Daftar Records
“Daftar” means administrative unit, an office (Persian and Urdu Language).
As in the case of today’s systems of government, the administration of the
Nizams also rested on a network of Daftars in the early Asaf Jahi period had its
roots in the era of Mughal rule in the Deccan. After the death of Aurangzeb in
1707 Mughal Empire declined. Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah became the Viceroy of the
Deccan for the third and last time in 1724 A.D., and held the post till his death in
1748. During this period, the supremacy of the centre was at its lowest ebb, and
provincial administrations had begun to detach themselves from what was left of
the centralised administrations had though central influence over the provinces
was paling rapidly, the Mughal administrative systems based on the
infrastructure of the Daftars continued in the Deccan. There were fourteen
Daftars during the early Asaf Jahi period. The records of Daftars consist of
administrative and executive orders, correspondence, files, compilations of
official information, sanads (certificates), Muntakhab and Farmans of Nizam VI
and VII etc. The records of old Daftars are mostly in Persian, some are in Urdu.
These were in the custody of certain Jagirdar i.e., Rai Rayan families on
hereditary basis in Hyderabad. These families received solid grants of Jagir (the
government revenues of a tract of land assigned with powers to administer),
cash for the maintenance of records. The posts of Jagirdars were designated as
Daftardars and were hereditary.
Ex - Hyderabad Secretariat Records
The early Asaf Jahi Period was marked by an indigenous feudal system of
administration handled on a hereditary basis by families and nobles (Rai Rayan) .
This system had many defects and it had become outdated or fuddy duddy and
traditional. A change in the old system of administration was felt to be the need
of the hour in the middle of the nineteenth century. The Administration of the
state in every field and every walk of life. Salarjung I established new
departments on the lines of the British Indian Administration. The establishment
of the 14 Secretariat Departments. These records pertaining to new
Departments are categorized as Ex Hyderabad send the Secretariat Records.
However, the old daftars continued to function in parallel with the newly created
departments for some time. This is the reason that we find the daftars records
and Secretariat records simultaneously for a short period in the administration of
the former Hyderabad State. The official language of Hyderabad was changed
finally from Persian to Urdu during the last quarter of the 19th Century (1887).
The records up to 1887 are in Persian and the records from 1887 to 1948 are in
Urdu, some correspondence are in English. The following 14 Secretariat
departments are mentioned below.
Records After 1956
| S.No |
Department |
Year |
No. of Bundles |
| 1 |
General Administration Department |
1960-1970 |
108 Bundles |
| 2 |
Revenue Department |
1960-1970 |
43.426 (Files) (518 Bundles ) |
| 3 |
Law Department |
1960-1962 |
45 (Files) (One Bundle) |
| 4 |
Finance Department |
1960-1970 |
4,682 (Files) (64 Bundles) |
| 5 |
Home Department |
1960-1970 |
19,931 (Files)(232 Bundles) |
| 6 |
Home (Passport) |
1960-1968 |
18,219 (Files) (118 Bundles) |
| 7 |
Panchayat Raj Department |
1960-1977 |
14,045 (Files)(164 Bundles) |
| 8 |
Education Department |
1960-1980 |
41,250 (Files) (465 Bundles) |
| 9 |
Public Work Department |
1960-1975 |
35,177 (Files) (383 Bundles) |
| 10 |
Health Department |
1960-1975 |
43,983 (Files) (386 Bundles) |
| 11 |
H.H. & M.A. Department |
1960-1970 |
16,209 (Files) (162 Bundles) |
| 12 |
Food & Agriculture |
1960-1971 |
24,166 (Files) (256 Bundles) |
| 13 |
Industries & Commerce |
1960-1972 |
18,243 (Files) (193 Bundles) |
| 14 |
Transport Road & Building |
1976-1984 |
5,969 (Files) (52 Bundles) |
| 15 |
Irrigation & C.A.D. |
1975-1986 |
629 (Files) (14 Bundles) |
| 16 |
Public Work Department |
1961-1981 |
8,065 (Files) (89 Bundles) |
Gazette
Gazettes are the official publications of the Government. They contain Rules, Regulations, Official Notifications, Statistical data on Metrological Information, Police, and Criminal Intelligence.
