Documents on Scribal Elites

Documenta Nepalica | Sources on the History of Religion and Law in Pre-Modern Nepal | Editors-in-Chief: Manik Bajracharya / Simon Cubelic

From the early Śāha period until the end of Rāṇā rule in Nepal, the exchange of information between governments was largely facilitated by munsīs. They were highly trained court scribes and secretaries who were required to master the languages of official correspondence, including Persian, the administrative language of the Mughals in neighboring India. Apart from a munsī’s usual role as a scribe, author, translator, or teacher, some munsīs, such as Mīra Munsī Lakṣmīdāsa Pradhāna, secured far more important positions in Nepalese politics.

An article on Mīra Munsī Lakṣmīdāsa can be foundhere.

 

E_2738_0006: A pratijñāpatra from King Gīrvāṇayuddha granting land as compensation to Mīra Munsī Rajā Khā̃ [VS 1865]

LD_0001_0001: A lālamohara from King Rājendra granting Munsī Lakṣmīdāsa a piece of land at Madu Ṭola as sunābirtā (VS 1889)

DNA_0003_0049: An arjī on the British procurement of grain supplies from Indian rulers (VS 1895)

DNA_0003_0083: A report on various incidents in Delhi, Jaipur, Lahore, and Kabul (VS 1896)

DNA_0015_0095: A letter to Munsī Lakṣmīdāsa regarding the appointment of a new nausindā (VS 1899)

E_2764_0062: A document listing the remuneration of Mīra Munsī Lakṣmīdāsa for the year VS 1901 (VS 1901)

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