Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Resource: State Archives of West Bengal
A review of the State Archives of West Bengal in the Fresh From the Archives section on Dissertation Reviews, written by someone working on an architecture/landscape project. Choice quote: "Historians enthused by the oscillating, isolating, frustrating and
Derridean experiences of archival forays will thrive in this research
room."
Thursday, March 24, 2016
National Archives of India
An update to my 2009 post by Willy Logan, based on his March 2015 experience.
I was pleased to see during my last visit to Delhi how much easier and less stressful travel was by metro. Research is so much more pleasant when you arrive at the archive relaxed after an easy journey.
Other archives discussed by Logan:
I was pleased to see during my last visit to Delhi how much easier and less stressful travel was by metro. Research is so much more pleasant when you arrive at the archive relaxed after an easy journey.
Other archives discussed by Logan:
- Resources in Assam
- National Library of India
- Nehru Museum and Library (Teen Murti)
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Resource: Maharashtra State Archives
From a review of the Maharashtra State Archives in the Fresh From the Archives section on Dissertation Reviews:
"The Maharashtra State Archives primarily contains over 500,000 files relating to the expansion, governance and termination of British colonial rule in the Bombay Presidency. The documents date right back to the seventeenth century and the earliest phase of English East India Company rule in Bombay, ending somewhat abruptly in the immediate postcolonial period."
Also a good resource for archival material on the greater Indian Ocean region.
"The Maharashtra State Archives primarily contains over 500,000 files relating to the expansion, governance and termination of British colonial rule in the Bombay Presidency. The documents date right back to the seventeenth century and the earliest phase of English East India Company rule in Bombay, ending somewhat abruptly in the immediate postcolonial period."
Also a good resource for archival material on the greater Indian Ocean region.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Resource: Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (India)
There's a good write-up of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (India) in the Fresh From the Archives section on Dissertation Reviews.
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Planning Your Research Trip
Some advice on planning your research trip to India from my alma mater:
https://publish.illinois.edu/iaslibrary/2015/01/28/planning-your-research-trip-to-india/
https://publish.illinois.edu/iaslibrary/2015/01/28/planning-your-research-trip-to-india/
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Twenty Libraries: Review
In a recent issue of Sagar: A South Asia Research Journal, Daniel Majchrowicz, Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University, offered short reviews of 20 libraries in Delhi. Who knew? I've only been to one of them.
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Indian Institute of Astrophysics
This is a new research project for me, and it's taking me to new places, namely, Bangalore and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics. I'm here looking for items related to the Madras and Kodaikanal Observatories. I spend most of my day at the IIA Library and the IIA Archives. The staff has been friendly and helpful, and I'm gathering all sorts of useful bits. Access to the IIA didn't seem complicated compared to what I had to deal with even a few years ago, so I'm finding this a pretty low stress research trip. It's easy to order photocopies, it's easy to order books, and I've been allowed to transcribe some of Pogson's observing logs.
IIA Access Policy
List of Items Available in the IIA Archives
The library is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
Wifi is available on campus.
The IIA is also in charge of the Kodaikanal Observatory. The librarian at IIA has been very generous with her time (she's in the midst of retiring) and has introduced me to a few of the research scientists and administrators here. One result of all this care is that arranging a research visit to Kodai has been a piece of cake. I was worried about accommodations, but it been determined that I qualify to stay at the observatory guest house. Exciting!
Nuts & Bolts
Accommodations:
This is getting easier by the month. I actually used airbnb to find a place this visit. It's not necessarily easy finding a place close to IIA this way, but public transportation is reliable and the library doesn't open until mid-morning, so you have time to travel to Koramanagala.
Getting there:
I'm staying in HSR Layout / Sector 6. It's not too difficult getting an autorickshaw when I need one, but I usually take the AC bus. KIA-7 is a bus that conveniently runs along Sarjapura Road by IIA on the way to the airport. If you need a landmark for an auto or taxi driver, St. John's Medical College Hospital on Sarjapura Road is your best best. The main gate to IAA is on 100 Feet Road, which is off Sarjapura. It's also not too far to walk from Hosur Road if you get off the auto somewhere near the Madiwalla underpass. The best landmark there is actually FabIndia, just up 100 Feet Road from Hosur Road. I've taken several more buses (non-AC) in Bangalore than I would have in Delhi -- it's easier and generally feels safer.
Dining:
There's a decent canteen on the main campus, costs 30 r. or something like that for a meal. If you must get out for some air, go out to 100 Feet Rd., cross Sarjapura, and in about 3 blocks you will find a Cafe Coffee Day, around 7th Cross Road. There are some sweets shops down that way, too. On the weekend, there's this place called Brahmin's in Basavanagudi that has the world's best idli. Trust me on this one. Less than 100 r. for two lovely plates of food.
IIA Access Policy
List of Items Available in the IIA Archives
The library is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
Wifi is available on campus.
The IIA is also in charge of the Kodaikanal Observatory. The librarian at IIA has been very generous with her time (she's in the midst of retiring) and has introduced me to a few of the research scientists and administrators here. One result of all this care is that arranging a research visit to Kodai has been a piece of cake. I was worried about accommodations, but it been determined that I qualify to stay at the observatory guest house. Exciting!
Nuts & Bolts
Accommodations:
This is getting easier by the month. I actually used airbnb to find a place this visit. It's not necessarily easy finding a place close to IIA this way, but public transportation is reliable and the library doesn't open until mid-morning, so you have time to travel to Koramanagala.
Getting there:
I'm staying in HSR Layout / Sector 6. It's not too difficult getting an autorickshaw when I need one, but I usually take the AC bus. KIA-7 is a bus that conveniently runs along Sarjapura Road by IIA on the way to the airport. If you need a landmark for an auto or taxi driver, St. John's Medical College Hospital on Sarjapura Road is your best best. The main gate to IAA is on 100 Feet Road, which is off Sarjapura. It's also not too far to walk from Hosur Road if you get off the auto somewhere near the Madiwalla underpass. The best landmark there is actually FabIndia, just up 100 Feet Road from Hosur Road. I've taken several more buses (non-AC) in Bangalore than I would have in Delhi -- it's easier and generally feels safer.
Dining:
There's a decent canteen on the main campus, costs 30 r. or something like that for a meal. If you must get out for some air, go out to 100 Feet Rd., cross Sarjapura, and in about 3 blocks you will find a Cafe Coffee Day, around 7th Cross Road. There are some sweets shops down that way, too. On the weekend, there's this place called Brahmin's in Basavanagudi that has the world's best idli. Trust me on this one. Less than 100 r. for two lovely plates of food.
Labels:
Accommodation,
archives,
Bangalore,
IIA,
India,
Kodaikanal
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