National Archives of India Celebrates 135th Foundation Day & Launches ‘Gyan Bharatam Mission’

The National Archives of India (NAI) marked its 135th Foundation Day on March 11, 2025, with the inauguration of an exhibition titled “Indian Heritage through Architecture” by Union Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. The exhibition highlighted India’s diverse architectural heritage, showcasing original archival documents and rare historical records. The event also saw the launch of the ‘Gyan Bharatam Mission,’ aimed at expanding access to India’s vast knowledge repository. Additionally, the world’s largest digitization program is underway at NAI, preserving and digitizing millions of historical documents.

Key Highlights of the 135th Foundation Day Celebration

1. Exhibition: “Indian Heritage through Architecture”

• Showcased India’s architectural legacy, covering ancient, medieval, Mughal, and colonial-era structures.
• Displayed official government files, personal papers of eminent personalities, UNESCO documents, and archaeological excavation records.
• Thematic clusters allowed in-depth exploration of cultural and spiritual significance.

2. Launch of ‘Gyan Bharatam Mission’

• A visionary initiative to expand access to India’s vast knowledge repository.
• Inspired by the success of the NAI’s digitization program.
• Aims to make historical documents accessible to a wider audience.

3. World’s Largest Digitization Program

• Over six lakh pages conserved per month.
• Lakhs of pages digitized daily to preserve historical documents.
• Focus on enhancing research accessibility and safeguarding India’s documentary heritage.

4. Release of ‘Thumb Printed: Champaran, Indigo Peasants Speak to Gandhi Volume III’

• Documents 423 testimonies from the Champaran Satyagraha.
• Includes 143 principal testators, with 5 women and 11 minors.
• Highlights the voices of indigo farmers who suffered under British rule.

5. Historical Background of the National Archives of India

• Established as the Imperial Record Department in Kolkata on March 11, 1891.
• Shifted to Delhi in 1911, with the current building completed in 1926.
• Fully transferred from Kolkata to Delhi by 1937.
• Functions under the Ministry of Culture and implements the Public Records Act, 1993, and Public Record Rules, 1997.

6. National Archives of India’s Repository

• Holds over 34 crore pages of Public Records.
• Collection includes maps, treaties, rare manuscripts, cartographic records, parliamentary debates, censuses, travel accounts, and proscribed literature.
• Records available in multiple languages, including Sanskrit, Persian, and Odia.

7. Commitment to Historical Preservation

• Ensuring long-term conservation of historical documents through digitization and archival conservation.
• Public outreach initiatives to engage researchers and citizens.
• Preserving India’s rich heritage for future generations.