Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Institute of Indology was founded in 1957. It is a research centre promoting doctoral and post-doctoral studies in
Sanskrit, Prakrit and ancient Indian culture. There is well equipped library containing nearly 75,000 rare manuscripts. The collection covers a wide range of subjects such as
Vedas,
Agamas, Tantras, Jaina Darshana, systems of Indian philosophy, grammar, parody, poetics, lexicography, and medicine. These manuscripts are written in Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhramsa, Old Gujarati, Hindi and Rajasthani.
The institute collects and preserves ancient manuscripts so that the invaluable treasures of the past are not lost to posterity. The institute undertakes publication of critical editions of unpublished manuscripts.
The antique collection of the institute includes sculptures in metal and stone, wood-works, copper plates, vijnaptipatras and paintings.
