Delhi Legislative Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta visited the British Library in London on Saturday to explore a special collection of colonial‑era records. The trip was organised with the help of the British High Commission and highlights a growing partnership between India’s lawmakers and the UK’s largest library.
While walking through the Library’s archives, Gupta studied rare photos and manuscripts that trace the evolution of India’s parliamentary institutions—from the Imperial Legislative Council to the present-day Delhi Assembly. He said the materials help lawmakers and students understand the roots of India’s democracy and inspire future reforms.
“The study of legislative history is not just academic; it connects us with the foundations of our democratic journey,” Gupta explained. “These records will motivate – in lawmakers, scholars and the youth – to strengthen the democratic values in our Constitution.”
During the visit, the Speaker examined documents dated 1900–1930 that reveal how colonial rule shaped India’s governing bodies. He also toured photographs of the early Delhi Legislative Council chambers, the 1911 Delhi Durbar, and early views of New Delhi’s Government House and Durbar Hall. These images show how the city and its institutions were built over a century ago.
The British Library gave Gupta a briefing on how fragile papers are preserved and digitised. The library’s digitisation system protects thousands of historical items and makes them accessible to researchers in India and beyond.
The trip was a milestone for India’s legislative heritage. “This collaboration promotes India’s legislative history and strengthens cultural ties with London,” the Assembly statement said. Gupta presented the book Modi@20 to the Library’s International Office Manager, Cécile Communal, thanking them for their cooperation.
Key figures in the delegation included Sahara Qureshi of the British High Commission. The visit underlines how historical archives can support democratic education and policy making today.
The British Library, the world’s largest national institution, holds over 20 million items from many countries. Its partnership with the Delhi Legislative Assembly serves as a model for how institutions can share knowledge and preserve democratic traditions.
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