Introduction *

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book describes how difficulties in translation and transliteration from Ottoman Turkish can make access to the records of the Ottoman era in Turkey very challenging. It draws attention to cataloguing issues in the National Library of India. The book describes how the declaration of martial law by President Marcos of the Philippines in 1972 led to archival silences and manipulation of the official memory. It describes how the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library in New Delhi had closed records relating to sensitive issues in Indian politics – China, Kashmir and Indira Gandhi’s Emergency of 1975–1977. The book raises the issue of a failure by Indian government departments to transfer records to the National Archives and highlights shoddy collection management by ill-trained and overworked staff.