Daftar Records
“Daftar” means administrative unit, an office (Persian and Urdu Language).
As in the case of today’s systems of government, the administration of the
Nizams also rested on a network of Daftars in the early Asaf Jahi period had its
roots in the era of Mughal rule in the Deccan. After the death of Aurangzeb in
1707 Mughal Empire declined. Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah became the Viceroy of the
Deccan for the third and last time in 1724 A.D., and held the post till his death in
1748. During this period, the supremacy of the centre was at its lowest ebb, and
provincial administrations had begun to detach themselves from what was left of
the centralised administrations had though central influence over the provinces
was paling rapidly, the Mughal administrative systems based on the
infrastructure of the Daftars continued in the Deccan. There were fourteen
Daftars during the early Asaf Jahi period. The records of Daftars consist of
administrative and executive orders, correspondence, files, compilations of
official information, sanads (certificates), Muntakhabs and Farmans of Nizam VI
and VII etc. The records of old Daftars are mostly in Persian, some are in Urdu.
These were in the custody of certain Jagirdar i.e., Rai Rayan families on
hereditary basis in Hyderabad. These families received solid grants of Jagir (the
government revenues of a tract of land assigned with powers to administer),
cash for the maintenance of records. The posts of Jagirdars were designated as
Daftardars and were hereditary.
Ex - Hyderabad Secretariat Records
The early Asaf Jahi Period was marked by an indigenous feudal system of
administration handled on a hereditary basis by families and nobles (Rai Rayan) .
This system had many defects and it had become outdated or fuddy duddy and
traditional. A change in the old system of administration was felt to be the need
of the hour in the middle of the nineteenth century. The Administration of the
state in every field and every walk of life. Salarjung I established new
departments on the lines of the British Indian Administration. The establishment
of the 14 Secretariat Departments. These records persianing to new
Departments are categorized as Ex Hyderabad send the Secretariat Records.
However, the old daftars continued to function in parallel with the newly created
departments for some time. This is the reason that we find the daftars records
and Secretariat records simultaneously for a short period in the administration of
the former Hyderabad State. The official language of Hyderabad was changed
finally from Persian to Urdu during the last quarter of the 19th Century (1887).
The records up to 1887 are in Persian and the records from 1887 to 1948 are in
Urdu, some correspondence are in English. The following 14 Secretariat
departments are mentioned below.
Manuscripts (Book form)
In addition to the vast collection of records, the Department preserves a valuable collection
of
672 manuscripts, offering significant insights into the social, cultural, political, and
economic life
of this region, particularly during the medieval and modern periods. These manuscripts are
written in various languages, including Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Deccani, Marathi, and
English, and
are housed in the Archival Library.
The Persian manuscripts comprise the largest collection, with 574 manuscripts, followed by
Urdu (58), Deccani (9), Arabic (27), English (2), Turki (1), Marathi (1), and Kanada (1).
The 574 Persian manuscripts can be categorized by subject into:
- History
- Memoirs
- Biographies
- Literature
- Linguistics
- Composition
- Letters
- Manual of accounts (siyaq)
- Revenue
- Administration
- Geography
- Travelogues
Notably, some manuscripts are rare and date back to the Adil Shahi, Qutb Shahi, and Mughal
periods. Many manuscripts relate to the history of the Asaf Jahi Period (1724-1948).
Some rare and unique Persian manuscripts preserved in the Telangana State Archives Library,
frequently consulted by research scholars and academicians, include:
- Hadiqat-us-Salateen
- Fath-ul-Mujahideen
- Kitab-i-Nauras
- Hukm Nama-i-Tipu Sultan
- Dah-ba-Dah
- Shah Jahan Nama
- Sawanih-i-Deccan
- Maasir-i-Nizam
- Tarih-i-Sultan Muhammad Qutb Shah
The catalogue of the Manuscripts will be uploaded soon.
