To boost cooperation between Oman and India in historical archives, a delegation of the National Archives of India (NAI), New Delhi visited the National Records and Archives Authority (NRAA) of Oman last week.
The delegation led by Arun Singal, Director-General of Archives presented important documents to Dr Hamad Mohammed al Dhawyani, Chairman of NRAA.
In discussions with Dr Al Dhawyani, Arun Singhal dwelt upon the historical ties between India and Oman and informed the Chairman about the existence of a large number of records pertaining to Oman in the NAI as well as in other repositories.
As a gesture of goodwill, Singhal handed over a list of 70 select documents pertaining to Oman that are available in the NAI. These documents cover a period from 1793 to 1953 and deal with a wide range of subjects. Along with the list, 523 pages of copies of records were also handed over to the Chairman, NRAA, which covered several important subjects.
Some of these important documents are change of Omani flag from red to white (1868); succession of Sayyid Faisal bin Turki as ruler of Oman after the death of Sultan Sayyid Turki (1888); official visit of the Sultan of Muscat and Oman to the Viceroy in India (1937); and Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between India and Muscat and Oman signed on 15 March, 1953 at Muscat in English, Hindi and Arabic.
In addition, facsimile prints of three important treaties between the two countries were also gifted to the NRAA. These were treaty between the British India Government and the Sultan of Muscat (in Arabic and English), dated 5 April 1865; and Two Treaties concluded with the Imam of Muscat: one by Mehdi Ali Khan, dated 12 October 1798 and another by Sir John Malcolm, in his capacity as Envoy of the Governor-General of India to the Court of Persia, dated 18 January 1800.
These officials underscored the need for formalising institutional cooperation between both the countries. After the discussions, the draft of an Executive Programme of Cooperation (EPC) was finalised, which would now be submitted for approval and formally signed in the near future. Some activities agreed upon and included in the proposed EPC consists of organizing a joint exhibition based on curated archival materials from both archives, together with a conference highlighting the historical relations between India and Oman; exchanging digital copies of documents that hold mutual interest to enrich both collections; facilitating a framework for exchange program involving experts in the fields of digitization and preservation to share knowledge on best practices of both institutions; and bringing out a joint publication based on curated archival materials from both archives.
Speaking to the Observer, Singal said, “We had fruitful discussions on getting into an agreement. We hope to have a joint exhibition in about three months time which will be launched a New Delhi and Muscat as well as digitally.”
The exhibition would showcase some of the documents from both the archives that reflect the relationship. The collaboration could also include research training and such activities that would benefit both the archives.
The delegation also interacted with the representatives of the Indian diaspora who have been living in various parts of Oman for several generations, and many of whom have rich private archives. The NAI Director-General encouraged these members of the Indian diaspora to take care of the physical preservation of archival wealth in their possession as it serves as an authentic source of shared history between the two nations. He also offered NAI’s technical help in the conservation of their documents as well as in their digitization so that the valuable information is preserved for posterity.
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