The Ramayana

More than 2,000 years old and 24,000 verses long, the Ramayana is one of the most important Hindu myths. A minutely detailed manuscript of the epic from the 17th century has gone on display for the first time in the British Library, a severely abridged version of which can be seen below.

The battle is won

In the final battle Rama pierces Ravana's breast and he falls lifeless from his chariot.