The following Gazettes are available in this office:
| S.No |
Name of the Gazettes |
Periodicity |
| 1 |
The Andhra Pradesh Gazettes |
1956-Till date |
| 2 |
Police Criminal Intelligence Gazette |
1975-Till date |
Electoral Rolls
The Telangana State Archives and Research Institute has one set of electoral rolls of each of the 119 Assembly & 18 Parliamentary Constituencies in the State of Telangana from the year 1975.
There are some Electoral Rolls for the earlier years of 1975 and 1980. The Panchayat Electoral Rolls are also preserved. The Electoral Roll contains Ward No. Block No. H. No. Polling Station No. Elector’s Name, Father’s / Husband’s Name, Male / Female and approximate age, Deletion and inclusion lists are also available for some Constituencies.
The following years of electoral rolls are available in this office:
1975, 1977, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2002 (partly received)
Strong Almirah Documents
The documents whose life value is six year and upwards are preserved till they are called by the concerned authorities
Strong Almirah documents consist of assignment deeds between the Government and the Co-operative Society, sale deeds, share certificates original hose sites, insurance polices, etc.
Mughal Records
A good number of Mughal documents are preserved in The
Telangana State Archives. These papers are the official records of the
Regional Head Quarters of the Mughal Empire at Aurangabad. In the year
1916 Maulavi Muhibbuddin, Accountant General of Hyderabad in one of
his tours of inspection, discovered the records which were lying in the ‘Ark
fort at Aurangabad. He reported to Sri Syed Khurshid Ali who was the
then superintendent of Daftar-i-Diwani. Immediately, steps were taken by
the government for shifting them to Hyderabad and thus they were
shifted to Daftar-i-Diwani in Hyderabad in 1916. (Which eventually
emerged as the Telangana State Archives and Research Institute
Hyderabad) Entire Records relating to the reigns of Shah Jahan (1628 –
1658 A.D.) and Aurangzeb (1658 – 1707 A.D.). The Mughal documents
pertaining to the period of Shah Jahan, in numbered about 5000, whereas
the documents of Aurangzeb reign more than 1,50,000. These documents
show a graphic picture on various aspects of the Mughal mansabdari and
Jagirdari system and administrative organization, military, revenue, social
and diplomatic affairs of the Mughal Deccan etc.
Among the various categories of records preserved in the Archives, the
category of Mughal paper Manuscripts is the oldest one. The number of
Manuscript paper in the category of Mughal is much larger and they have
a link with one another and they are in chronological order. Thus these
documents from a series of records. These paper are written in Persian in
shikasta script they used the inedible Ink.
The paper used for these documents is handmade and is of a strong
fabric. That is the reason why the records are generally in a good state of
preservation withstanding the ravages of time the experts are of the
opinion that the records being created now in the country under different
agencies may perish after a period of 100 years whereas these Mughal
records have a much longer life.
Persian was the official language of the Mughal Empire and all the papers
are in ornamental Persian mainly in the shikasta script. ( Broken Style of
writing.)
Some of the important types of documents contained in this
category are listed below:
| S.No |
Nature of the Document |
Brief definition |
| 1 |
Arz-o-Chihra |
Descriptive roll |
| 2 |
Barawurd |
A pay bill |
| 3 |
Dastak |
Orders issued to treasurer:
Mutasaddi or any other official. |
| 4 |
Dastak-i-Dagh-o-
Tashiha |
Orders for branding and
verification |
| 5 |
Dastak-i-Rahdari |
Passport |
| 6 |
Farman |
Mughal Emperors Order Royal
order |
| 7 |
Fihrist-i-Mulaziman |
List of the Imperial servants |
| 8 |
Fautinama |
Death certificate of a person |
| 9 |
Yaddasht-Hal-Hasil-
Jagir |
Memorandum of revenue received
from the Jagir |
| 10 |
Muchalka |
Surety Bond |
| 11 |
Niwishta |
A writing; a written note, a letter |
| 12 |
Parwana |
Royal Orders |
| 13 |
Saqtinama |
Death Certificate of a horse |
| 14 |
Siyaha-i-Huzur |
Proceeding of Provincial Court |
| 15 |
Roznamcha-i-Waqai |
Report daily accurences. |
| 16 |
Yaddasht-Khkam-i
Muquddas |
Memorandum contain Imperial
Orders |
Gazettes
This Department has a large number of collections of Gazettes volumes that were published by former Government of Hyderabad, The first Gazette was published during the period of Mir Mahboob Ali Khan on 26th Rajab 1286 H./ 1st November 1869 A.D. Gazettes consist of relating Companies, Government orders, Notifications pertaining to the appointment of officials, promotions, leaves, dismissals and retirements, pensions, orders . Some Gazettes had Farmans of Nizam VI & VII. All the Gazette are in Persian and Urdu language till 1950. Gazettes from 1956 are in English.
