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INTRODUCTION : PROBLEMS &

METHODOLOGY
Introduction
List of Sanskrit & Indological Research Institutes
Introduction with the Research topic
Library as a Source of Information
Document, Documentation & Documentation Serivce
Objectives of the Study
Hypothesis
Universe of Study
Sampling
Tools and Techniques
Review of the Literature
Research Methodology
Findings and Interpretation of Data
Suggestions
Design of the Chapters
 CHAPTER-I

INTRODUCTION : PROBLEMS & METHODOLOGY

INTRODUCTION

INDOLOGY

“Indology1” denotes the study of Indian history, literature, philosophy

etc. In other words indological studies and research relates to the history,

philosophy, religion, fine arts (architecture, sculpture, painting, dance, drama and

music), exact sciences, economics, politics, Sanskrit language and literature, and

sociology of India, Thus, Indology includes all Indian studies1.

Our past was glorious, but we have to make our future more glorious

and in this respect Sanskrit and Indological studies and research will be of much

helpful to us. Until or unless we know our past, we cannot know our heritage, we

lose our moorings, and consequently true perspective and direction is lost. This
t 2
speaks for the importance of Indology today .

Swami Vivekananda observes (as reported in the Brooklyn Standard

Union, February 27, 1895) that India has given to antiquity the earliest scientifical

physicians, and, according to Sir William Hunter3, She has even contributed to

Bulleon of RKMI, Calcutta, Vol. No.XLV, No.6, June 1994, pp. 197
">
iw • Idid., 197
3. Idid., 197

2
modern medical science by the discovery of various Chemicals and by teaching

you how to refo rm misshapen ears and noses. Even more, it has done in

mathematics, for algebra, geometry, astronomy, and the triumph of modern

science-mixed mathematics- were all invented in India, just so much as the ten

numerals, the very cornerstone of all present civilization, were discovered in India

and are in reality, Sanskrit words.

In philosophy we are even now head and shoulders above any other

nation, as Schopenhauer, the Great German philosopher has confessed. In Music

India gave to the world her systems of notation, with the seven cardinal notes and

the diatonic scale, all of which, we enjoyed as early as 350 B.C., while it came to

Europe only in the eleventh century In philosophy, our Sanskrit language is now

universally acknowledged to be the foundation of all European languages, which,

in fact, are nothing but jargonized Sanskrit1.

Indology forms a part of ‘Oriental Studies’ which is a critical and

detailed study of the various aspects of the history and culture of all the countries

of Asia, particularly of the early and medieval periods. However, in India such

studies are more or less confined to early Indian subjects. The studies began in

India by the Britishers and other European scholars, administrators and

missionaries who were eager to know the people of India, and number of them

Bulieon of RKMI, Calcutta, Vol. No.XLV, No.6, June 1994. pp.199

3
headed by Sir William Jones founded the Asiatic Society in Calcutta on January 1

5, 1784, for an enquiry into the history and antiquities, arts, sciences and literatures

of Asia, Their zeal was stimulated by the discovery of the close relation of Sanskrit

especially with Greek, Latin and other languages of Europe1. The work began with

a research for legends, inscriptions, coins and manuscripts as well as their

collection, study and publication. The results of the research and study were

published in the Asiatic Society's periodical entitled ‘Asiatic Researches’; the first

volume of which was published in 1788 and the last (Vol. no. XX) in 1839. The

issue of its successor, the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, however,

appeared in March 1932, and is continuing till to-day.

University Grants Commission appointed the Indological Committee

under the Ministry of Scientific Research and Cultural Affairs (S.R. & C.A.). The

committee held its first meeting at the office of the U.G.C. at New Delhi on Nov,

23, 1959 for a preliminar’y discussion of the terms of reference and the plan and

programme of the work of the committee. The committee visited and inspected

the various Sanskrit Indological institute Libraries in India and proposed a Central

Institute of Indology.

