International Archives Week

The National Archives of India, initially established in Calcutta in 1891 before being relocated to New Delhi in 1926, serves as the custodian of the nation’s invaluable historical documents. Boasting a vast collection spread over 25 kilometers of shelf space, it houses rare and precious materials of historical significance.

Scholars have lauded the National Archives as having “probably the best historical material in the world,” owing to its extensive archival series dating back to 1748. In addition to its indigenous collection, the Archives has acquired copies of documents from the first half of the eighteenth century, as well as materials from private collections in countries like the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands.

The diversity of languages represented in the Archives, including Sanskrit, Persian, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, and Tamil, adds to its uniqueness. Moreover, the collection includes over twenty thousand maps and memoirs prepared by Indian surveyors.

In an effort to expand its repository, the National Archives has endeavored to acquire the private papers of prominent Indian figures such as Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Pandit Govind Vallabh Pant, and Sarojini Naidu. These documents, spanning various subjects and time periods, enrich the archival material and serve as valuable resources for research.

The Archives is committed to preserving and conserving these documents through modern and sophisticated methods. Notably, it developed the ‘solvent lamination’ process for preserving brittle and fragile documents, earning recognition from archivists worldwide.

Furthermore, the National Archives actively collaborates with government departments, offering guidance on record maintenance and management. It also operates an Institute of Archival Training, providing training in archives keeping.

To honor those involved in the preservation of India’s documentary heritage, the Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department issues a special postage stamp during International Archives Week, recognizing their invaluable contributions to safeguarding the nation’s history for posterity.