English: Sindh Archives operates as a directorate within the Culture, Tourism, Antiquities & Archives Department of the Government of Sindh, Pakistan. Within its confines, it safeguards and maintains a repository of exceptionally extensive and meticulously preserved governmental records, antiquarian books, and rare literary materials that span centuries. The primary objective is to breathe life into history and cater to the burgeoning appetite of contemporary and future researchers by ensuring the ready accessibility of this invaluable national information.

Our mandate encompasses the active collection of historical records, seeking to chronicle the collective experiences of our nation. Sindh Archives also endeavors to foster cooperation and coordination with other institutions engaged in the preservation of archival records. To offer comprehensive information to researchers, we procure copies of important collections that pertain to the history and culture of Sindh, consolidating these resources under a single roof. We have formulated long-term plans for the advancement of Sindh Archives, which include the initiation of three development projects to modernize our operations. Resources are allocated to enhance the visibility of our holdings and to make them more accessible to the public.

Sindh Archives offers a diverse range 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. Moreover, we maintain a research library that houses over 40,000 books, including rare volumes.

The cornerstone of our collection comprises the Commissioner’s records, which encompass government documents primarily dating from 1820 to 1936. Approximately 50% of these records are handwritten, with most of them 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. They encompass a staggering 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.