Case Study: Conservation of Paper Document
Summary
This case study examines the conservation of a severely damaged handwritten paper document at the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Institute of Indology in Ahmedabad, which was established in 1963 with the support of Agamaprabhakar Muni Sri Punyavijayaji Maharaj and Shri Kasturbhai Lalbhai and inaugurated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The document, dating to Vikram Samvat 1696, was written on handmade paper using lamp-black ink in both Persian and Devanagari scripts. It was found in a highly fragile state with holes, tears, and unscientific prior restorations involving faulty adhesive cotton cloth lining from the rear and improper folding. The paper exhibited a pH of 5, and the document's length of 66.5 by 23.4 centimeters made flat storage difficult. The conservation treatment, guided by principles from sources such as Agrawal, O.P.'s works and Herman, K's *Conservation and Restoration of Work of Art and Antiquities*, addressed several problems. First, the document was fumigated with thymol and para-dichlorobenzene, and superficial dust was removed. To separate the cotton cloth lining without damaging the sensitive ink, a water and methanol (1:1) solution was applied via a fine sprayer and round brush. Paper strips and sellotape were removed from the rear using the same solution and dichloromethane, respectively. Dark stains from the faulty adhesive were removed by bathing the document in a water and methanol solution, with remaining stains treated using carbon tetrachloride and dichloromethane. The document was de-acidified with a 2% barium hydroxide buffer solution, raising the pH to 8, while the acidic cotton cloth was treated with calcium hydroxide and calcium bicarbonate. To consolidate the paper, a *vasli* was prepared using 9-10 GSM banana tissue paper and CMC® paste. The document was pasted onto the *vasli*, missing portions were filled with tissue paper, and the original cotton cloth lining was reattached to maintain its appearance. Finally, the document was prepared for storage as a scroll inside a PVC® pipe covered with acid-free handmade paper and de-starched muslin cloth, with wax paper placed on it to prevent abrasion.
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Conclusion
The conservation of a 350-year-old paper document at the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Institute of Indology highlights the critical importance of scientific, curative conservation for preserving invaluable historical manuscripts. The study demonstrates that unscientific restoration practices, such as the use of faulty adhesives and incorrect folding, can severely compromise a document's structural integrity and legibility. The successful treatment underscores the necessity of a meticulous, multi-step process involving the careful separation of previous linings, the removal of stains and tapes, de-acidification to neutralize pH levels, and the reinforcement of the paper with appropriate tissue. Furthermore, the implementation of a custom scroll storage system effectively mitigates future risks from physical stress and environmental degradation. This case serves as a significant model for manuscript preservation, emphasizing that proactive, evidence-based interventions are essential to safeguarding India's rich documentary heritage for future scholarly research.