SSC
The National Archives of India was established (as the Imperial Record Department) in:
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Answer: Option B — 1891
Detailed Solution
The National Archives of India was established on 11 March 1891 in Calcutta (Kolkata) as the "Imperial Record Department".
About the National Archives of India:
Its first Keeper of Records was G. W. Forrest, a historian.
When the capital of British India moved from Calcutta to New Delhi in 1911, the department was also shifted to Delhi. Its present building on Janpath, New Delhi, was completed in 1926.
After independence, it was renamed the "National Archives of India".
It works under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
It is the custodian of the non-current records of the Government of India, and holds them for the use of administrators and scholars.
It is the largest archival repository in South Asia.
Its collections include public records from 1748 onwards, as well as private papers, manuscripts, maps, and documents in many languages, including English, Persian, Sanskrit, Arabic, Hindi and Urdu.
It has a regional office in Bhopal and record centres in Bhubaneswar, Jaipur and Puducherry.
"Abhilekh Patal" is its online portal that allows people to view digitised records.
Its work is governed by the Public Records Act, 1993, which regulates the management and preservation of government records.
Its important documents include the original records of the British East India Company, the Indian independence movement and the making of the Constitution.
Other heritage institutions:
- Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): 1861, New Delhi.
- National Museum: New Delhi, 1949.
- National Library of India: Kolkata.
- National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA): New Delhi, 1954.
- Indian Historical Records Commission: 1919.
Why not the other options?
- ✗1861 is the year the Archaeological Survey of India was established.
- ✗1911 is the year the capital moved from Calcutta to Delhi.
- ✗1947 is the year of India's independence.
Quick tip
Remember: National Archives of India = 11 March 1891 (Imperial Record Department, Calcutta; moved to Delhi after 1911; Ministry of Culture; Public Records Act 1993; Abhilekh Patal portal); ASI = 1861.
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Art & Culture Personalities — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Art & Culture Personalities, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers the people behind India's art and culture: classical and folk dancers, vocalists and instrumentalists, painters, sculptors, theatre and film personalities, and the gurus who founded or revived art forms. Questions also cover the art form each person is known for and the honours they have received. Exams typically name a person and ask for their art form, or name an art form and ask who popularised it. Recent Padma award winners from the arts appear often, so link each name to the field and state the award was given for. Since award lists change every year, always revise from the latest official list rather than relying on older notes. Practise the art and culture personalities questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.