Detailed Summary
This section discusses the tradition of handwritten manuscripts in India, particularly before the widespread introduction of printing technology. Manuscripts were crafted in various scripts including Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian, and regional languages on materials such as palm leaves and handmade paper. Their creation was often an art form, with many featuring beautiful illustrations.
However, the use of manuscripts was not without challenges. They were expensive and fragile, which limited their accessibility and everyday use. Although some networks of village schools existed, many students primarily learned to write rather than to read, copying texts dictated from memory instead of engaging with written content.
The emergence of printing technology transformed this landscape. The first printing press in India came with Portuguese missionaries in the mid-16th century, marking the beginning of a shift from manuscript to print culture. The section hints at how this transition would later facilitate broader literacy and access to knowledge for various demographics, setting the stage for significant cultural and social changes.