Mughal Records
A good number of Mughal documents are preserved in The
Telangana State Archives. These papers are the official records of the
Regional Head Quarters of the Mughal Empire at Aurangabad. In the year
1916 Maulavi Muhibbuddin, Accountant General of Hyderabad in one of
his tours of inspection, discovered the records which were lying in the ‘Ark
fort at Aurangabad. He reported to Sri Syed Khurshid Ali who was the
then superintendent of Daftar-i-Diwani. Immediately, steps were taken by
the government for shifting them to Hyderabad and thus they were
shifted to Daftar-i-Diwani in Hyderabad in 1916. (Which eventually
emerged as the Telangana State Archives and Research Institute
Hyderabad) Entire Records relating to the reigns of Shah Jahan (1628 –
1658 A.D.) and Aurangzeb (1658 – 1707 A.D.). The Mughal documents
persianing to the period of Shah Jahan, in numbered about 5000, whereas
the documents of Aurangzeb reign more than 1,50,000. These documents
show a graphic picture on various aspects of the Mughal mansabdari and
Jagirdari system and administrative organization, military, revenue, social
and diplomatic affairs of the Mughal Deccan etc.
Among the various categories of records preserved in the Archives, the
category of Mughal paper Manuscripts is the oldest one. The number of
Manuscript paper in the category of Mughal is much larger and they have
a link with one another and they are in chronological order. Thus these
documents from a series of records. These paper are written in Persian in
shikasta script they used the inedible Ink.
The paper used for these documents is handmade and is of a strong
fabric. That is the reason why the records are generally in a good state of
preservation withstanding the ravages of time the experts are of the
opinion that the records being created now in the country under different
agencies may perish after a period of 100 years whereas these Mughal
records have a much longer life.
Persian was the official language of the Mughal Empire and all the papers
are in ornamental Persian mainly in the shikasta script. ( Broken Style of
writing.)
Some Of The Important Types Of Documents Contained In This
Category Are Listed Below:
| S.No |
Nature of the Document |
Brief definition |
| 1 |
Arz-o-Chihra |
Descriptive roll |
| 2 |
Barawurd |
A pay bill |
| 3 |
Dastak |
Orders issued to treasurer:
Mutasaddi or any other official. |
| 4 |
Dastak-i-Dagh-o-
Tashiha |
Orders for branding and
verification |
| 5 |
Dastak-i-Rahdari |
Passport |
| 6 |
Farman |
Mughal Emperors Order Royal
order |
| 7 |
Fihrist-i-Mulaziman |
List of the Imperial servants |
| 8 |
Fautinama |
Death certificate of a person |
| 9 |
Yaddasht-Hal-Hasil-
Jagir |
Memorandum of revenue received
from the Jagir |
| 10 |
Muchalka |
Surety Bond |
| 11 |
Niwishta |
A writing; a written note, a letter |
| 12 |
Parwana |
Royal Orders |
| 13 |
Saqtinama |
Death Certificate of a horse |
| 14 |
Siyaha-i-Huzur |
Proceeding of Provincial Court |
| 15 |
Roznamcha-i-Waqai |
Report daily accurences. |
| 16 |
Yaddasht-Khkam-i
Muquddas |
Memorandum contain Imperial
Orders |
Nizam Gazettes
This Department has a large number of collections of Gazettes volumes that were published by
former Government of Hyderabad, The first Gazette was published during the period of Mir
Mahboob
Ali Khan on 26th Rajab 1286 H./ 1st November 1869 A.D. Gazettes consist of relating
Companies,
Government orders, Notifications persianing to the appointment of officials, promotions,
leaves,
dismissals and retirements, pensions, orders . Some Gazettes had Farmans of Nizam VI & VII.
All
the Gazette are in Persian and Urdu language till 1950. Gazettes from 1956 are in English.
The Detailed Information Of Gazettes Of Nizam’s Government Are Given Below:
S.No
|
Nature of the Document
|
Periodicity
|
Approx. Doc. Count
|
| 1 |
Jarida-i-Ilamiya Ahkam-i-Sarkar-i-Nizam-ul-Mulk (Gazettes) and Jarida-i-Ghair
Mamuli
|
1279-1290 F/ 1869-1880(Persian). |
|
| 2 |
-do- |
1291-1360 F/ 1883-1950(Urdu). |
|
| 3 |
The Hyderabad Government Gazette Mamuli (Extra Ordinary Gazette) |
1950-1956 A.D(English). |
|
Total
|
497 Volumes
|
AP & TG Gazette
Gazettes are the official publications of the Government. They contain Rules, Regulations,
Official Notifications, Statistical data on Metrological Information, Police, and Criminal
Intelligence.
