Miscellaneous Records

Mumbai Archives Records >> Miscellaneous Records

The Records which are not covered under Factory and Residency Records, and Secretariat (Departmental) Records can be considered as ‘Miscellaneous Records’. These records consist of the proceedings of many interesting old bodies and institutions, Political Missions, Committees appointed for administrative matters, records of subordinate officers and a few miscellaneous registers and returns. These records are as follows:

  1. Grain Scarcity (in Mumbai, 1803 – 1806).
    Diaries: 6 volumes (Nos. 317 to 322), September 1803 to June 1806.
  2. Governor’s Tours —
    (i) Surat Tour of the Governor J. Duncan. Diary: 1 volume (No.17), 1800.
    (ii)Guzerat Tour of the Governor J. Duncan – Diaries: 4 volumes (Nos. 311 to 314), 1802
    (iii)Guzerat Tour of the Governor J. Duncan
    • Diaries
    • Minute Book

  3. Governor’s Private Secretary’s Records – Consultations: 12 volumes (Nos. 331 to 342), 1796 to 1816.
  4. Surveys – Records and Registers of the Revenue and Topographical Surveys in Mumbai, Guzerat, Dharwar, etc. 20 volumes (Nos. 1 to 20), 1793 to 1829.
  5. Returns and Statements
  6. Foreign Powers – Extract selections of proceedings connected with Foreign Powers (e.g. the Peshwas, the Angres, the Gaikwads, etc.) and copies of treaties. 58 volumes (Nos. 1 to 53) and Nos. 1, 44, 47 and 50 being double and No. 19 triple.
  7. Selections – This is a large collection of volumes upon a great variety of subjects. Some of the volumes are compilations, i.e., the original papers of subjects brought before Government. These are miscellaneous papers or collection of papers on particular subjects compiled from time to time for reference. So far as can be ascertained all their contents appear also in the Diaries or other regular records. The number of volumes is 184. (Nos. 14 to 21 transferred to Malabar).
  8. Selected Compilations – In the same pattern as above ‘Selections’ these are also collection of papers on particular subjects compiled from time to time for reference. The number of these Compilations is 184. A detailed index of them is available.
  9. Mr. Warden’s Selections — This is a series of selections called “Schedules compiled by Mr. Warden,” chiefly from the diaries of the Secret and Political Departments. These were made available to Grant Duff, for writing his ‘History of the Mahrattas.’ These are in all 19 volumes (No.1 to 19) covering the period from 1754 to 1821. (No.19 was missing while compiling this Handbook.)
  10. Poona Embassy – 3 volumes (Nos. 172 to 174) – 1759 to 1779 No. 172 contains first the proceedings of Mr. Price in 1759, then the proceedings of Mr. Mostyn in 1767-68. No.173 contains the proceedings of Mr. Mostyn in his embassy in 1772-73. No. 174 contains a continuation of the diary of Mr. Mostyn up to February 1774 and also a diary of the proceedings of a committee appointed to accompany Raghunath Rao to Poona (December 1778 and January 1779). These Records have been published by G.W. Forrest in his Selections from State Papers: Maratha Series.
  11. Persian Gulf Mission - These volumes contain the proceedings of Mr. Garden, who was commissioned to compromise the differences in the Persian Gulf between the Persian and English Governments. The contents of No. 283 are repeated in No. 284, and much more is added. 2 volumes (Nos.283 and 284) – 1775 and 1776.
  12. Malet’s Diary of Travel to Calcutta – This is a Diary of C.W.Malet’s journey from Mumbai to Calcutta. He was sent to the Governor General to receive instructions prior to his appointment as Resident at Poona, and called Mahadji Shinde’s camp on his way. The volume is described by Major Candy as curious and interesting, and the same has been published by G.W. Forrest in his Selections, Maratha Series, Vol. I Part III. 1 volume (No.287) 1785 and 1786.
  13. Baghdad Mission – Diaries: 8 volumes (Nos. 300 to 307) 1801 to 1807.
  14. Goa Envoy – Diaries: 8 volumes (Nos. 603 to 610) 1803 to 1816.
  15. Arabia and Mokha Mission – This volume contains the proceedings of Captain Sadlier deputed by the Supreme Government to Ibrahim Pacha, and subsequently those of Captain, Bruce, Agent at Mokha. There are also remarks on the route across Arabian Gulf to the Red Sea. Diary: 1 volume (No. 323) 1819 to 1821.
  16. Powder House Committee – These volumes contain the proceedings of the Committee in charge of the Powder Works in Mumbai. Diaries: 2 volumes (Nos. 175 and 176) 1760 to 1771.
