Department Of Archaeology

Introduction :

The Department Of Archives and Department Of Archaeology is the oldest Archives in the country. Established on 25thFebruary, 1595 by the famous Historian Diogo do Couto, also its first Records Keeper, the Archives was named as “Torre do Tombo do Estado da India”. The oldest Portuguese record is of the year 1498. Currently the Goa Archives is designated as Department Of Archives and Department Of Archaeology.

Services Provided

It contains source material relating to the history of European expansion in Asia & Africa especially the rise, fall, and decay of the Portuguese sea-borne empire of India (1510-1961) and the attempts made by the Asian & African powers to oust the Europeans from Asia & Africa. Besides, there are records pertaining to Village Communities, a good collection of files pertaining to the freedom struggle of Goa, registers of Baptism, Births & Deaths, Deeds & Wills as well as some very useful records from churches in Goa.

Most of the records are in Portuguese & Marathi (Modi) though quite a few documents are also in Sanskrit, Persian, English, French & Vietnamese. There are some Canarese records in the Goykanadi script, though the language is Marathi. There are also Swahili letters penned almost 300 years ago which comprise the oldest corpus of Swahili prose so far discovered.

Visiting Hours

The Directorate of Archives and Archaeology is open on all working days from Monday to Friday between 9.30 a.m. to 1.15 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 5.45 p.m. However, the timings for consultation of records is 9.45 a.m. to 12.45 p.m. and 2.15 to 4.00 p.m.

Do’s for the Public

To use the Archives the scholars/public should enter their name in the visitor’s Book and fill in the entry slip at the reception. After depositing their belonging s at the reception, the scholars/public should contact Archivist (General) for search/research of records, the Librarian if they desire to use the Library for reference work. Scholars/public wishing to purchase publications of the Directorate may please contact Archivist (Publication). In case of any difficulty the scholars/public can contact the Director.

Public Grievances

There will be occasions when our services will not be up to your expectations, please do not hesitate to register your complaint. It will only help us to serve you better. Every grievance will be duly acknowledged. We aim to settle your genuine complaints within 10 working days of its receipt. Suggestions/complaint boxes are provided. Director is the Public Grievances Officer.