Similarly Sanskrit Commission appointed by the Govt. of India, in

terms of their resolution no. F34-1/56-A-1, dated 1st October, 1956, has completed

Bhate, Saroja; Indology : past, present and future, Sahitya Akadami, New Delhi, 2000, pp. 17

4
its deliberation and has honour to submit the following report at Pp.166 i.e.,

regarding the setting up of a Central Institute of Indology which was proposed,

some years ago, by the All - India Oriental Conference, for the study of Indian

Humanities, particularly ancient Indian History, Philosophy, literature and culture.

The commission recommended that such an Institute, be started as early as

possible. The Institute could undertake would be the publication of an Annual

Bibliography of Indology, and assisting scholars and Indological Centres i.e.

institutions working in the country by functioning as a central clearance house for

the supply of references, information, contacts, copies of manuscripts, etc., from

different parts of India as well as from foreign Indological centres.

We now come to the point of Sanskrit and Indological Research

Institutes Libraries. The Indological Research Institutes Libraries in our countiy

are mainly centred in the bigger cities and have grown up by themselves under the

partronage of either the rich or enlightened families or under the fostering care of

the foreign as well as Indian scholars and educated children of the soil. Some of

the leading Sanskrit and Indological Research Institutes and their libraries are:

1. Abul Kalam Azad Oriental Research Institute, Public Gardens,

Hyderabad (A.P)

2. Adyar Library and Research Centre, Madras, 1886. (ALRC)

3. Akhil Bharatiya Sanskrit Parishad, Lucknow. (ABSP)

4. All India Oriental Conference, Poona. (AIOC)

5. American Institute of Indian studies, Poona, 1964. (AI1S)

6. Anandasrama, Poona (1887-88).

7. Andhra Historical Research society, Rajahmundry (1922)

8. Arabic and Persian Research Institute, Tonk (Rajasthan)

9. Asiatic society of Bengal, Calcutta (1784) (ASA)

10. Balatkara Gana- Shastra Bhandara (15th AD) Karanja

11. Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Poona (1917) (BORI)

12. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bombay (1938) (BVB)

13. Bharat Itihasa Samshodhaka Mandala, Poona (1910) (BISM)

14. Bihar Research society, Patna (1915) (BRS)

15. Bikaner Anup Sanskrit Library,'" Bikaner,

16. Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Leh (Ladakh) (J & K)

17. Centre for Advance Studies in Sanskrit, Poona (CASS)

18. C.P. Research Society, Nagpur, 1934

19. Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute, Poona (1821)

20. French Institute of Indology, Pondicherry

21. Ganganatha Jha Research Kendriya Vidyapeeth, Allahabad (1943)

22. Gujarat Research Society, Bombay (1936)

23. Indian Historical Research Institute, Bombay

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24. Indian Institute of Islamic Studies, New Delhi

25. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi

26. Institute of Sanskrit and Indological Studies, Kurukshetra

27. Institute of Indology, Delhi

28. Jain Sanskrit Samsodhan Mandal, Varanasi

29. Kalpatharu Research Academy, Bangalore

30. Kashmir Research Institute, Srinagar

31. Khuda Baksh Oriental Public Library, Patna

32. K.P. Jayaswal Research Institute, Patna

33. Kuppuswami Sastri Research Institute, Madras. (1944)

34. L.D. Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad

35. Library of Tibetan .Works and Archives, Dharamshala (1972)

36. Madras Government Oriental MSS Library

37. Pt. Madhusudan Research cell for Vedic Studies, Jodhpur

38. Maharaja Jiwaji Rao Library, Ujjain

39. Maharaja Palace Library, Trivandrum

40. Maharshi Academy of Vedic Studies, Ahmedabad

41. Maharshi Sandipini Rashtriya Veda Vidya Pratishthan, Ujjain

42. Marathi Samsodhan Mandal, Bombay

43. Mythic Society, Bangalore (1909)

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44. Nalanda Research Institute

