Documents on Scribal Elites

Documenta Nepalica | Documents on the History of Religion and Law of Pre-modern Nepal | Main Editors: 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 correspondence, including Persian, the administrative language of the Mughals in neighboring India. In addition to 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 found here.

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 rukkā 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)