Ayurveda, the Ancient Science of life, immortalized in the form of elegant Sanskrit stanzas in the Samhitas describing diagnosis and therapy of diseases as well as ways to maintain positive health. Earlier to this the knowledge transfer was done through oral tradition and probably due to the decline in knowledge and memory status of human being the tradition of documentation started. The early documentation were in the form of hand written palm leaf manuscripts, special plant products such as bark (Bhoorja patra), cloth etc. which continued till the invention of paper. In early nineteen century only few of these Ayurvedic manuscripts were brought out in printed form on paper.

India possesses more than an estimate of five million manuscripts, making the largest repository of manuscripts wealth in the world. But unfortunately this tremendous pool of knowledge is under threat and a number of the manuscripts are disappearing at an alarming rate. Further, thousands of manuscripts lying in urgent need of conservation in a number of institutions around the country. In addition to this, all the manuscripts in their original forms are not easily accessible to everyone because of so many reasons.

Library of Gujarat Ayurved University is rich in Collections of manuscripts and many other valuable literatures related to Ayurveda and allied sciences. Total number of manuscripts in the library nearly about 7350, many of them are related with Ayurvedic system of medicine. it is preserved in university library as a property of Gulabkunverba Ayuvedic Society and Government of Gujarat. These manuscripts had been handed over to Government of Gujarat by the Ex. Princely State of Gondal Shri Bhagwat Singh Ji. A project was initiated by this institute [IPGT&RA] under EMR Project of AYUSH, New Delhi. Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, a constituent institute of Gujarat Ayurved University, is the oldest and premier research institute of Ayurveda in India, conducting Post graduate education and Doctorial research work on Ayurveda. The Institute has passed many a milestones of teaching & research in Ayurveda and has some worthy publications to its credit. A total of 563 manuscripts had been digitalized in this first attempt.

The Principal Investigator of this project is a veteran in the field of Ayurvedic teaching and research, who is a senior Professors of the institute, and has published a database on researches carried out in different postgraduate institutes in India entitled ‘Researches in Ayurveda’; this was the first step in this regard.

Acknowledgements:
The project team would like to keep on record the generous help received and convey our gratitude to all the following in initiation of the work and all help received during the course of preparation of this Digitization of manuscripts:

Prof. M. L. Sharma, Honourable Ex. Vice Chancellor, Gujarat Ayurved University, jamnagar  Prof. M. S. Baghel, Ex. Director, IPGT&RA, Jamnagar, Gujarat State, India Shri R.M. Jhala, Ex. Registrar, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar All Heads of Departments, Faculty members & staff of IPGT&RA, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar Librarian & Staff of University Library, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar Shri Biju john, PPS (IT) to VC, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar Shri Uday Donga, Computer Programmer, IPGT&RA, Jamnagar Staff of Administrative & Accounts Departments of IPGT&RA, Jamnagar

Finally the project team would like to acknowledge the altruistic help and services received from all individuals and from all corners for the successful completion of this task.