45. Oriental Institute, M.S. University, Baroda (1910)

46. Oriental Research Institute, Mysore,

47. Poona Albert Edward Institute and Cowasjee Dinshaw Hall and Library,

Poona

48. . Pracyavani (Institute of Oriental learning) Calcuta (1943)

49. Rajasthan Oriental Research Institute, Jodhpur

50. Rama Varma (Research Institute) Archaeological Society, Town Hall

Trichur (1925)

51. Ranabir Sanskrit Research Institute & Library, Jammu (1857)

52. Research Institute of Ancient Sc ientific Studies, New Delhi

53. Royal Asiatic Society, Bombay

54. Santinatha Jain Bhandar, Cambay

55. Saraswati Mahal Library, Tanjore (1798) (Maharaja Serfoji Sarasvati Mahal

Libraiy, Tanjore)

56. Sanskrit College, Calcutta

57. Sharadashram Yeotmal, Berar (1928)

58. Sikkam Research Institute of Tibetology, Sikkam

59. Sommayya Indological Research Institute, Bombay

60. Sri Venkateshvara Oriental Institute, Tirupati (1939)

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61. Theosophical Society Library (1883)

62. Vaidik Samshodhan Mandal, Pune (1960)

63. Vedic Tatwa Shodh Sansthan, Jaipur

64. Vishveshvaranand Vishva Bandhu Institute of Sanskrit and Indological

Studies, Hoshiarpur (1965)

65. Vishveshvaranand Vedic Research Institute (VVRI), Hoshiarpur (Pb.)

66. Ramakrishna Mission Institute of, Calcutta

67. Vrindaban Research Institute, Vrindaban (U.P)

68. Varendra Research Society and Museum, Bengal (1910)

69. Vidarbha Samshodaka Mandal, Nagpur

70. Vizianagram Maharaja’s Sanskrti College Library (1900)

71. William Carey Historical Library, Serampore

72. Xavier Centre of Historical Research, ALTO Porvorim, (Goa)

73. Islamic Research Association, Bombay (1933)

74. India Office, Library

75. Kamarupa Anusandhana Samiti (Assm Res. Society) Gauhati (1912)

76. Institute of Oriental Learning, Calcutta, (1943)

77. International Academy of Indian Culture, Delhi

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INTRODUCTION WITH THE RESEARCH TOPIC

Here in the study the topic for research is “Documentation and

*

information services in centres of Sanskrit and Indological studies in India - a

study”. So first of all it is necessary to know the meaning and detail information

about the terms used in the topic. Here we define the concept and detail

information about the terms like: Library, Documentation, Information, Services,

Sanskrit and Indological Studies, Centres etc.

LIBRARY AS A SOURCE OF INFORMATION

The library started becoming the soul of education, research, science

and technology. For quality study and research, the reader and researcher became

dependent on libraries. It is almost impossible to work on any area of

study/research without the use of library.

The libraries from time immemorial have been trying to manage and

classify all the available literature. The goal of library can be summarized as:

• The goal of library is to assist the parent institution in fulfilling its

educational objectives.

• To provide latest collection of text books, course, related materials and

journals on print and electronic media.

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 To maintain good collection of reference books, magazines, newspapers and

internet facilities to provide wider access to information beyond the

prescribed syllabi.

To train the students in the use of library catalogue, reference sources and

net based information access.

To provide career guidance and future prospects to students and make them

useful citizens of the society.

To offer variety of services such as newspaper clippings, bibliographies

access to databases and the internet.

To maintain good ambience and create reading environment for students and

faculty.

To preserve documents for future use following current method of

preservation.

And today the best method to preserve the information and the knowledge

are the electronic resources which are mainly used and guided by an

academic computer scientist to us, because these are reliable, fast and easy

to use.

From the goals elaborated have one can make out that it is the library

which supports each activity of the academic library/institution be it education are

examination throw the whole range of library and information services.