  17. Select Committee’s Minute Book – The contents of this volume are given more fully in Nos. 2 and 3 of the Secret and Political Department Minute Books. 1 volume (No.8) 1775 to 1780.
  18. Accounts Committee –The constitution of this Committee was ordered by the Honorable Court of Directors. The Governor was always to be a member. 1 volume (No.181) 1784 and 1785.
  19. Army Arrears Committee – The Proceedings of Government on this Committee’s Report may be seen in the Military Department Minute Book for 1787 to 1789 (No.11).
  20. Hospital Board – Proceedings of the Hospital Board during 1787-89. Diary.—1 volume (No. 289) 1787 to 1789.
  21. Buildings Committee – This Committee was appointed to superintend the buildings within the Town Walls and to prevent encroachments. Diaries: 4 volumes (Nos. 177 to 180) 1787 to 1807.
  22. Civil and Medical Establishments Reduction Committee – Diary: 1 volume (No. 182) 1798. Minute Book: 1 volume (No.15) 1798.
  23. Board of Health – Minute Book: 1 volume (No. 16) 1800-01.
  24. Town Repairs Committee – This committee was appointed to report on the best means of repairing the destruction caused by the fire of 17th February 1803.
  25. Invalids’ Embarkation Committee – This volume contains a diary of proceedings in 1808, and register of Embarkation certificates from 1820 to 1832. Diary: 1 volume (No. 456) 1808, 1820-1832.
  26. Regulations Revision Committee – Diaries: 3 volume (Nos. 597-98 to 600) 1812 to 1823.
  27. Customs Revision Committee – This committee was appointed to revise the customs Regulations of the Presidency. Diaries:- 6 volumes (Nos. 187 to 191 and 191-A), 1817 to 1825, volume 191-A is an index.
  28. Establishment Revision Committee – Outward Book: – 1 volume (No. 74), 1823.
  29. Records in Portuguese – volumes (Nos. 1 to 6) 1717 to 1741.
  30. Ratnagiri Diaries – Diary of the Collector of Ratnagiri – 5 Diaries (Nos 1/1817 to 5/1820).
  31. Mumbai Court of Oyer and Terminer – Diary: 1 volume (No.119) 1743 to 1745.
  32. Mumbai Theatre – This was an amateur institution, entirely un-official. The books were presumably sent to the Record Office by some private person or persons. Diaries – 2 volumes (Nos. 601 to 602) 1816 to 1830.
  33. Longford Records – These are regarding abolition of Transit Duties. 15 volumes (Nos. 2 to 16), 1836-37 to 1839 No.1 is missing.
  34. Indian Navy (Marine Superintendent) – Diaries: Inward and Outward letter Books, etc., – 186 volumes (1735 to 1837).
  35. Marine Board – Diaries: 114 volumes (1772 to 1816).
  36. Military Auditor General – 64 volumes (1795 to 1849).
  37. Military Board – Diaries: 87 volumes (Nos. 437 to 529) 1780 to 1820.
  38. Revenue Judge and Senior Magistrate of Police - Inward Letter Book – 1 volume (No.105), 1812 to 1814.
  39. Mumbai Marine Annual Statements - Annual Statements, of all the Naval Establishment of the East India Company at Bombay showing also all payments made in the Marine Department. 4 volumes (Nos. 16 to 19), 1852 to 1855.
  40. Esplanade Committee - Minutes of the Proceedings of the Committee for paying the Esplanade Claimants. 1 volume (1820).
  41. Revenue Survey Records - 44 volumes (No.1 to 44) 1814 to 1830.
  42. Political Department Weekly Diaries - Weekly Diaries of Agent for Sardars in Deccan, Political Agent in Rewa Kantha, Kathiawad, Collector of Satara, Political Agent in the Southern Maratha Country, etc. 31 Diaries (Nos. 1 to 31), 1820 to 1859.
  43. Dharwar Collector’s Diary - The Dharwar Collector’s Diary is worth consulting as regards the settlement of the districts of the Southern Maratha Country, as the Mumbai Government was not regularly supplied with copies of the reports submitted by the local officers. The later were submitted direct to the Government of India, which was conducting the military operations and subsequent settlement. Consequently the Dharwar Collector’s and the Poona Resident’s records supplement the Secretariat Records proper on this subject. 1 volume (No.804) 1818 and 1819.
  44. Oriental Translator to Government - 53 volumes (Nos. 1 to 53), (1812 to 1916). 5 Outward Registers- 1908 to 1918; 4 Inward Registers- 1902 to 1914.
