Tata Central Archives

I admit it. I didn't even know this was a thing. But wow, the Tata Central Business Archives seem like an awesome source for researching the Tata role in urban planning and modern architecture. I wish I'd known about this when I was in Bangalore, it would have been a fantastic follow-up to my time spent at IISc.

I hope the research experience is as nice is person as it is on the web.

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."

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:

• Resources in Assam
• National Library of India
• Nehru Museum and Library (Teen Murti)

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.

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.

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/

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.