Valuable Archival Collection: Dr. Ram Krishna Rajput, a distinguished academician, journalist, author, and writer from Uttar Pradesh, has donated his priceless archival collection to the National Archives of India.
The collection includes ancient manuscripts in various languages, photographs, rare books, handwritten maps, and thousands of designs by local textile designers. The National Archives has decided to preserve this invaluable heritage under the name “Dr. Ram Krishna Rajput Collection.”
On December 17, 2024, during a ceremony held at the National Archives in New Delhi, Dr. Ram Krishna Rajput, accompanied by his family, officially signed an agreement to hand over his documentary collection to the Director General of the National Archives, Shri Arun Singhal. Dr. Rajput and his wife, former Uttar Pradesh MLA Smt. Urmila Rajput, were honored in a traditional manner by the National Archives.
Eighty-year-old Dr. Ram Krishna Rajput hails from Farrukhabad district in Uttar Pradesh and has served as a college principal. He holds postgraduate degrees in Hindi, Political Science, and Economics, as well as a D.Litt. He has authored over 60 books on topics such as history, archaeology, tourism, literature, journalism, Dalit literature, and personality development.
His writings have been featured in numerous magazines, including Pragya Sahitya, Gyan Ganga, Farrukhabad: Hamari Virasat, Shaheed Smriti, Pratibha, Dalit Asmita, Devpath, and Lodhi Darpan. Dr. Rajput has also received numerous accolades, including the Uttar Pradesh Government’s Sahitya Bhushan award and honors from the Hindustani Academy and Indian Dalit Literature Academy.
On this occasion, Dr. Rajput shared the circumstances that led him to collect ancient artifacts over the past 50 years. His collection includes not only documentary materials but also terracotta artifacts, stone and metal sculptures, coins, artworks, seals, weapons, and many other items. Several prominent individuals from Farrukhabad district also attended the ceremony.
The National Archives will ensure the archival preservation and digitization of this collection. It will soon make the materials available to researchers and the general public for viewing on its online portal, Abhilekh Patal (https://www.abhilekh-patal.in/jspui/)
