From: "Linda Dwyer" <dwyer@MAIL.H-NET.MSU.EDU>
To: <H-ASIA@H-NET.MSU.EDU>
Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2012 7:01 AM
Subject: H-ASIA: Indian archives... (4 responses)
> H-ASIA
> January 9, 2012
>
> Indian archives
> *************
> 1) From: Johan Mathew <johan.mathew@gmail.com>
>
> I visited the Maharashtra State Archives on a tourist visa several times
> between 2008 and 2010 and each year had to renew my registration. What I
> needed was a letter from my department and a letter from the Mumbai
> Consulate stating that I had a valid passport and visa and was requesting
> access to the archives. I got mine from the US consulate but it is the
> same
> for all foreigners. I set up an appt. at the US consulate through their
> website and they issued the letter in about half an hour. If I
> remembercorrectly it costs 25$ in Mumbai and 50$ in Delhi. I did not have
> a research visa or any permission from the Dept. of Education, but with
> the consulate letter was able to get immediate access.
>
> As I understand it, the access policies to the MSA were liberalized a few
> years ago with a new director, and unless they have drastically changed in
> the past two years I expect you very well could make a "drive-by" visit to
> the archives. Also there certainly are chairs in the MSA. The reading
> room
> is small and is busier during Indian vacation periods, but I was always
> able to find a table and chair if I arrived before 10am. It is a very
> rich
> and still under-utilized archive (probably because of the formerly
> draconian policies) so it is well worth a visit.
>
> Good Luck,
>
> Johan Mathew
> PhD Candidate
> Harvard University
> ----
>
> 2) From: Radhika Seshan [seshan.radhika@gmail.com]
>
> AT the Maharashtra archives, get in early! The archives opens at 10, and
> the staff is usually helpful, so you won't need to practise sitting
> cross-legged. There've been times when I've had some of the staff clear
> sections of their own tables, so that I could spread out my work and sit.
> Can't help on West Bengla archives, though!
>
> However, Maharashtra state archives has had quite a problem with
> preservation, which is only now being addressed. Material that I had seen
> in the 1980s is no longer available, and until about three years ago,
> digitisation had not started on any of the pre-19th century documents. One
> of the best libraries that I've worked in has been the Saraswati Mahal
> Library, Thanjavur. The staff is good and knowledgeable, and very often,
> I've had some of the staff come and ask me what I'm working on, and
> suggest
> allied readings.
>
> Tamil Nadu archives is now much better than earlier, and the Reading Room
> Research Officer, one Mrs. Hemalatha, is really helpful, especially for
> those who're working on a very strict time-table.
>
> Radhika Seshan
> University of Hyderabad
> --------
>
> 3)From: Arne Harms <arne.harms@googlemail.com>
>
> Hi,
>
> If memory doesn't fail me, I had to supply an additional letter by the
> German embassy in Kolkata (which should state that they support my
> research) to be allowed to access the state archives of West Bengal. Over
> there in writers building a research visa would be necessary if you are
> interested in anything after 1947. Because the only accessible documents
> from postcolonial times are (to my knowledge) stacked in the library of
> the writers building (or so it is called) - to access the library you
> definitely need a research visa. And, of course, they do have chairs.
>
> Best of luck,
> Arne Harms
>
> PhD-Candidate
> Freie Universität Berlin
> Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology
> ----
>
> 4) From: Tansen Sen [Tansen.Sen@baruch.cuny.edu]
>
> I have been working on the Intelligence Bureau (IB) files at the West
> Bengal State Archives in Kolkata for the past two years. There are three
> branches, one located at Bhowani Dutta Lane (for pre-20th century
> material), near Calcutta University; one at Writer's Building in central
> Kolkata (for 20th century records); and a third at 43 Shakespeare Sarani
> near Park Street (for IB files).
>
> Foreign nationals usually need a letter from their embassies/consulates in
> order to get a membership card, although the staff might let you use the
> indices without it.
>
> Nothing is digitized, so it is time consuming process to locate a file of
> interest, request the file, and then receive the file. You can also
> request to photocopy sections of the file (1/3 in most cases and limited
> to 100 pages at one time). It takes at least two weeks to get the
> photocopies back (more in case of post-1947 files). Laptops are not
> allowed at the Shakespeare Sarani branch.
>
> The archives are open from 11-5 on weekdays. Some of the staff are quite
> helpful.
>
> It would of great help if at least the indices are made computer
> searchable. Although, I think even the National Archives in Delhi has not
> done it.
>
> Tansen Sen
> City University of New York and
> Nalanda-Sriwijaya Centre, Singapore
>
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