Interpreting Knowledge of the Present and Past to Last Forever: Archivalization

This article describes the archivalization practice that prevailed in the world. As a case study, I examine how it prevailed in Kerala, specifically in Travancore, from the first half of the fourteenth century to the nineteenth century. The article focuses on the palm leaf documents of Travancore, which are a storehouse of knowledge. There are about three million palm leaf documents, which constitute the biggest hoard in India. The complex and elaborate procedures of archivalization processes of the late medieval period are delineated. The documents from the past were not written merely to account for matters. These documents were recalled time and again in later periods when doubts and disputes about the customs and traditions of the temple and Swaroopam occurred. Sometimes, centuries-old documents were recalled to settle disputes. These documents consist of knowledge for future; therefore, they are important for the historians and educationists.