances preservation of historical record with reorientation of onsite emphasis toward indigenous languages and knowledge traditions.
Why It Matters: Cultural Awareness, Education and Identity
At its core, Granth Kutir is an initiative aimed at deepening public awareness of India’s cultural and literary heritage. President Murmu emphasised that the wealth of knowledge contained in classical languages can “inspire us to learn from our rich past and build a bright future,” and stressed the importance of encouraging young people to engage with these traditions.
This focus has several broader implications:
1. Bridging Past and Present
By highlighting ancient manuscripts alongside modern books and even constitutional texts, the new library creates a narrative arc that connects India’s intellectual heritage with its contemporary civic identity.
2. Promoting Linguistic Diversity
In an age of rapid globalization, smaller linguistic traditions are often at risk of erosion. Curating and promoting works in multiple classical languages helps sustain interest in these cultural legacies.
3. Educational Outreach
Although Granth Kutir is within the presidential estate, its resources are accessible during tours of Circuit 1 at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Furthermore, the digital availability of many texts aims to widen access for educators, students and researchers beyond physical visitors.
4. Supporting National Cultural Missions
The library aligns with the Gyan Bharatam Mission, a national initiative focused on preserving, digitising and disseminating India’s manuscript heritage using modern technologies while respecting traditional contexts.
Voices from Across the Country
The impact of Granth Kutir is already being felt beyond New Delhi. Traditional artists and scholars, such as manuscript maker Mridu Mausam Bora from Assam—whose works in the indigenous Sanchipat tradition and Taikham painting are now part of the collection—have been invited to participate in the library’s inauguration. Bora’s inclusion highlights how this initiative is elevating regional contributions onto a national platform.
Challenges and Considerations
While widely celebrated, initiatives like Granth Kutir also raise important questions for cultural policy:
- Accessibility: How can India ensure that such collections are truly accessible to diverse populations, including those in rural and non-elite educational settings?
- Digitisation Ethics: As rare manuscripts are digitised, attention must be paid to intellectual property, respectful representation and cultural context.
- Language Learning: Greater availability of classical language texts is valuable, but complementary investment in language education will be necessary to ensure these works are understood and appreciated by new generations.
These are not trivial concerns, but they reflect the broader work of integrating historical legacy into living culture.
Looking Ahead: Legacy and Learning
Granth Kutir represents a thoughtful and mission-oriented effort to preserve India’s rich heritage of languages and learning. More than a repository of books, it is a symbolic space that connects age-old traditions with modern scholarly and civic pursuits. In doing so, it has the potential to inspire deeper engagement with India’s cultural roots—among students, scholars and ordinary citizens alike.
As this project evolves, continued efforts in digitisation, education outreach, and collaboration with cultural institutions across India will be key to unlocking the full potential of this remarkable collection.