The detailed information of Gazettes of Nizam’s Government are given below:
S.No |
Nature of the Document |
Periodicity |
No. of Documents approximately |
| 1 |
Jarida-i-Ilamiya Ahkam-i-Sarkar-i-Nizam-ul-Mulk (Gazettes) and Jarida-i-Ghair Mamuli |
1279-1290 F/ 1869-1880(Pertain). |
|
| 2 |
-do- |
1291-1360 F/ 1883-1950(Urdu). |
|
| 3 |
The Hyderabad Government Gazette Mamuli (Extra Ordinary Gazette) |
1950-1956 A.D(English). |
|
Total
|
497 Volumes
|
Farmans
Among the Asaf Jahi records newly more than 40 thousands of Farman (Royal Orders) are preserved in Telangana State Archives we find Farmans on separate papers on a systematic manner from the period of Mir Mahboob Ali Khan issued the Farman from 1884 when he Sat on the throne after attained the age of majority. Apart from these the Farmans of Nizam The VI and Nizam The VII, from 1901 to 1950 there are consist of 355 chicket books (Volumes) of Farmans are in Persian and Urdu.
S.No |
Nature of the Document |
Periodicity |
No. of Documents approximately |
| 1 |
Constitutional Affairs |
1936-1945 A.D. |
1 |
| 2 |
Finance Department |
1901-1947 A.D. |
75 |
| 3 |
Home Department |
1901-1947 A.D. |
95 |
| 4 |
Government Directorate Non Government, Peshi, Political, Commerce, Industries, Agriculture, Grants, Excise, Mines, and Medical and Translation Bureau, Directorate-i-Dar-ul-Qazaat, Hyderabad |
1906-1948 A.D. |
34 |
| 5 |
Revenue Department |
1901-1947 A.D. |
130 |
Muntakhab
Muntakhab is Certificate of Grant issued by the Commissioner of Inam. (Inam land cerficate) Revenue Department. Muntakhab covered the area of Aurangabad. Berar, Bijapur, Khandesh, Hyderabad and Bidar Subas. During the period of Salar Jung I, the rules and regulations were framed and investigation in regards to various types of grants, like Jagir, inam lands, watan Deshmukhi and rusum (fees)and to their validity and the legitimacy of the claims of the grantees started. All Muntakhabs grants comprise of Mansab, Yaumiya-i-Naqdi, Inam, Maash and Madad-i-Mash etc. The records were transferred to Daftar-i-Diwani in 1925.
Some of the important types of documents contained in this
category are listed below:
S.No |
Nature of the Document |
Periodicity |
No. of Documents approximately |
| 1 |
Muntakhab |
1864 - 1982 |
67,500 Volumes |
Siyahanamas - Nikahnama
The Marriage Certificates, particularly of Muslims, are preserved in this department. They have been acquired from the Qazis of the different areas and Districts of the Hyderabad State and Secunderabad City, and from the Adilabad, Khammam, Kareem nagar, Mahboob nagar, Medak, Nalgonda, Nizamabad and Warangal districts. Siyahas comprise of the marriage certificates, deeds, attestation under legal Council and Witnesses etc. The entire Siyahas are in Persian and Urdu.
Siyaha nama dated 17th Zilhijja 1194 H / 14th December 1780 A.D. The marriage of the Jumdat unnisa Begum, daughter of Asaf Jah – I.
