When we talk about India’s historical legacy, our minds often turn to majestic forts, ancient temples, and sacred manuscripts. But hidden within those manuscripts lies another priceless treasure — the scripts they were written in. One such script, long lost in the folds of time, is Modi Lipi, a centuries-old administrative script that is now making headlines again thanks to an innovative AI tool developed by IIT Roorkee.
What Is Modi Lipi?
Contrary to what the name may suggest, Modi Lipi has nothing to do with modern politics. It is a script that dates back to the 13th century and was widely used until the early 20th century across Maharashtra and surrounding regions. Most notably, it flourished during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who used it extensively for administrative purposes.
From royal decrees, land grants, revenue receipts, to medicinal prescriptions and business transactions — Modi Lipi was the official medium of documentation. What makes this script unique is its speed-friendly cursive style, designed for quick and efficient handwriting, especially useful in pre-printing era bureaucracies.
Why Is Modi Lipi Important Today?
The name ‘Modi’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Mudra’, meaning ‘brief’. As a faster, more practical derivative of Devanagari, it was a crucial tool in maintaining governance across vast territories. Today, over 40 million documents written in Modi Lipi are scattered across archives in India, many of which are gathering dust simply because very few people can still read them.
These documents are not just ink on paper — they are first-hand evidence of India’s socio-political, economic, and medical history. Unfortunately, the lack of experts who can decipher this script has left an entire era of knowledge locked away and inaccessible.
Enter IIT Roorkee: AI to the Rescue
Recognizing this cultural void, researchers at IIT Roorkee have developed MoScNet, an artificial intelligence model capable of reading Modi Lipi and transliterating it into Devanagari script. This groundbreaking initiative is the world’s first AI tool built specifically for this purpose.
MoScNet uses machine learning to analyze scanned images of historical documents written in Modi Lipi and converts them into readable, digital Devanagari text. This makes the content accessible not just to scholars and historians, but also to curious learners and the general public.
Why This Matters for India’s Heritage
The fusion of AI and ancient Indian scripts opens new avenues for research, translation, and preservation. From historical treaties and legal records to scientific and medicinal texts — these rediscovered documents could reshape our understanding of India’s intellectual and administrative traditions.
Moreover, the tool provides an invaluable resource for historians working to digitize India’s vast manuscript heritage, making sure it’s not lost to future generations. It also helps in democratizing history — making ancient knowledge accessible to people outside elite academic circles.
More Than Just a Script
Modi Lipi is more than just a forgotten handwriting style; it is a living relic of India’s administrative genius and cultural continuity. Through tools like MoScNet, we now have the power to bridge the gap between the past and the present using the language of the future — technology.
As India rapidly modernizes, initiatives like these ensure that we don’t lose sight of where we came from. In breathing new life into ancient scripts, IIT Roorkee is not just developing AI — they are rebuilding India’s memory.
