Manipur State Archives Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of Manipur

History and Founding

The Manipur State Archives (MSA) was formally established in March 1982, when records from the old Secretariat building in Imphal were transferred to a dedicated archival institution under the Directorate of Social Welfare, Art and Culture. Following departmental reorganisation, it now functions under the Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of Manipur. The origins of archival record-keeping in Manipur predate this formal establishment: a colonial record room was maintained in the Political Agency Office of the State Secretariat from 1893, following the establishment of a Political Agency after the first Anglo-Burmese War. The Political Agency's establishment in 1835 generated extensive administrative correspondence, and handwritten or typed documents were produced by clerks; from 1910 onwards, the state printing press enabled printed copies of official documents and reports.

Collections and Holdings

The MSA preserves and conserves a wide range of materials, including government public records, private records, manuscripts, and rare books. Its holdings are particularly rich from 1891 onwards, covering the period when colonial administration was formalised. Key record series include administrative reports, diaries of political agents, proceedings of the Manipur State Durbar, state gazettes, land revenue records, judicial records, and documents relating to the Anglo-Burmese wars. The archives also holds indigenous manuscripts written on handmade paper, palm leaves, and agar-bark in archaic scripts including Meitei Mayek. As of 2023, over 1,700 public records have been digitised. The MSA's manuscript holdings include works on royal chronicles, religion, history, and culture in Manipuri archaic, Bengali, and other scripts.

Access and Usage

The Manipur State Archives is located near Keishampat junction in central Imphal, sharing a building with the State Central Library. Researchers can access the reading room on the first floor. The archives also maintains microfilm and digitisation facilities. Visitors are advised to avoid major local festivals such as Yaoshang, Ningol Chakouba, and Christmas when archival staff may be unavailable. The institution also maintains a website for online access to selected digital records.

Notable Holdings for Journalism and Media

The archives contain state gazettes and official publications that provide a record of media and communications history in Manipur. The proceedings and reports held in the MSA are primary sources for researchers studying the history of the northeastern region during the colonial and post-independence periods.