This is folio 66 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Sumantra relating Rama's message to Dasharatha (top); morose citizens (bottom).
This is folio 36 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Dasharatha with Minister Sumantra (top); Rama taking leave of the citizens (bottom).
This is folio 53 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows the trio on its way (top); people gathering to see Rama and paying homage (bottom).
This is folio 60 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows a scene in Citrakuta where tigers, elephants, deers etc. roam together.
This collection includes digitized negatives created by field experts and professional photographers during research surveys between 1966 and 1990. The images document heritage buildings in various Indian states (Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, etc) that are decayed, damaged, or inaccessible. Also included are images of rare terracotta sculptures unearthed in excavations conducted at archaeological sites in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Bihar, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Karnataka, and a collection of miniature paintings commissioned by Mughal and Rajput patrons during the 16th to the 19th centuries in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh.
This is folio 45 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows boatman (kewat) washing Rama's feet (top); the trio on boat (center); Rama worshipping Shivalinga, and offering his ring to Kewat.
This is folio 67 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Dasharatha falling down on hearing Sumantra's words, queens bewailing; citizens in deep sorrow (bottom).
This is folio 41 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Minister Sumantra persuading Rama to return (top); Rama and Lakshmana making hair locks (jatas) with the milk of a banyan tree (vata vriksha) (bottom).
This is folio 25 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Kaikeyi joyous (top); Dasharatha in bed (left); Kausalya and Rama conversing; worried courtiers (bottom).
This is folio 51 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Rama addressing the villagers (top); Lakshmana enquiring about the way (bottom).
This is folio 5 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Kausalya and Sumitra giving donations; Dasharatha asks Vasishtha to preach to Rama; Rama pays homage to Vasishtha with folded hands; people waiting for the coronation of Rama.
This is folio 100 from the Balakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Rama and Lakshmana in Janaka's garden who see Sita bathing before she goes for worship of Gauri.
This is folio 29 from the Lankakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Ravana asking demon Kalanemi to make an intrigue against Hanumana (top left); Hanumana taking leave of Rama to bring the medicine (bottom); Hanumana coming to Kalanemi's delusive asrama to drink water, who sends him to a river (center left); in river a she-crocodile captures Hanumana's foot, and is killed by him, while going to heaven she exposes Kalanemi (center right).
This is folio 20 from the Sundarakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Bibhisana trying to set Ravana on the right path, but is rebuffed by him (center); Attendants (bottom).
This is folio 21 from the Sundarakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Ravana expelling Bibhisana, who travels through sky and reaches Rama, monkeys think he's Ravana's spy but Rama gives him shelter (bottom).
This is folio 3 from the Sundarakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Hanumana crossing the sea to Lanka (top), he gives a blow on the head of a Rakshasi; from a tall rock looking at Lanka.
This is folio 4 from the Kishkindhakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Rama piercing seven trees with his bow (top); Rama hiding himself (center); Sugriva challenging Bali.
This is folio 28 from the Aranyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Narada coming to see Rama (top); both embracing (center); Lakshmana washing Narada's feet (bottom).
This is folio 8 from the Lankakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Rama aiming at Ravana and causing Ravana's crown and Mandodari's earrings to fall on the ground (bottom); Mandodari trying to dissuade Ravana from war with Rama (top left).
This is folio 120 from the Balakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Parasurama, Rama, Lakshmana and Vishvamitra discussing breaking of Shiva's bow.
This is folio 119 from the Balakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Parasurama, Rama, Lakshmana and Vishvamitra discussing breaking of Shiva's bow.
This is folio 69 from the Balakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows King Pratapabhanu camping in Vindhyachala (top); Pratapabhanu follows Kalaketu in the form of a pig during hunt (bottom).
This is folio 102 from the Balakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Sita with friends, Rama and Lakshmana in the garden.
This is folio 112 from the Balakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Rama remembering guru and seeking permission of rishis before lifting Shiva's bow.
This is folio 108 from the Balakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows the self-chosen groom ceremony (svayamvara) hall; gods are witnessing scene from skies.
