Digitization project in Oman will store historical documents of Indian diaspora
New Delhi. The first digitization project to archive historical documents of Indian diaspora started in Muscat, the capital of Oman. The Indian Embassy in Muscat, in collaboration with the National Archives of India (NAI), has launched this unprecedented project to preserve the rich heritage of Indian diaspora in Oman.
This digitization and oral history initiative program titled 'Oman Collection - Archival Heritage of the Indian Community in Oman' ran from May 19-27, 2024. It was attended by 32 prominent Indian families, mainly from Gujarat, and showcased their 250-year presence in Oman.
This project is NAI's first overseas venture to digitize diaspora documents, a historic step towards preserving the heritage of the community abroad. About 7 lakh Indians live in Oman, many of whom have deeply integrated into Omani society while maintaining strong ties with India. This initiative underlines the long-standing historical and cultural ties between India and Oman.
Over 7,000 documents in English, Arabic, Gujarati and Hindi have been digitised from the private collections of old Indian merchant families. These documents, dating back to 1838, include personal diaries, ledgers, telegrams, trade invoices, passports, letters and photographs. They provide a fascinating insight into the lives and contributions of the Indian community in Oman and also shed light on their cultural practices, social activities and trade.
The digitised documents will be archived on NAI’s digital portal ‘Abhilekh Patal’, making them accessible to researchers and the general public. The families whose collections have been digitised include the Ratansi Purushottam, Khimji Ramdas and Haridas Nancy families. The project also records oral histories of old community members, including personal anecdotes, experiences of migration and the evolution of the Indian community in Oman.
NAI Director General Arun Singhal emphasised the historic significance of the project in preserving the heritage of the overseas Indian community. Indian Ambassador to Muscat Amit Narang highlighted that this is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to strengthen ties with the Indian diaspora. Sheikh Anil Khimji, head of the Indian community in Oman, expressed gratitude for the effort. Supported by Oman's National Records and Archives Authority, the project not only preserves historical records but also promotes deeper engagement with the Indian diaspora.
(Report. Shashwat Tiwari)
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