The following Gazettes are available in this office:
| S.No |
Name of the Gazettes |
Periodicity |
| 1 |
The Andhra Pradesh Gazettes |
1956-2014 |
| 2 |
Telangana Gazettes |
2014-Till date |
| 3 |
Police Criminal Intelligence Gazette |
1975-Till date |
Farmans
Among the Asaf Jahi records, the Telangana State Archives preserves over 40,000
Farmans (Royal Orders). These Farmans are systematically organized on separate
papers, starting from the period of Mir Mahboob Ali Khan, who issued Farmans from
1884 after attaining the throne. Additionally, the archives contain Farmans of Nizam
VI and Nizam VII, spanning from 1901 to 1950, which are compiled into 355 chicket
books (volumes) in Persian and Urdu.
S.No
|
Nature of the Document
|
Periodicity
|
Approx. Doc. Count
|
| 1 |
Constitutional Affairs |
1936-1945 A.D. |
1 |
| 2 |
Finance Department |
1901-1947 A.D. |
75 |
| 3 |
Home Department |
1901-1947 A.D. |
95 |
| 4 |
Government Directorate Non Government, Peshi, Political, Commerce, Industries,
Agriculture, Grants, Excise, Mines, and Medical and Translation Bureau,
Directorate-i-Dar-ul-Qazaat, Hyderabad |
1906-1948 A.D. |
34 |
| 5 |
Revenue Department |
1901-1947 A.D. |
130 |
| 6 |
Neem Sarkari |
1901-1947 A.D. |
20 |
Muntakhabs
Muntakhabs is Certificate of Grant issued by the Commissioner of Inam. (Inam land cerficate)
Revenue Department. Muntakhabs covered the area of Aurangabad. Berar, Bijapur, Khandesh,
Hyderabad and Bidar Subas. During the period of Salar Jung I, the rules and regulations were
framed and investigation in regards to various types of grants, like Jagir, inam lands,
watan
Deshmukhi and rusum (fees)and to their validity and the legitimacy of the claims of the
grantees
started. All Muntakhabs grants comprise of Mansab, Yaumiya-i-Naqdi, Inam, Maash and
Madad-i-Mash
etc. The records were transferred to Daftar-i-Diwani in 1925.
Some Of The Important Types Of Documents Contained In This
Category Are Listed Below:
S.No
|
Nature of the Document
|
Periodicity
|
Approx. Doc. Count
|
| 1 |
Muntakhabs |
1864 - 1982 (Persian - Urdu) |
67,500 Volumes |
Siyahanamas - Nikahnama
The Marriage Certificates, particularly of Muslims, are preserved in this department. They
have
been acquired from the Qazis of the different areas and Districts of the Hyderabad State and
Secunderabad City, and from the Adilabad, Khammam, Kareem nagar, Mahboob nagar, Medak,
Nalgonda,
Nizamabad and Warangal districts. Siyahas comprise of the marriage certificates, deeds,
attestation under legal Council and Witnesses etc. The entire Siyahas are in Persian and
Urdu.
The Detailed Particulars Of The Siyahajat Nikahnama Preserved In Archives Are Shown
Below:
| S.No |
Nature of the Document |
Periodicity |
Approx. Doc. Count |
| 1 |
Siyahajat |
1780 to still now |
16,60,000 |
Family and Private Collections
The State Archives and Research Institute has a treasure trove of rare and valuable
documents,
including farmans and sanads of the Deccan Sultans, dating back to 1406-1687 AD. These
documents are extremely rare, with many lost to the passage of time or hidden away in
private
collections.
The institute holds a good number of significant collection of farmans, ahkams, sanads, and
other documents from the Bahmani, Adil Shahi, and Qutb Shahi rulers. The country's
oldest
document, from 1406 AD, is part of this collection.
In addition to these historical records, the institute also possesses family and private
collections, acquired through various sources, including voluntary gifts, purchases, and
deposits. These collections comprise documents, manuscripts, and rare and contemporary
books, with many containing Persian language sources.