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DOCUMENT

Anything printed, written, etc. that contains information or is relied

upon to record or prove something is called document.

DOCUMENTATION

Documentation is the act of identifying, collecting, processing and

making available the records of intellectual activity for maximum use. The aim is

to put before the specialist the existing literature, bearing on the subject of his

investigation in order that he may be made fully aware of previous achievements in

his subject, and thus saved from the dissipation of his genius upon work already

done. (Ranganathan; Documentation and its facets, Bombay, Asia, 1963, p. 46)

Facet of Documentation

According to Ranganathan, documentation consists mainly two

different organizations documentation work and documentation service and these

two are mutually exclusive divisions of it. Each division consists of five different

facets as follows:

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 DOCUMENTATION

JL
i i
Documentation Work Documentation Service

Selection of
r-
Abstracting
“i
Classification
i
Indexing
i
Producing
Document Document of Document Document Documentation List

i
Consulting Indexes
i
Supplying
i
Inter-Library
t
Photographically
j
Translation
to find out a reader with Loan Service Service
Specific Document available document

In short, whereas the documentation work pertains to the technique of

collecting, organizing and recording micro thought; the documentation service is

the process of reproducing any available material and making it accessible to those

who need it and at a time when they need it.

DOCUMENTATION SERVICE

Documentation service concerns the search, location and the

dissemination of information or information containing documents.

Sanskrit and Indological Research Institutes and Studies

Indology, in the proper sense, is the creation of Western scholars who

have attempted to understand Indian culture in its diverse aspects. Indology is a

systematic and scientific study of Indian culture. It began when Western scholars

became acquainted with Indian culture and established various centres like the

Asiatic Society, established in Calcutta over two hundred years ago, and at other

13
places. French and German Scholars also started working in different areas of

Indology.

Aim of Indological Studies is to gain a deeper understanding of Indian

culture.

Founder - President Sir William Jones, established the first Sanskrit

Research Institute, to be named “Asiatic Society, Calcutta”, on January 15, 1784

“for the purpose of inquiring into the History and Antiquities, Arts, Science and

Literature of Asia”. (Chaudhari, S; proceedings of the Asiatic Society, Vol. 1,

Calcutta, 1986, p.28.)

NEED FOR SANSKRIT & INDOLOGICAL STUDIES

The need for establishing Indological Centres (Sanskrit) was felt

because of following reasons:

1. To promote and running Sanskrit classes i.e. Sastri, Acharya, M.A. (Skt.),

M.Phil and Ph.D.

2. Holding meetings and seminars, where papers are read, lectures are

delivered and discussions are held on subjects connected with Sanskrit

learning and Ancient Indian culture.

3. Search, collection and maintenance of ancient wealth of manuscripts.

4. Tape-recording of Vedic Mantras, Sanskrit lyrics/songs and speeches of

eminent Indologists.

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 t

5. Critically editing and publication of unpublish Mss., Books connected with

Sanskrit, Pali and Prakrit languages.

6. To develop a library to provide documentation services.

7. To publish joumals/serials.

OBJECTIVES OF THS STUDY

The objectives of the present study are as under:

1. To trace the origin and development of Sanskrit and Indological Research

Institute Libraries in India.

2. To elaborate the steps being taken by various IRI Libraries in India for the

promotion of Indological Studies and Research i.e. particularly Sanskrit

Studies, Sanskrit Language and Literature.

3. To study the organization and administration of the IRI Libraries in India.

4. To ascertain the Library, Documentation and Information Services being

provided by the IRI Libraries in India.

5. To evaluate the publications of the IRI Library in India.

6. To develop suitable norms for the healthy growth of the Indological Centres

and their Libraries in India.

HYPOTHESIS

1. IRI Libraries are generally situated in big cities i.e. posh-areas, it means high

cost of halting there.

