The Malabar Archives and Library is an initiative of the Archdiocese of Verapoly, one of the oldest Catholic jurisdictions in India, with origins dating back to 1657 when it was known as the Apostolic Vicariate of Malabar
📂 What the Archives Contain
The archive preserves a wide range of documents, such as:
- Portuguese, Dutch and other Civil documents
- Correspondence from Propaganda Fidei
- Pastoral letters
- Circulars related to Social Life
- Missionary correspondence
- Sacramental registers (baptism, marriage, etc.)
- Church decrees and administrative records
These materials are written in multiple languages:
- Latin
- Portuguese
- Dutch
- Malayalam
- Italian
- English
🌍 Why It Matters
The Malabar Archives & Library:
- Safeguards the heritage of the Catholic Church in Kerala
- Helps scholars understand religious, cultural, and indigenous history of Malabar
- Provides insight into the development of Catholicism in South India