Object description

Sharada Peeth , 𑆯𑆳𑆫𑆢𑆳 𑆥𑆵𑆜 ) is a ruined Hindu temple and ancient centre of learning located in present-day Azad Kashmir. Between the 6th and 12th centuries CE, it was among the most prominent temple universities in the Indian subcontinent. Known in particular for its library, stories recount scholars travelling long distances to access its texts. It played a key role in the development and popularisation of the Sharada script in North India, causing the script to be named after it, and Kashmir to acquire the moniker "Sharada Desh", meaning "country of Sharada".