Some notable collections include:
- Salarjung Collection
- Khwaja Banda Nawaz Collection
- Panchakki Collection
- Sajjad Ali Collection
- Hamid Siddiqui Collection
These collections provide valuable insights into the political, administrative, economic, and
social life of the Deccan region during the 15th century. Researchers and scholars can
benefit
greatly from consulting these records, which can shed new light on the history of the Deccan
and rectify existing narratives.
The Detailed Particulars Of The Family & Private Collections Are Shown Below:
| S.No |
Name of the Collections |
Place |
Periodicity |
Remarks |
| 1 |
Khawaja Banda Nawaz Collection |
Gulberga |
1412-1687 |
|
| 2 |
Hussain-All-Yafai Collection |
|
1534-1889 |
|
| 3 |
Chiyas Siddiqi Collection |
|
1562-1897 |
|
| 4 |
Sajjad Ali Collection |
|
1599-1900 |
|
| 5 |
Shabbir Khan Collection |
|
Shabbir Khan Collection |
|
| 6 |
Mir Hussain Ali Khan Collection |
|
1607-1781 |
|
| 7 |
Hamid Siddiqi Collection |
|
1646-1948 |
|
| 8 |
Mir Alauddin Collection |
|
1666-1940 |
|
| 9 |
Hakim Nizamuddin Collection |
|
1667-1678 |
|
| 10 |
Mir Alauddin Collection |
|
1673-1780 |
|
| 11 |
Syed Asadullah Collection |
|
1681-1901 |
|
| 12 |
Panchakki Collection |
|
1712-1824 |
|
| 13 |
Harish Chandra Agarwal Collection |
|
1722-1821 |
|
| 14 |
Md. Sharif Collection |
|
1759-1792 |
|
| 15 |
Hidayat Ali Khan Collection |
|
1765-1805 |
|
| 16 |
Moinuddin Ali Khan Collection |
|
1777-1896 |
|
| 17 |
Md. Hussain Ali Khan Collection |
|
1792-1793 |
|
| 18 |
Md. Moinuddin Collection |
|
1789-1800 |
|
| 19 |
Nooruddin Collection |
|
1792-1907 |
|
| 20 |
B. Rama Krishna Raju Collection |
|
1802-1882 |
|
| 21 |
Jafar Ali Khan Collection |
|
1875-1876 |
|
| 22 |
S. Obul Reddy Collection |
|
1945-1950 |
|
| 23 |
Salar Jung Collection |
|
1800-1960 |
|
| 24 |
Sri Pingali Venkata Rami Reddy, Kotwal of Nizam the VII |
Hyderabad |
1912-1956 & 1926 |
Urdu & English |
| 25 |
Prof. Modali Nagabhushana sarma Telugu Dramas (20 CD’s) |
Hyderabad |
1890-1955 |
Telugu |
Interim Repository
The Interim Repositories preserved the records coming from the period 1880-1956 and
renders
Archival
consultancy and reference services to all departments of secretariat. It was established
in
1963, with
separate cadre strength of one Assistant Director, one Archivist, two Assistant
Archivist,
six Junior
Assistants, four Menders and eight Record Assistants.
The Archives Interim Repository was intended to receive all the permanent semi-current
and
current records
of the Secretariat Departments from the Central Records Branch of the Secretariat and to
attend to the
requirements of the Secretariat Departments on requisition and to watch their return for
restoration.
The main series of records preserved here are G.O. Ms. Series of the Secretariat
Department
commencing from
the year 1960 onwards. Some categories of erstwhile Hyderabad Government Records are
also
available which
are mostly in Urdu and covers the period from 1886-1956. After completion of ten years
period the
semi-current records will become non-current and transferred to the main Archives at
Tarnaka
to join the
permanent record holdings. The Bonafide Research Scholars can consult these records
after
obtaining the
required permission from the Commissionarate.