This is folio 107 from the Balakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Rama and Lakshmana at self-chosen groom ceremony (svayamvara).
This is folio 137 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Rama saluting Vasishtha and Javali (top right and left); Sita embracing mothers (center left); people going by boats (bottom).
This is folio 5 from the Sundarakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Hanumana seeing rakshasa sleeping in the palace (top); Hanumana in Ashoka Vatika looking at Sita surrounded by rakshasis.
This is folio 4 from the Sundarakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Hanumana at the gateway of Lanka giving a blow to Rakshasi Lankini; Rakshasi praying to Hanumana (bottom) Hanumana, in small size, goes around the palace (top).
This is folio 18 from the Aranyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Ravana with rakshasa Maricha in a hut (top right); in the absence of Lakshmana, Rama asking Sita to enter the fire till he completes the task of slaying demons (center), Uma with Shiva (bottom right).
This is folio 12 from the Aranyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Rama advising Lakshmana to go for meditation (top and center left); Shurpanakha going to Rama (center right); Shurpanakha going to Lakshmana (bottom).
This is folio 115 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Bharata ready to accept Rama's proposal, gods showering flowers from the sky (top); two messengers from Mithila (bottom left).
This is folio 111 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Vasishtha addressing Rama (top right); Bharata speaking to Rama (bottom).
This is folio 127 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Bharata addressing Rama (top right); Janaka among queens (center right).
This is folio 114 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Bharata deciding to follow Rama's order; gods observing (top).
This is folio 121 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Janaka and Rama etc. in a gathering; Janaka on left (center); Kausalya addressing Sita (center right); Janaka's present for Rama (bottom).
This is folio 132 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Bharata and Rama discoursing (top right); King Guha saluting Rama (center); attendants (bottom).
This folio is from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows a religious gathering and recitation of Ramayana.
This is folio 9 from the Aranyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Sutikshana praying to Rama (top); Rama asking him to choose a boon, then they go towards Agastya's ashrama (bottom).
This is folio 90 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Bhardvaja praising Rama and Bharata (center and bottom).
This is folio 91 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Bharata and Bhardvaja (top); Bhardvaja calling eight siddhis to attend on Bharata and others.
This is folio 80 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Bharata insisting on going to Rama; courtiers (bottom).
This is folio 76 from the Balakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows King Pratapbhanu returning to his capital; King giving dinner to brahmins for which Kalaketu disguised as a cook prepares meals with flesh of animals for brahmins; Brahmins leave the dinner as the secret about the food is exposed; Brahmins curse Pratapabhanu to become rakshas with his family.
This is folio 89 from the Balakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Rama showing his Vishvarupa to Kausalya who is mystified (top); sacred thread ceremony (yajnopavita) of princes.
This is folio 57 from the Balakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Narada in Himalayan cave (bottom left); Indra asks Kama to divert Narada from penance (top); Shiva-Parvati (bottom right).
This is folio 27 from the Balakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Shiva telling Sati about Rama's greatness after which she goes to Rama as Sita but he recognises her and asks her about Shiva. She also saw all gods praying to Rama.
This is folio 26 from the Balakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Shiva seeing Rama for the first time from his hideout and paying homage before going away.
This is folio 17 from the Sundarakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Rama asking Hanumana about burning of Lanka (top right); Rama blessing Hanumana with eternal devotion and preparing raid on Lanka (left); Shiva and Parvati (bottom left).
This is folio 19 from the Aranyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows rakshasa Maricha assuming the form of a golden deer (top); Sita asking Rama to chase the deer (center); Rama killing the deer who is Maricha himself (bottom right).
This is folio 7 from the Aranyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Sarabhanga muni cremating himself and going to Vaikuntha (top left); Sutikshana meeting Rama (center); Sutikshana sitting with Rama (bottom left).
This is folio 3 from the Kishkindhakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Sugriva meeting Rama respectfully (top); Sugriva giving some clue of Sita (center); Sugriva explaining the center of enmity with Bali (bottom).