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2. Staff in these centre’s Libraries is not enough to meet the necessary
L

requirements of the readers or the serious students/scholars.

3. Some Centres have the minimum amount of convenience available to the

scholars who come there for serious studies or work. Provision of good

spacious accommodation, enough of light and air, cosy seats, cool

temperature, noiseless atmosphere, cheap and readily available snacks when

required.

4. IR1 Libs have inadequate funds without which facilities and equipment

cannot be increased.

5. Exchange of publication system as administered in these centres Libraries is

not properly organized.

6. The Libs lack in the preparation of bulletins giving abstracts or references to

current literature.

7. Centres Libraries Lacks in resource- sharing as well as preparing Union-

Catalogues among the centres,

8. Purchasing of documents should be direct and not through the agents i.e.

getting maximum discount.

9. Most of the IRI Libraries are neither covered under the "INFLIBNET"

system nor computer services are available in these centres hence members

are not availing the digital or computer services.

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10. Proper training facility is not provided to the staff of the centres Libraries.

11. Library services are restricted to the staff members of the Institute and

scholars of the IRI Libraries respectively.

12. Library staff is co-operative and ready to offer their special services, if the

clientele express their requirements to them properly.

13. The existing pattern of purchasing of documents through the agents is a

delaying process. It should be replaced by forming a national association of

IRI Libs.

UNIVERSE OF STUDY

For the purpose of the present study, libraries of all the Indological

Centres in different parts of India will be included and necessary information will

be ascertained.

SAMPLING

It is Intended to cover cent per cent Indological Research Institute

Libraries in the field of Sanskrit and Indological Studies and Research in India for

the purpose of the present study. Emphasis will, however, be given to the major

and important centres and suggestions will be provided keeping in view the over -

all situation in the country.

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TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES

In addition to the personal visits to the Indological Centres Libraries

in the country, a detailed “Questionnaire” will be formulated with the help of my

Supervisor, for ascertaining necessary data required for the proposed study. An

“Interview Schedule” will also be prepared for collecting necessary information

from the Directors, Librarians, Faculty members, Researchers and other categories

of clientele of the Indological Centres in India.

REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Primary and secondary sources, both published and unpublished,

relevant to the present investigation, have been surveyed, and more important of

them have been given in the select bibliography at the end of this synopsis.

As far as the investigator is aware, no published document was

available on the topic, even on individual Indological Libraries, no such document

was available.

Late in 1949 a report was published on the origin and scope of the

Humanistic institutions and societies in India by the Ministry of Education, Govt.,

of India, Publication no. 80 It gives a very brief account of the origin and scope of

such institutions and societies, their achievements since they were founded and a

report in their working during the year ending 31st December 1947. Similarly

Subodh Kumar Mookerjee in his book 'Development of libraries and library

18
science in India' in 1969 shows the development of Indological libraries in brief.

Pandey, S.K Sharma in his published thesis entitled ‘Dewey Decimal

Classification for Indology’ etc, New Delhi, Uppal Pub. House, 1979, p.

xxxiii+294 has described the classification scheme for Indological books

particularly in the field of Indian Philosophy and Religion. In 1972 Rashtriya

Sanskrit Sansthan, Ministry of Education and Social Welfare compiled the book

which also carries and depicting the general activities and trends of the Sanskrit

Institutions in India. Inventory of Sanskrit Institutions in India , New Delhi,

Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, Ministry of Education and Social Welfare , 1972, p.

XX, 120.

In 1969 Mohinder Singh (Comp. & Ed.) ‘A directory of learned

%

Institutes and Societies in India, their activities and publications’. Here he has

given the Addresses and their objectives and publications,

In the book ‘Wealth of Sanskrit Manuscripts in India and Abroad’

written by K.T. Pandurangi, Bangalore, 1978, p.60. The learned author visited

many manuscript (hand written document) centres and described the

manuscriptology, catalogues and lists of manuscripts and other related information.

