Archaeological Survey of India. Circle Reports [1881–1921]

From the middle of the 19th century, the Archaeological Survey of India worked to explore, excavate, conserve, preserve and protect the monuments and sites of national & international importance. The country was divided into a number of zones (called “Circles”), which were responsible for the exploration of new and potential archaeological sites, scientific clearance and small scale excavations, conservation, preservation and protection of sites and monuments under its jurisdiction.

The annual progress reports of the Archaeological Survey of India contain a wealth of material of importance to archaeologists and historians. The Circle Reports are also basic reference material for any student doing research in the field of Indian art. The earliest report is the one for 1881 issued by the Southern Circle. The publication of these reports was discontinued after the report for 1920/21.

Extracts From the Native Press [1874–1916]

These are weekly reports on India vernacular and English-language newspapers, arranged by province. In some cases this is the only evidence of the contents of short-lived newspapers, since many of the original papers have not survived. The items selected for notice are often revealing, both of the newspapers’ contents, and the selector’s criteria. SAMP acquired early collections for Bengal, Northwestern Frontier Province, Bombay, and Punjab.

Kaiser-i-Hind [1882–1981]

This newspaper, published in Gujarati and English, became a platform for the Indian National Congress formed in 1885. The paper represents the view of the Parsi community in India and is of great historical value to historians, scholars, and political scientists. Filmed in collaboration with the International Coalition on Newspapers.

India Land Settlement Reports

SAMP holds a near complete collection of Indian Land Survey and Settlement Reports, filmed at the British Library’s India Office Library. This collection reflects an important source of material for the study of Indian rural society, particularly economic and social changes during the period of British rule in India.

The Land Survey and Settlement Reports were compiled by the provincial administrations primarily as a fiscal and cadastral record to identify the lands and persons under obligation to the government. The first part of each land settlement report generally describes the physical features and population of each district and provides a sketch of its revenue history. The second part contains the account of the latest survey and settlement operations and analysis of the statistics compiled from the records prepared. These survey and settlement reports contain information on a variety of other subjects, including boundaries and administrative divisions existing at the time, their physical features, quality of soils, condition of communications, markets, population growth, and information about caste and social groups. They also include comparisons of the past and present conditions of the areas.