University of Mysore · Est. 1891
Oriental Research Institute
Trusted centre for preservation, critical editing, and dissemination of India’s classical knowledge traditions.
Discover ORIAbout the Institute
Welcome to the Oriental Research Institute
One of India’s oldest centres for the preservation, study, and promotion of manuscript heritage — established in 1891 as the Government Oriental Library under Maharaja Chamaraja Wadiyar X, and today a premier research institute of the University of Mysore.
Following the establishment of the University of Mysore in 1916, the Institute expanded from a manuscript repository into an internationally recognised centre for Sanskrit studies, manuscriptology, textual scholarship, and Indological research. ORI remains engaged in manuscript preservation, critical editing of classical texts, scholarly publications, and the dissemination of Indian Knowledge Systems.
Its collections of palm-leaf and paper manuscripts, rare printed books, and archival records span the Vedas, philosophy, grammar, literature, Ayurveda, astronomy, mathematics, law, Jainism, Buddhism, and many allied disciplines — written in multiple languages and scripts.
Discovery and publication of the Arthaśāstra of Kauṭilya by Mahāmahopādhyāya Dr. R. Shamasastry — a milestone that transformed the understanding of ancient Indian polity, administration, and economics.
ORI continues to produce critical editions, catalogues, monographs, and translations consulted worldwide, while advancing conservation, cataloguing, digitisation, and capacity building for scholars from India and abroad.
Explore ORI
Scholarship & resources, organised with clarity
Projects, publications, people, events, and galleries — one institute for India’s manuscript heritage.
Projects & Initiatives
Research programmes in manuscript studies, conservation, and Indian Knowledge Systems.
Publications
Critical editions, catalogues, monographs, and translations for global scholarship.
People & Scholarship
Faculty and researchers in manuscriptology, textual criticism, and palaeography.
Events & Programmes
Symposia, workshops, and gatherings around ORI’s scholarly mission.
Gallery
Visual records of collections, campus life, fieldwork, and scholarly activity.
Our Mission
Five pillars of ORI’s work
A clear path from preservation to public scholarship.
Preserve
Scientific conservation of palm-leaf and paper manuscripts, rare books, and archival records.
Catalogue
Systematic documentation and descriptive cataloguing for scholarly access and long-term care.
Research
Critical editing, textual criticism, and Indological enquiry grounded in primary sources.
Digitise
High-resolution digitisation, metadata, and digital preservation for global accessibility.
Publish
Editions, monographs, and translations that advance Indian Knowledge Systems worldwide.
Upcoming & recent
Events at ORI
Talks, workshops, and scholarly gatherings from the Institute calendar.
All events
4th International Conference on Shrividya
Oriental Research Institute, University of Mysore
Open event
Visual archive
Gallery
Collections, campus life, fieldwork, and scholarly activity at ORI.
Engage with ORI
Explore manuscripts, publications, and research with us
Scholars, students, and institutions are invited to engage with ORI’s collections, expertise, and academic programmes.