Over 800 historical Nepali manuscripts and documents, dating from the 13th to the 20th century, have been returned to Nepal and officially given to the National Archives.
This collection, part of the private collection of German national Josef Peter Rindfleisch, was presented to Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal during a ceremony at the National Archives in Kathmandu on Friday.
Professor Axel Michaels from Heidelberg University, along with researchers Dr. Manik Bajracharya and Rajan Khatiwoda, facilitated the handover of the collection.
The return of these documents followed a lengthy process involving the Nepali Embassy in Germany, Heidelberg University, the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, the Sharaf Foundation, and Nepal’s National Archives.
Collection Features Rare Palm-Leaf Manuscripts
Known as the Walter Rindfleisch Collection, this assembly includes over 800 historical items gathered from Nepal between the 1780s and the 1990s.
Significant materials include 465 palm-leaf manuscripts from the Malla period, along with documents and lal mohar records. The collection also features 312 legal decrees and royal documents from the Shah and Rana periods, many with clay seals.
Furthermore, it contains 18 handwritten texts and travel diaries linked to the offices of Rana prime ministers, as well as 11 manuscripts covering various topics.
These documents encompass royal decrees, court records, Sanskrit texts, personal notes, travel accounts, and other materials that shed light on Nepal’s political, legal, religious, and intellectual history.
Documents Preserved and Digitized in Germany
Before their return, these historical materials were preserved and cataloged by Heidelberg University Library and the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities.
The delicate palm-leaf manuscripts underwent conservation work before being digitized and scientifically cataloged. Heidelberg University reported that the collection includes around 460 palm-leaf scrolls, some dating back to the 13th century.
Professor Axel Michaels played a crucial role in ensuring the collection’s return to Nepal, having been entrusted with the materials with the intention of returning them to their homeland.
The documents were formally handed over to the Nepali government in a ceremony in Heidelberg in April 2026, prior to their transfer to Nepal.
Nepal Welcomes the Return of Historical Heritage
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal emphasized that the return marks a significant step in preserving Nepal’s written cultural heritage.
He noted that the documents provide valuable evidence of Nepal’s historical governance, legal traditions, literature, philosophy, and spiritual life.
Khanal expressed gratitude to Walter Rindfleisch for his desire to return the collection and thanked his son and Professor Michaels for their assistance in making this happen.
He also acknowledged Heidelberg University, the German government, the German Embassy in Kathmandu, and the Nepali Embassy in Berlin for their roles in facilitating the repatriation.
The collection is now under the care of Nepal’s National Archives for preservation, research, and public access.
This return exemplifies the collaboration between Nepal and Germany, aligned with international efforts to protect and repatriate cultural heritage.