The National Archives of India website serves as a repository of the non-current records of the Government of India, holding them in trust for the use of citizens and researchers. The website provides access to a vast corpus of records, including public records, private papers , and manuscripts.
History of the National Archives of India
The National Archives of India was established on 11 March 1891 as the Imperial Record Department in Calcutta, British India. After India gained independence, the department was renamed the National Archives of India and was shifted to New Delhi.
Collections and Holdings
The National Archives of India has a vast collection of records, including:
- Public Records: These include records of the central government, state governments, and other public institutions.
- Private Papers: These include personal papers of prominent individuals, including politicians, writers, and artists.
- Manuscripts: These include handwritten documents, including ancient texts and historical manuscripts.
Services and Facilities
The National Archives of India provides several services and facilities to researchers and citizens, including:
- Research Room: A dedicated space for researchers to access and study records.
- Exhibition Hall: A space for exhibitions and displays of records and artifacts.
- Library: A collection of books and publications related to Indian history and culture.
- Conservation Laboratory: A facility for the conservation and preservation of records.
Abhilekh-Patal
Abhilekh-Patal is an online portal that provides access to the digitized collections of the National Archives of India. The portal allows users to search and access records online, and also provides information on the holdings and services of the National Archives.
Contact Information
- Address: National Archives of India, Janpath, New Delhi – 110001
- Phone: 011-23388557
- Fax: 011-23381540
- Email: director.nai@nic.in
Regional Offices and Record Centres
The National Archives of India has several regional offices and record centers across the country, including:
- Regional Office: Bhopal
- Record Centres: Bhubaneswar, Jaipur, and Puducherry
International Collaborations
The National Archives of India has collaborations with several international institutions, including:
- National Archives of Afghanistan: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the National Archives of India and the National Archives of Afghanistan for improved records management practices.
