Imagine hearing India’s story directly from those who lived it. The Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) holds a remarkable collection of oral histories, featuring interviews with key figures who have shaped the nation. From historical giants like Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Acharya J.B. Kripalani to prominent personalities such as Louis Mountbatten, Ranjan Gogoi, and T.N. Chaturvedi, these accounts offer unparalleled insights into India’s journey.
Established in 1966 as the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library’s Oral History Project, its initial vision was clear: to capture the recollections of individuals closely associated with India’s leaders, significant political events, or movements, whether as active participants or observant witnesses.
Over time, the project’s scope broadened significantly. It now encompasses a vast array of topics vital to national development, including economic shifts, foreign policy decisions, and more. To date, the PMML (formerly NMML) has amassed approximately 1372 interviews, with 988 of these meticulously transcribed, edited, and preserved in book format.
This Oral History Division has become a premier destination for researchers, historians, and students delving into modern Indian history. A senior PMML academic emphasizes that while oral histories alone don’t form the sole basis for research, they provide a robust foundation when thoughtfully integrated with other archival materials.
All interview transcripts are readily accessible to scholars and researchers in the Reading Room of the PMML’s Manuscripts Section, ensuring these valuable records contribute to ongoing historical discourse.
An official explained the project’s evolution, stating, ‘Initially, our oral history project at the PMML focused on collecting memories from individuals who interacted with India’s great leaders or were involved in significant political events and movements. This gradually expanded to cover broader aspects of national development, including the economy, foreign relations, arts, culture, sports, and the establishment of institutions.’
The illustrious roster of individuals who have shared their stories includes freedom fighters like Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Acharya J.B. Kripalani, political leaders such as Renuka Ray, E.M.S. Namboodiripad, Jyoti Basu, I.K. Gujral, and V.P. Singh, and even visionary scientists like S. Chandrasekhar and Prof. Satyen Bose. Recent additions feature prominent figures like former Kerala and Karnataka Governor T.N. Chaturvedi and former Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi.
The collection also features perspectives from international figures, offering their recollections of Jawaharlal Nehru or their connections to the Indian national movement. Notable names include Louis Mountbatten, Fenner Brockway, Horace Alexander, James Cameron, musician Yehudi Menuhin, Mrs. Martin Luther King, political leaders Willy Brandt and Chancellor Kreisky of Austria, Pierre Mendes-France, Chester Bowles, Tibor Mende, and poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, among many others.
Dr. Ravi Mishra, Joint Director of the PMML, confirmed the ongoing expansion of this vital archive, stating, ‘The list of individuals slated for interviews is constantly being updated, and we anticipate adding many more significant and influential voices.’
The interviews delve into a broad spectrum of historical topics, from the Partition of Bengal and the First World War’s impact to the nuances of Satyagraha campaigns and social reform movements. They explore the rise of trade unions, revolutionary activities, the socialist movement, the complexities of Indo-British relations, and the pivotal events that culminated in India’s partition.