Depending on the text, the choice and availability of materials the inscriptions are written on durable mediums, like stone, copper, iron and silver. During ancient times for writing books and long texts the use of Bhojpatra was very much common. The earliest reference regarding the use of Bhojpatra is known from the narrations of the Greek writer Curtius. The earliest known copy of manuscript on bark is that of the Dhammapad, found from Khotan. The text is in Kharoshti and is dated to 2-3- centuries AD. Copies of manuscript written on Bhojpatra have been obtained from Kashmir from 15- century AD onwards. The use of palm leaves for writing was in vogue in ancient India. A part of drama, written on these leaves and dated to 2-century AD is the earliest known specimen of this type.

The Muslims introduced paper for the first time in India. The Chinese invented it in the year AD 105. The earliest evidence of paper being used is obtained from two sites, Kashgar and Kugir in Central Asia. The script of these manuscripts is Gupta Brahmi dated to 5th century AD. The manuscripts on paper obtained from Gujrat and Rajputane are dated to 14' century AD. Cotton cloth was also used as material for writingdown text. Even now, these are used for special purposes.
In ancient India ink was known as "massi'. This word is used very commonly in the "Grihasutras" written before the Christian era. The earliest evidence of ink being used is known from the relic casket of stupa at Andher, dated to 2-century BC.

Important manuscripts are displayed in this gallery. A manuscript on paper, named Naishidyacharitam was written by the Jaina Acharya Yashodevsuri and is addressed to his disciple Shri Kshamendra. It is in Sanskrit language and Nagari script and was written in Samvat 1756. This manuscript was obtained from Shri Bhaironlal of Chandwasa in Mandsaur district. Significantly, barring few chapters all are having the titles intact, which is not available in the editions published by Nirnay Sagar. The copy of the great poet Matiram titled Rasraj was not completed. Herein the serial of alphabets namely 'pa' and 'ya' are interchanged. The holder of copyright Shri Lalagajdhar in Vikram Samvat 1898 wrote this poem in Hindi language and Devnagari script. Another incomplete work named 'Rasraj Ki Teeka' has the serial changed in the order of alphabets. The work in Hindi language and Devnagari script neither provides the name of the writer nor indicates the date. The work of Shri Shivlal Rawat of Maihar is a copy of Hanuman Virudhavali originally written by Tulsi. The copy was prepared in Hindi language and Devnagari script, in Samvat 1880.