The detailed particulars of the Siyahajat Nikahnama preserved in Archives are shown below:
| S.No |
Nature of the Document |
Periodicity |
No. of Documents Approximately |
| 1 |
Siyahajat |
1780 to still now |
16,60,000 |
Family and Private Collections
The detailed particulars of the Family and Private Collections are shown below:
| S.No |
Name of the Collections |
Place |
Periodicity |
Remarks |
| 1 |
Khawaja Banda Nawaz Collection |
Gulberga |
1412-1687 |
|
| 2 |
Hussain-All-Yafai Collection |
|
1534-1889 |
|
| 3 |
Chiyas Siddiqi Collection |
|
1562-1897 |
|
| 4 |
Sajjad Ali Collection |
|
1599-1900 |
|
| 5 |
Shabbir Khan Collection |
|
Shabbir Khan Collection |
|
| 6 |
Mir Hussain Ali Khan Collection |
|
1607-1781 |
|
| 7 |
Hamid Siddiqi Collection |
|
1646-1948 |
|
| 8 |
Mir Alauddin Collection |
|
1666-1940 |
|
| 9 |
Hakim Nizamuddin Collection |
|
1667-1678 |
|
| 10 |
Mir Alauddin Collection |
|
1673-1780 |
|
| 11 |
Syed Asadullah Collection |
|
1681-1901 |
|
| 12 |
Panchakki Collection |
|
1712-1824 |
|
| 13 |
Harish Chandra Agarwal Collection |
|
1722-1821 |
|
| 14 |
Md. Sharif Collection |
|
1759-1792 |
|
| 15 |
Hidayat Ali Khan Collection |
|
1765-1805 |
|
| 16 |
Moinuddin Ali Khan Collection |
|
1777-1896 |
|
| 17 |
Md. Hussain Ali Khan Collection |
|
1792-1793 |
|
| 18 |
Md. Moinuddin Collection |
|
1789-1800 |
|
| 19 |
Nooruddin Collection |
|
1792-1907 |
|
| 20 |
B. Rama Krishna Raju Collection |
|
1802-1882 |
|
| 21 |
Jafar Ali Khan Collection |
|
1875-1876 |
|
| 22 |
S. Obul Reddy Collection |
|
1945-1950 |
|
| 23 |
Salar Jung Collection |
|
1800-1960 |
|
| 24 |
Sri Pingali Venkata Rami Reddy, Kotwal of Nizam the VII |
Hyderabad |
1912-1956 & 1926 |
Urdu & English |
| 25 |
Prof. Modali Nagabhushana sarma Telugu Dramas (20 CD’s) |
Hyderabad |
1890-1955 |
Telugu |
Electoral Rolls
The Telangana State Archives and Research Institute has one set of electoral rolls of each of the 119 Assembly & 18 Parliamentary Constituencies in the State of Telangana from the year 1975.
There are some Electoral Rolls for the earlier years of 1975 and 1980. The Panchayat Electoral Rolls are also preserved. The Electoral Roll contains Ward No. Block No. H. No. Polling Station No. Elector’s Name, Father’s / Husband’s Name, Male / Female and approximate age, Deletion and inclusion lists are also available for some Constituencies.
The following years of electoral rolls are available in this office:
1975, 1977, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2002 (partly received)
Cartography Section (New)
A new Map unit is being established to acquire and conserve maps and cartographical material of historical importance. The section has segregated & enhanced good number of historical and geographical maps, plans and topographical maps, etc., of the cities and towns in the Erstwhile Hyderabad State. A catalogue of the Map collection and cartographic records of the State Archives is under preparation. This will be a valuable reference aid.
Documentation
A Documentation cell was organised in the year 1968 to acquire and house all kinds of printed material such as Administrative Reports of Madras Presidency, H.E.H. the Nizam Dominations. Census Reports Gazetteers, Manuals, Legislative Assembly Proceedings Hyderabad State papers, etc., of historical importance relating to time-periods from the oldest to up-to-date periods. The Cell had rendered significant service to research scholars to supplying the material required for their research topics and also rendered reference service to Government Departments and Agencies in General.
Reprography Wing
The Reprography wing is equipped with microfilm cameras, printer, microfilm readers, photocopy machines, etc., to attend to the needs of the scholars and public who are in need of copies of documents and certified copies.
Microfilms:
Some important series were microfilmed for use by the scholars, Krishan Partika 1902-1942. Sadhana Partika 1926-1950, Andhra Partika 1914-1930, Zamin Ryot 1930-1986. Mackenzie & Brown, collections of Kaifiyats 1800-1823 are available in the form microfilms.
Committees Wing
Private Archives acquired by purchase or by donation since 1966 are preserved in this wing. These are mainly in the form of Individual Collections in different languages in the form of letters, newspapers, books, correspondence and are very useful to bridge certain missing gaps in the History and to confirm the events with corroborative evidences.
Film Archives
This wing is equipped with 70mm film projector in an auditorium with rare Telugu film like Tythu BIdda Gruhapravesham, besides a number of documentaries, 78 rpm old gramophone records and film literature.
