The Telangana State Archives and Research Institute, Hyderabad entered into an MoU with Noor International Microfilm Centre, Culture House of the Islamic Republic of Iran, New Delhi for the repair, conservation, digitalization and cataloguing of Urdu and Persian historical manuscripts and documents which is a common heritage between India and Iran. The MoU exchange ceremony took place on 7th September at T-Hub Phase 2.0, in the presence of Sri K.T. Rama Rao, Hon’ble Minister for ITE&C, Industries and MA&UD, H.E. Dr. Ali Chegeni, Hon’ble Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran. It was also attended by Sri Jayesh Ranjan IAS, Principal Secretary of ITE&C and Industries, Dr. Zareena Parveen, Director of State Archives and Research Institute, Dr. Mehdi Khajeh Piri, Director, Noor International Microfilm Centre (NIMC), and Mr. Ali Niroomand, Regional Director for South Indian States, NIMC.
One of the leading archives of India, the Telangana State Archives and Research Institute has a collection of rare and historical records dating back to 1406 A.D. pertaining to the Bahmani, Qutb Shahi, Adil Shahi and Mughal dynasties that ruled over the region. The
Institute houses more than 43 million documents, of which eighty percent of the records are in the classical Persian and Urdu languages owing to it being the official languages of the erstwhile dynasties of the Hyderabad Deccan region. The records also include the original copies of GOs, gazettes etc of unified Andhra Pradesh from 1956 to 2014.
India and Iran have enjoyed a shared history which has influenced both cultures and civilisations. The documents housed in the Telangana State Archives are important historical artifacts of both countries. Hence, it is important to preserve this valuable joint heritage.
This initiative, carried out by the Noor International Microfilm Centre which is housed in the Culture House of the Embassy of Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi, will bring millions of historical documents to life, and give future generations a glimpse of the state’s rich heritage. It will also be a valuable asset for scholars from other countries who regularly collaborate with Telangana State Archives for their research on medieval and modern history of India and Telangana. The entire process will be done at no cost to the State and will be entirely borne by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
