Neem leaves preserve 112-yr-old Urdu book in remarkable condition

In an extraordinary discovery that sheds light on the preservation practices of the early 20th century, a 112-year-old Urdu book, titled "Tarikh-i-Sirmour" was found in a well-preserved state, with neem leaves placed between its pages still intact.

The rare book, written in 1912 by the then-ruler of the Sirmaur princely state, Kunwar Rajour Singh, offers a rich historical account of the region. Only a few copies of this historical text exist today, and this particular copy belongs to the private collection of Nahan historian Kanwar Ajay Bahadur Singh.

Foresight of past generations:

The discovery highlights the advanced preservation techniques used over a century ago. It also reinforces the scientific understanding of neem's natural properties. The leaves’ efficacy after 112 years is a testament to the foresight of past generations in preserving cultural and historical documents

The book's preservation is attributed to the insect-repellent and anti-fungal properties of neem leaves, a traditional method used to protect documents and books from decay, insects and fungal damage. While the book’s pages had gathered dust and shown signs of wear over time, the neem leaves placed within the pages have remarkably preserved it. When Ajay Bahadur and his team examined the text, they were astonished to find the leaves still intact and effective in preventing its degradation.

Ajay Bahadur Singh noted that it was the first time he had opened the book, revealing how the practice of inserting neem leaves to protect valuable manuscripts and documents was both effective and deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of India’s princely states. In that era, many states dedicated resources and specific departments to the conservation of historical documents, using methods like neem leaves as part of their preservation process.

This discovery not only highlights the advanced preservation techniques used over a century ago but also reinforces the scientific understanding of neem's natural properties. The leaves’ efficacy after 112 years is a testament to the foresight of past generations in preserving cultural and historical documents.