The Detailed Information Of Interim Repository Of Telangana State Archives Are Given
Below:
I. Records of the Nizam’s Dominions & Records of the Hyderabad State
| S.No |
Name of the Department |
Periodicity |
No. of Records |
| 1 |
Home Department |
1279 H to 1358 F-1862-1956 |
1,40,000 (files) |
| 2 |
Health, Medical & Municipal Department |
1301 to 1358 F 1891 to 1956 |
3,525 (files) |
| 3 |
Revenue Department |
1282 H to 1358 F 1865 to 1956 |
2,15,090 (files) |
II. Board of Revenue Department Records
1. Subedar Records: i.e.,
|
| 1 |
Medak Warangal Records |
1294 to 1358 F 1884 to 1949 |
20,530 (files) 95,051 (Fly leaves) |
|
2.Paigah Records i.e.,
|
| 1 |
Asmanjahi Records (Prime Minister) |
1292 to 1358 F 1882 to 1949 |
16,271 (files) 7,050 Pay bills |
| 2 |
Kurshid Jahi Records (Noble) |
1292 to 1358 F 1882 to 1949 |
15,392 (files) |
3.Estate Records i.e.,
| S.No |
Name of the Department |
Periodicity |
No. of Records |
| 1 |
Fakhrul Mulk Bahadur Records |
1292 to 1358 F 1882 to 1949 |
9,697 (files) 16,688 (fly leaves) |
| 2 |
Kamal Yar Jung Records |
1292 to 1358 F 1882 to 1949 |
11,922 (files) |
| 3 |
Maha Raja Kishan Pershad Records (Prime Minister) |
1292 to 1358 F |
15,307 (files) |
| 4 |
Mahdi Yar Jung Records |
1292 to 1358 F 1882 to 1949 |
2,089 (files) |
| 5 |
Raja Shiv Raj Bahadur Records |
1292 to 1358 F 1882 to 1949 |
15,521 (files) |
| 6 |
Salar Jung Bahadur Records (Prime Minister) |
1292 to 1358 F 1882 to 1949 |
17,001 (files) |
| 7 |
Surf e Khass Mubarak Records |
1294 to 1358 F 1884 to 1949 |
626 (files) 13,852 fly leaves |
| 8 |
Gazettes volumes of Nizam’s Dominions & Ex- Hyderabad Government |
1287 to 1358 F 1877 to 1956 |
1,350 Volumes |
Unified State Government Records :
| S.No |
Name of the Department |
Periodicity |
No. of Records |
| 1 |
General Administration Department |
1960 – 1970 |
108 Bundles |
| 2 |
Revenue Department |
1960 - 1970 |
43,426 (files) (518 Bundles) |
| 3 |
Law Department |
1960 - 1962 |
45 (files) (one Bundle) |
| 4 |
Finance Department |
1960 - 1970 |
4,682 (files) (64 Bundles) |
| 5 |
Home Department |
1960 - 1970 |
19,931 (files)(232 Bundles) |
| 6 |
Home (Passport) |
1960 - 1968 |
18,219 (files) (118 Bundles) |
| 7 |
Panchayat Raj Department |
1960 - 1977 |
14,045 (files)(164 Bundles) |
| 8 |
Education Department |
1960 - 1980 |
41,250 (files)(465 Bundles) |
| 9 |
Public Works Department |
1960 - 1975 |
35,177 (files)(383 Bundles) |
| 10 |
Health Department |
1960 - 1975 |
43,983 (files)(386 Bundles) |
| 11 |
H.H. & M.A. Department |
1960 - 1970 |
16,209 (files)(162 Bundles) |
| 12 |
Food & Agriculture |
1960 - 1971 |
24,166 (files)(256 Bundles) |
| 13 |
Industries & Commerce |
1960 - 1972 |
18,243 (files)(193 Bundles) |
| 14 |
Transport Road & Building |
1975 - 1984 |
5,969 (files)(52 Bundles) |
| 15 |
Irrigation & C.A.D. |
1975 - 1986 |
629 (files)(14 Bundles) |
| 16 |
Public Works Department |
1961 - 1981 |
8,065 (files)(89 Bundles) |
Govt Orders
| S.No |
Department |
Year |
No. of Bundles |
| 1 |
General Administration Department |
1960-1970 |
108 Bundles |
| 2 |
Revenue Department |
1960-1970 |
43.426 (Files) (518 Bundles ) |
| 3 |
Law Department |
1960-1962 |
45 (Files) (One Bundle) |
| 4 |
Finance Department |
1960-1970 |
4,682 (Files) (64 Bundles) |
| 5 |
Home Department |
1960-1970 |
19,931 (Files)(232 Bundles) |
| 6 |
Home (Passport) |
1960-1968 |
18,219 (Files) (118 Bundles) |
| 7 |
Panchayat Raj Department |
1960-1977 |
14,045 (Files)(164 Bundles) |
| 8 |
Education Department |
1960-1980 |
41,250 (Files) (465 Bundles) |
| 9 |
Public Work Department |
1960-1975 |
35,177 (Files) (383 Bundles) |
| 10 |
Health Department |
1960-1975 |
43,983 (Files) (386 Bundles) |
| 11 |
H.H. & M.A. Department |
1960-1970 |
16,209 (Files) (162 Bundles) |
| 12 |
