Journal of - International Society for the History of Islamic Medicine

Procedure of Manuscript Study in Post Graduate
Education of Unani Medicine: A Reappraisal
Ashfaq AHMAD *, Ala NARAYANA**
*Research Officer (Unani), **Director, National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (C.C.R.A.S.), 3rd Floor, Osmania Medical College building,
Putlibowli, Hyderabad-500095, India.
e-mail: rounaniccras@gmail.com
Summary
Unani Tib as the active representative of a great historical medical traditions remains an important subject for medical historians as well as contemporary
practitioners
It is well known fact that a vast literature of Unani system of medicine is lying unexplored in the form of manuscripts which were written and transcribed
through various eras and years in India and abroad in different languages many of which are still unpublished.
Many of the glorious creations of these manuscripts have already been lost through the passage of times, human vandalism and neglect, therefore it
is imperative that we consolidate our efforts and consult together to conserve the material remains of our cultural heritage. Besides representing the achievements
of the past Unani scholars, they primarily reflect the urge of man to lead a higher life. It is a source of great inspiration to those of us living in
modern times that even when the facilities have not been generous, life was still lived with full cure and prevention. 1
The situation is gloomy and much needs to be done to create more interest in the study of Unani manuscripts.
All Unani post graduate departments should grant a top place of priority to the science of manuscriptology, because all the early literature that is now
available in printed form originally are hand written, so manuscript is the basis for the learning of science today and manuscriptology can be considered
as ‘science of sciences’. Collection and digitization of manuscripts and to make them available on website for easy accession is utmost need of the hour.
Available post graduate Unani scholars across the country should be made engaged in these manuscripts and treasures for exploration, deep study
and preparation of subject wise compilations. There is also an urgent need of bringing out ancient classics with commentaries by famous authors. New
literature produced on account of these studies should be made available to the people at large.
A discussion about importance, scope, procedure etc is presented in the paper in detail.
Key Words: Manuscriptology, Digitisation, Unani Literature, Medical History
Introduction
Unani system of Medicine derived its basics from the
great Greek physicians of yore and evolved steadily and
gradually in western Asia, withdrew from the region of
its birth, first expanded and then shrank into the Indian
subcontinent. It transmitted in India through Arabic and
Persian sources and is practiced alongside Ayurvedic and
modern western medicine. 9 India became the centre for
rebirth of Greco-Arab Medicine where it is preserved in
its classical form, overhauled and revamped drastically on
scientific lines and patronized by the state. A self reliant
and self propelling system in the domain of Unani Medicine
is evolving. Now it stages a comeback in the region
of its birth, expands extensively in its present habitat and
wins acceptance in western countries. Erudite scholars of
India are engaged in abiding contribution to the evolution
of Unani System.
The ancient traditional knowledge of healing art is hidden
in the form of manuscript which is practiced since
centuries by thousands of practitioners in different parts of
the world based on the fundamental principles laid down
by the ancient scholars in classics. There is no change in
philosophical background, fundamental principles and
concepts, only applied aspects have not been static. Pattern
of diseases, form of treatment, number of drugs, method
of application and many others recorded by ancient physicians
scholarly are lying unrevealed in the form of manuscript.
The form of the book is ever changing; neither its physical
shape nor its materials are in any way fixed. India possesses
a rich and enormous cultural heritage of manuscript
since the ancient period. India probably has the largest
number of manuscript in the world mainly due to its centuries
old prosperous literary traditions and late arrival of
printing press.
ISHIM 2011-2012 95