Situated at the Rajpath-Janpath crossing in the heart of New Delhi, National Archives of India is the repository of records of enduring value to posterity. Established at Calcutta in 1891 as the Imperial Record Department, it shifted to Delhi after the present building was completed in 1926.
The regular series in the National Archives of India begin from 1748 but the oldest document being preserved dates back to 1352 A.D. The total holdings of the National Archives comprising approximately 30,00,000 files, volumes, maps etc. cover about 30 kms. of shelf space.
Apart from public records, National Archives of India has assiduously built up a rich collection of private papers of eminent personalities like Mahatma Gandhi, Rajendra Prasad, Maulana Azad, G.B. Pant, B.R. Ambedkar, M.R. Jayakar, Dadabhai Naoroji, etc. There is also a vast collection of Persian records, including ‘farmans’ of Mughal Emperors. A variety of reference material like Guides, Indexes, Catalogues, etc. are available for the benefit of research scholars.
Scientific preservation of records is accorded highest priority by the Department which has adopted the most modern methods of repair. It has a Chemical Research Laboratory to facilitate research on conservation of documents, paper and allied materials. The School of Archival Studies imparts training in various disciplines of Archival Science and trainees from various countries like Thailand, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Uganda, Burma, Korea, Kenya, Malaysia, etc. have availed of its training programmes. Keeping pace with the latest technological advances, National Archives has initiated steps to computerise its records for quick retrieval of information. It also maintains a liaison with other Ministries and Departments of the Government of India as also various State Archives and has offered its advice and expertise for the scientific management and preservation of records.
Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India