The manuscripts were discovered in three stages in Gilgit region in the now Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in 1931 by cattle grazers.
The facsimile edition, a joint work of the National Archives of India, Institute of Oriental Philosophy and Soka Gakkai, will be launched by Culture Secretary Sangeeta Gairola tomorrow.
The Gilgit manuscripts are one one of the most ancient in the world and possibly the only corpus of Buddhist manuscripts discovered in India.
Experts say opinions vary as to the exact date when these were written but there is some consensus on the period between 5th and 6th century. PTI ETB
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