Food & Agriculture |
1960-1971 |
24,166 (Files) (256 Bundles) |
| 13 |
Industries & Commerce |
1960-1972 |
18,243 (Files) (193 Bundles) |
| 14 |
Transport Road & Building |
1976-1984 |
5,969 (Files) (52 Bundles) |
| 15 |
Irrigation & C.A.D. |
1975-1986 |
629 (Files) (14 Bundles) |
| 16 |
Public Work Department |
1961-1981 |
8,065 (Files) (89 Bundles) |
Electoral Rolls
The Telangana State Archives and Research Institute has one set of electoral rolls of each
of
the 119 Assembly & 18 Parliamentary Constituencies in the State of Telangana from the year
1975.
There are some Electoral Rolls for the earlier years of 1975 and 1980. The Panchayat
Electoral
Rolls are also preserved. The Electoral Roll contains Ward No. Block No. H. No. Polling
Station
No. Elector’s Name, Father’s / Husband’s Name, Male / Female and approximate age, Deletion
and
inclusion lists are also available for some Constituencies.
The Following Years Of Electoral Rolls Are Available In This Office:
1975, 1977, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2014, 2018, 2019 ( 2002 to 2019 roll received partly)
Digital preservation of E records
The archival records digitization program is a ongoing initiative aimed at preserving and
providing access to historical records, including Jagir records, Ex-Hyderabad Secretariat
records, and Government orders. So far approximately 80 lakh pages have been scanned The
project involves creating a comprehensive Data Management System, which will facilitate
searches and access to these records through a Digital Library. The indices of the records
will be made available on the website in the near future.
Another project is going on which has been undertaken by the Noor Microfilm International
Centre focusing on the digitization of old Persian records, accompanied by conservation and
cataloging efforts. So far 18 lakh pages have been scanned .The cataloged information of these
old Persian records will also be made available on this website shortly.
Records
a
Catalougs
Photo Gallery
Cartography Section (New)
A new Map unit is being established to acquire and conserve maps and cartographical material
of
historical importance. The section has segregated & enhanced good number of historical and
geographical maps, plans and topographical maps, etc., of the cities and towns in the
Erstwhile
Hyderabad State. A catalogue of the Map collection and cartographic records of the State
Archives is under preparation. This will be a valuable reference aid.
Documentation
A Documentation cell was organised in the year 1968 to acquire and house all kinds of
printed
material such as Administrative Reports of Madras Presidency, H.E.H. the Nizam Dominations.
Census Reports Gazetteers, Manuals, Legislative Assembly Proceedings Hyderabad State papers,
etc., of historical importance relating to time-periods from the oldest to up-to-date
periods.
The Cell had rendered significant service to research scholars to supplying the material
required for their research topics and also rendered reference service to Government
Departments
and Agencies in General.
Committee Wing
Private Archives acquired by purchase or by donation since 1966 are preserved in this wing.
These are mainly in the form of Individual Collections in different languages in the form of
letters, newspapers, books, correspondence and are very useful to bridge certain missing
gaps in
the History and to confirm the events with corroborative evidences.
Strong Almirah Documents
The documents whose life value is six year and upwards are preserved till they are called by
the
concerned authorities
Strong Almirah documents consist of assignment deeds between the Government and the
Co-operative
Society, sale deeds, share certificates original hose sites, insurance polices, etc.
