Press Release: Handover of Historical Manuscripts of Nepal from Heidelberg – Ministry Of Foreign Affairs

A.D.:
Nepal Samvat: 1146 WACHHALATHWA ASTAMI – 8
April 24, 2026, 07:00 PM
Handover of Historical Manuscripts of Nepal from Heidelberg
Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Mr. Sagar Prasad Phuyal of the Embassy of Nepal in Berlin and
Prof. Dr. Axel Michaels of Heidelberg University signed the handover agreement for restitution of a significant number of historical manuscripts of Nepal at a special ceremony held at the Centre for Asian and Transcultural Studies (CATS), Heidelberg.
The manuscripts scheduled to return to Nepal comprise over 800 rare items dating from the 13th to the 20th century. The collection, widely known as the Walter Rindfleisch Collection, includes 460 highly fragile palm-leaf manuscripts, handwritten in Sanskrit and Nepal Bhasha/Newari using Bhujimol script — some among the earliest recorded manuscript traditions of Nepal—alongside royal documents, court records, Sanskrit texts, Tantric text (Smasanyoga), Ayurveda text,  personal notes, travel diaries and historically significant correspondences.
The collection was entrusted by a private German collector to Prof. Dr. Michaels, a senior professor at Heidelberg University, with the intention of returning these valuable cultural materials to Nepal. Prior to their repatriation, the manuscripts underwent extensive conservation, digitization and scientific cataloguing under the leadership of Prof. Michaels and with the support of the Heidelberg University Library.
Receiving the manuscripts, CDA a.i. Mr. Phuyal expressed sincere appreciation to
Professor Dr. Michaels and all individuals involved in the preservation and repatriation process. He highlighted that this gesture reflects a deep respect for Nepal’s cultural heritage and contributes significantly to the country’s ongoing efforts to recover and safeguard its historical assets.
Mr. Phuyal also acknowledged the remarkable academic contributions of Prof Michaels and the distinguished scholars of South Asian Institute at Heidelberg University, whose sustained research and dedication have significantly advanced the understanding and preservation of Nepal’s historic and cultural heritage.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Marc-Philippe Weller, Vice-Rector for International Affairs and Diversity at Heidelberg University, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to academic cooperation and the ethical stewardship of cultural heritage.
Also, speaking on the occasion, Prof. Michaels emphasized the cultural and historical importance of the collection, noting that it is likely the largest assemblage of Nepali palm-leaf manuscripts outside Nepal. He underscored that the digitization of the collection will enable global scholarly access, while its physical return represents a meaningful step toward fulfilling historical responsibility and cultural restitution.
Professor Dr. Hans Harder, Head of South Asian Institute commended on the contribution of the South Asian Institute and Center for Asian and Transcultural Studies (CATS), Heidelberg in archiving and constituting of the heritage documents.
Prof. Dr. Christiane Brosius highlighted the ongoing Nepal Heritage Documentation Project emphasized on the need for collaborative efforts towards preserving heritage for social cohesion and resilience especially in the aftermath of the earthquake in 2015 in Nepal.
Dr. Manik Bajracharya and Dr. Rajan Khatiwoda, fellow researchers at the South Asian Institute of Heidelberg University highlighted the work process of receiving, cataloging, conserving and restitution of Rindfleisch collection.
The Embassy and Heidelberg University expressed their shared commitment to further strengthen the academic and cultural collaboration. Both sides reiterated the importance of preserving cultural heritage and enhancing people-to-people ties between Nepal and Germany.
Representatives from Heidelberg University, scholars, students and mediapersons were present at the ceremony. Mr. Ranjan Yadav, First Secretary and Mr. Dipendra Prasad Sah, Third Secretary were also present at the ceremony.
The manuscripts will be transferred to Nepal and handed over to the concerned national authorities for preservation, research, and public access in due course.
 
Embassy of Nepal, Berlin
24 April 2026
Singhadurbar, Kathmandu

source