Come and read the Ancient Archives of the Sub Continent

Archival Files

Akbari Mahal Kutub Khana and Archives (WCLA) houses a rich collection of more than 18,000 catalogued archival files. These include official records of the Archaeological Survey of India, documentation of excavations conducted at archaeological sites within the Northern Circle, and conservation notes on historically significant monuments of high research value. The collection is systematically catalogued and carefully preserved to support scholarly research and ensure the long-term accessibility of this valuable documentary heritage.

Glass Plate Negatives

Akbari Mahal Kutub Khana and Archives (WCLA) has successfully digitized over 4,000 glass plate negatives. These photographic negatives document excavated material from Gandhara and the Indus Valley Civilization, as well as archaeological artifacts from the Lahore Museum, Swat Museum, Takht-i-Bahi, and several other significant archaeological sites. Preserved through systematic digitization, these rare visual records ensure long-term conservation and enhanced accessibility for scholarly research and documentation.

Digitized Data

Akbari Mahal Kutub Khana and Archives (WCLA) has digitized more than 80,000 pages of archival material to ensure their preservation and enhance accessibility. This digitization initiative supports scholarly research, protects original records from physical deterioration, and enables efficient retrieval and long-term management of historical data.

Akbari Mahal Kutub Khana and Archives, an initiative by the WCLA, is located at the UNESCO

World Heritage Site of Lahore Fort.

Digital Resources

Archives

Books

Photos

Video

Glass Plates

A delegation from LUMS University

A delegation from LUMS University, comprising professors and research scholars, visited the Akbari Mahal Kutub Khana and ...

A delegation from the University of Narowal

A delegation from the University of Narowal, comprising 63 research students from various disciplines, paid a special visit to the Akbari ...

Reviews of Scholars, Researchers and Professionals

Mam Shajeea Shuja (Conservation architect)

For our project, we had to do some research, and we found out that the Akbari Amal Library…

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Dr Tahir Kamran

It was like a pleasure coming here because I saw this in the early phase and it was all in debris …

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