This is folio 16 from the Aranyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Rama creating a delusion and rakshasas see each other as Rama and as a result kill themselves (top); Lakshmana and Sita returning to Rama (center); Rama embracing Sita (bottom).
This is folio 124 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Rama with Vasishtha (top left); Rama addressing Janaka in a gathering (center right); Janaka addressing his queen (bottom left).
This is folio 112 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Bharata urging Rama to return to Ayodhya (top right); people waiting eagerly for Rama's return.
This is folio 117 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Vasishtha with Rama (top left); people saluting Rama (top right); Rama going forward to receive Janaka (left); Janaka arriving with his train (bottom).
This is folio 65 from the Balakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows King Svayambhuva Manu and Queen Satarupa in meditation or tapas; Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are visiting them.
This is folio 82 from the Balakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Shiva and others hearing Vishnu's message from heaven (akashvani) promising incarnation in Suryavamsi family at Ayodhya.
This is folio 37 from the Balakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Shiva sending Saptarishis to test the intensity of Parvati's love (top); Saptarishis with Parvati (bottom).
This is folio 5 from the Balakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows homage to Ravana, Rahu, Ketu, Kalanemi, Hanumana etc.
This is folio 81 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Bharata and others going to Rama (top); In Sringaverapuram, King Guha suspects the intentions of Bharata and orders his warriors to face Bharata's army (bottom).
This is folio 62 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Rama conversing with sages (top right) on his way, King Guha meets Sumantra (center); Guha sends four bhilas with Sumantra (bottom).
This is folio 139 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Bharata worshipping Rama's Paduka (center right) in Ayodhya; Bharata seeking advice from Brahmanas (bottom).
This is folio 107 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Vasishtha talking to Rama (top right); Sita sitting with the Queens (center); Bharata and Shatrughna (left center).
This is folio 69 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Dasharatha's body in oil-drum (top right); Bharata meets Kaikeyi (center); sad citizens (bottom).
This is folio 89 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Bharata in Bhardvaja's ashrama; queens in the center; attendants (bottom).
This is folio 63 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Sumantra backed by all the four Bhilas (top); Sumantra in a miserable state in the chariot (bottom).
This is folio 57 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Valmiki recommending Citrakuta as a suitable residence.
This is folio 40 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Rama and Sita asleep; Lakshmana and Nisadas guarding (top); Lakshmana and King Guha discoursing (bottom).
This is folio 10 from the Aranyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Sutikshana reaching Agastya's ashrama with Rama (top); Agastya hugging Rama; Agastya asking Rama to deliver Dandakaranya of a curse (bottom).
This is folio 12 from the Kishkindhakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Hanumana mounting on a hill, and perceiving a lady, who sends them on a seashore (center top); the ascetic lady before Rama (top left); all monkeys are in despair; Jamavanta preaching to the monkeys (bottom).
This is folio 21 from the Aranyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Jatayu, the eagle obstructing Ravana (top); Ravana fighting Ravana (top) and giving him a fatal wound.
This is folio 13 from the Kishkindhakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows eagle Sampati ready to eat the monkeys (top center); on listening to Angad, Sampati tells the whereabouts of Sita (center bottom).
This is folio 11 from the Aranyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Rama meeting Jatayu, the eagle in Panchavati (top); Lakshmana asking about Bhakti (bottom right).
This is folio 25 from the Aranyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Rama preaching to Shabari (top left); Shabari asking Rama to go to Pampasara to meet Sugriva (bottom); then she dies; Rama cremating Shabari.
This is folio 26 from the Aranyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Rama bewailing the separation from Sita (top); Pairs of birds and deers afflicting Rama's mind.
This is folio 74 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Bharata and Shatrughna performing rituals (top right); Sage Vasishtha preaching to Bharata and Shatrughna (center), alms being donated (bottom).
This is folio 32 from the Ayodhyakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows Dasharatha in bed (top center); Lakshmana taking leave of his mother Queen Sumitra (center), courtiers (bottom).
This is folio 130 from the Balakanda chapter of the Ramcharit Manas manuscript. The illustration shows the wedding procession preparing to leave Ayodhya.