  45. Inspector General of Prisons, Poona - 28 files (1928 to 1943).
  46. Collector of Nasik District - 294 files.
  47. Tahasildar, Nasik - 1326 files (7 Rumals).
  48. Silver Jubilee Committee Files - 200 Approx.
  49. Mumbai Provincial Banking and Textile Labour Enquiry Committee - these files about 400 relate to appointment of Textile Labour Inquiry Committee, their staff and allowances, Maternity Benefit Act and its working visits to Mills, Factories and Institutions, evidences of workers, schemes of Standardization of wages, representations made on Interim Report, wages in the cotton textile industry, etc
  50. Stage Performance Scrutiny Board - Under the Mumbai Police Act, 1951 control is exercised over performances for public amusement, including musical concerts, mimetic or theatrical shows, Melas and Tamashas. One of the measures of control is prior scrutiny of the scripts for such performances by a Board appointed by the State Government and called the Stage Performances Scrutiny Board. All scripts of performances proposed to be staged have to be submitted to this Board and no performance can be staged of which the script is not passed by the Board. The Board has transferred 8,759 files of correspondence regarding scrutiny of various scripts and 7,065 printed and manuscript books of dramas, etc. scrutinized by them. They are in Marathi, Hindi, English, Malyalam, Kannad, Bengali, Urdu, etc. The records relate to the period between 1955 and 1972. The Lists are available.
  51. Janjira Diwan Records - 757 files (bound volumes).
  52. Raj Bhavan Records - This is a collection of 53 Files acquired from Raj Bhavan, Mumbai and it contains correspondence of the British Governors of Mumbai. The subjects are of miscellaneous nature, viz. Deccan Sardars, Shivaji Memorial, attempt on the life of Sir Earnest Hotson, visit to India by the Duke of Connaught, Prince of Wales, Coronation Darbar Medals, etc.
  53. Controller of Hostile Trading Concerns and Custodian of Enemy Property, Mumbai - About 800 files (1915 to 1928).
  54. Director of Civil Supplies - 50 files (1918 to 1921).
  55. Collection of Papers received from the India Office - 18 volumes (typed), 1660 to 1698.
  56. Chanda Records - These are 27 Rumals regarding Criminal Records of 1856-57 and old registers of Devasthans and monuments in Chanda District, acquired from the Collector’s Office, Chanda.
  57. Dakshina Prize Committee and Director of Public Instructions - Three bundles containing records of the Dakshina Price Committee which were left by the Director of Public Instructions office in the Secondary Teachers’ Training College, Poona, have been acquired by the Directorate of Archives in 1964, for preservation and making them available to research scholars. These records, covering the period from 1851 to 1868 and which have been now bound in 5 volumes, contain good reports on the literary works in Marathi written by ‘Natives’ of India. Some of them are found rewarded and a few rejected. It is found that the works received are reviewed by the Secretary, Dakshina Prize Committee. (Some of these ‘literary reviews’ have been published in Maharashtra Archives Bulletin No.7, pp.29-48).
  58. High Court Records -
  59. Extract from Surat Factory Diary - No.1, 1783-1793
  60. Extract by Mr. Duncan - Diary No.2 of 1809.
  61. Duncan Diary Compilation - No. 3 of 1810.
  62. Collector of Bombay Diary - No. 271 of 1795-1796.
  63. Custom Revenue Accounts of Bombay Custom Master - Vol.1 of 1804-1806
  64. Accountant Bank Index, Letters Received & Sent - Vol. 1 of 1834-35
  65. Town Duty Inward Letters Book - Vol. No. 11 of 1859.
  66. China Trade Licensing to China Securing Plan Ships Europe China - Vol. No. 50 of 1838.
  67. Deccan Tour Diary - (a).- Vol. 7, No. 324-330 of 1822-23 (b).- Minute Book 2 Vol. No. 24 & 25 of 1822-1826.
  68. Extract of Inward & Outward Correspondence of Government - Vol. No. 1-3 of 1768-1780.
  69. Bombay Town Gazetteer - Vol. No. 1-4 of 1891-1894.
  70. Textile Labour Enquiry Committee File - 181 Files of 1937-1940.
  71. Proceedings of the Bombay Strike Enquiry Committee - 6th Type Vol. of 1928-29.
  72. Court of Enquiry Files - Dispute between Mill Owner & Workers 42 Files of 1929.
  73. Bombay University Reforms Committee - 29 Files of 1924.
  74. Technical & Industrial Education Committee - 15 Files of 1921-1922
  75. Elphinstone College - 596 Vol. of 1829-1965
  76. Collector of Bombay Secretariat File - File No. 69A of 1799-1804