Some fragments of information about the aims, objectives as well as

organization, services, working and development of the libraries under

investigation were lying scattered in the documents referred to above. The

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information, however, was incomplete and had to be supplemented as well as

updated from the respective journals of these Indological libraries, A good deal of

data had to be collected from the libraries concerned through formal and informal

communications and personal interviews.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

In order to get upto date information regarding the IRI Libraries in

India; the following methods will be adopted:

1. Personal visits to the major IRI Libraries in India in order to have first hand

information about its organization, management and services.

2. Contacting professional library staff, heads of the Indological Centres,

Indologists and experts, scholars of the Indological studies and research etc

to get the required information.

3. Scanning of the recorded materials i.e. manuscripts, books, research

papers published in Journals, Indexing and abstracting services,

proceedings of the conferences, seminars, memorial lectures, workshops

and Indological related bibliographies.

4. Collecting necessary data with the help of a detailed “Questionnaire”.

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FINDING AND INTERPRETATIONS OF DATA

The data collected for the present study will be analysed and

presented in the form of tables, charts, diagrams etc, which will be interpreted in

detail with necessary critically evaluation.

SUGGESTIONS

Keeping in view the data collected and facts ascertained through the

questionnaire and personal visits to the Indological Centres Libraries in India,

viable suggestions will be provided in order to overcome the short comings of

these Libraries and also to improve their documentation and information services

as per requirements of the clientele.

DESIGN OF CHAPTERS

The proposed research work is intended to be divided in 7 chapters.

Chapter - I will be entitled “Introduction: Problem and Methodology” It will

highlight the problem, objectives of the-.study, hypothesis, research methodology,

universe of study, tools & techniques used, review of literature, limitations, field

works experience etc.

Chapter-II “Indology; Past and Present”. Here we will discuss the

meaning and the scope of the word 'Indology' in its full length. We will peep into

the history of the Indology. The role played by the Christian Missionaries, travelers

and traders of the Europeans and the other countrymen of the world in the

21
exploration of the Indological studies in India and abroad. Similarly, the role

played by the scholars of the Europe, America and India etc, for the development

of the Indology in the past and present.

Chapter - FII will trace “Origin and development of the Indological

Centres and their libraries in India”. Here history of Indological Research Institute

Library (IRIL) will be given with their aims and objectives. Also highlights the

contributions of the various types of Institutions as well as Govt., of India, All

India Oriental Conference (AIOC), Pune, RSS, UGC, ILA etc in the development

of the IRI Libs.

Chapter - IV will be “Library, Documentation and Information

Services”, this chapter will deal with the services of the Indological Centres in

India.

The word services include library services, documentation services

and Information services. Here, we will study the various types of services

rendered by these centres and up to what extend these centres are successful in

achieving their aims, objectives and functions. Library service is a positive and

aggressive dynamic force to spread knowledge in every nook and comer of the

country and to make it available to one and the all.

Chapter - V entitled “Organization and Administration”. Here we

will discuss in general trends in technical work preparation of books for the

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readers, classification, cataloguing - aid to readers, reference work - library co­

operation and Book service. Branches and sub branches, Library Committee and

routine work-Records-different library departments-Budget-Rules and regulations-

Library staff-Display methods-Building Plans and Equipments-Library

professionals and training.

Chapter - VI entitled: “Publication of Indological Literature in

India”. This chapter will enlist the kinds of the publications of these centres in

India. Contributions of the various kinds of publishers and their commitments,

Here we will also discuss the bibliographical control of Indological documents and

also discuss some source books of Indology .

Chapter -VII entitled “Conclusions, Suggestions and Reflections”.

Here, we will access the overall position of the Indological Research Institute

Libraries (IRI Libs) and review their position and give necessary suggestions for

the upliftment of the IRI Libs, We will also propose a National Docuementation

Centre for Indology (NDCI) where everything regarding Indology could be

available under one roof.

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