National Archives of Afghanistan: Preserving Kabul's Documentary Heritage

Overview

The National Archives of Afghanistan (Archif-e Milli) is the principal state archival institution of Afghanistan, located in Kabul. It serves as the country's official repository for historical manuscripts, royal decrees, governmental records, photographs, and other primary sources documenting Afghan history from the late seventeenth century onward.

History and Founding

The building housing the National Archives was originally constructed in 1890 as a palace during the reign of King Amir Abdur Rahman Khan. Before becoming an archive, the structure served variously as a military academy, an Italian embassy, and a police garrison. Specialist archival functions were separated from the Kabul Public Library in 1973, when the National Archives was formally established as a dedicated institution responsible for the collection and preservation of historic documents and manuscripts. Decades of conflict — including the Soviet occupation (1979–1989), subsequent civil war, and the Taliban period (1996–2001) — severely damaged the institution; the building was attacked multiple times and many materials were looted or dispersed. Despite these losses, significant collections survived and restoration efforts have been ongoing since 2001.

Collections and Holdings

The National Archives holds an estimated 130,000–190,000 items, including rare manuscripts, historical documents, newspapers, photographs, journals, postage stamps, royal decrees, family trees, and audio and video cassettes. The manuscript section contains approximately 7,700–9,000 manuscripts, with holdings including a 14th-century letter written by Timur (Tamerlane) and Qurans dating from the Durrani period. Around 9,000 historical items are on public display, including 70 historical Qurans. Antique furniture once used by Emir Abdur Rahman Khan is also preserved on site.

Journalism and Media Relevance

The Archives holds newspapers and periodicals among its collections, including materials from the late 19th and early 20th centuries documenting Afghanistan's press history. Researchers studying Afghan journalism history will find relevant printed materials alongside photographic and documentary records.

Access and Usage

The National Archives welcomes scholars and researchers working in the fields of literature, history, politics, economics, and socio-cultural studies of Afghanistan. Access is available on-site in Kabul; international researchers are encouraged to contact the archive in advance. Preservation, computerisation, and digitisation projects have been ongoing, though financial limitations constrain the pace of progress.