About Sindh Archives

Sindh Archives functions as a directorate operating under the aegis of the Culture, Tourism, Antiquities & Archives Department of the Government of Sindh, Pakistan. Within its premises, it diligently safeguards and preserves an extensive collection of governmental records, antiquarian books, and rare literary materials that span centuries. The primary aim is to imbue history with vitality and cater to the growing hunger for knowledge among contemporary and future researchers by ensuring the readily accessible wealth of invaluable national information.

Our mandate encompasses the active acquisition of historical records, with the objective of chronicling the collective experiences of our nation. Sindh Archives also strives to promote cooperation and collaboration with other institutions dedicated to the preservation of archival records. To furnish comprehensive resources to researchers, we procure copies of significant collections related to the history and culture of Sindh, consolidating these materials under a single roof. We have devised long-term plans for the development of Sindh Archives, including the initiation of three projects aimed at modernizing our operations. Resources have been allocated to enhance the visibility of our holdings and make them more accessible to the public.

Sindh Archives offers a diverse array of research materials, encompassing both primary and secondary sources. In addition to original documents, we house reproductions of archival collections from esteemed institutions such as the National Archives of Pakistan and the India Office Library. These archival records predominantly pertain to the history and culture of Sindh, as well as the broader subcontinent. Furthermore, we maintain a research library that boasts a collection of over 40,000 books, including rare volumes.

The cornerstone of our collection consists of the Commissioner’s records, which encompass government documents primarily dating from 1820 to 1936. Approximately 50% of these records are handwritten, with the majority documented in English, while around 15% are written in Persian, Sindhi, Urdu, and Hindi. These records are a testament to the early 19th century, spanning from 1820 to 1935, and they encompass an impressive 34,465 sub-files containing a wealth of correspondence, circulars, directives, memoranda, exchanges of notes, treaties, and more. These documents originate from various concerned agencies, including the President and Governor in Council, Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay, the Government of India, Colonel Pottenger, the Mirs of Sindh, Sir Charles James Napier, letters and appeals from prominent individuals, Farmans (royal decrees), pedigrees, maps, and much more. This material remains largely unexplored by researchers, concealing numerous facets of history that await discovery and illumination.