Public Works Department Records

IOR/L/PWD

Public Works Department Records

1839-1931

The Public Works Department group includes the records from some of its predecessor departments within the East India Company and the India Office such as the Public Works Department of the Examiner's Office (1856-1858), the Railway and Telegraph branches of the Secretary's Office (c 1849-58), and the Railway and Telegraph Department of the India Office (1858-61). The group also includes the records of two institutions closely connected with public works matters, namely the Indo-European Telegraph Department (1865-1931) and the Royal Indian Engineering College at Cooper's Hill (1871-1905). The Indo-European Telegraph Department operated the network of telegraph lines and submarine cables from Karachi to the Gulf and in Persia. The Royal Indian Engineering College was responsible for training railway and public works engineers and (from 1883) forestry officers. The Public Works group of records contains documentation (including in some cases plans and drawings) on the following main subjects: bridges; canals; civil aviation (from c 1919); Eastern Mail Service (from 1914); fisheries (c 1869-71); forestry (c 1861-63); Indo-European Telegraph Department; irrigation; military works; municipal engineering works; ports and harbours (especially from 1921); Post Office and postal service (from 1914); public buildings and government houses; railways; roads; Royal Indian Engineering College, Cooper's Hill; telegraphs; wireless telegraphy.

For information on public works before the start of the main IOR/L/PWD series in the mid-nineteenth century, see the Military Department (IOR/L/MIL), the Revenue Department (under IOR/L/E), and the Public Department (under IOR/L/PJ). Relevant material from these departments may in some cases be more conveniently located by referring to Correspondence with India, 1703-1858 (IOR/E/4) via the Indexes to Despatches (IOR/Z/E/4). For information on public works from 1926 see: the Economic Department records (IOR/L/E) for general policy on irrigation, posts and telegraphs, patents etc; the Finance Department (IOR/L/F) for general policy on railways; the Services and General Department (IOR/L/S&G) for personnel related issues. For the Committee records associated with the correspondence included in IOR/L/PWD/2 and 3, prior to the dissolution of the Company in 1858, see especially under IOR/L/F/1/1-99 in the case of railways and telegraphs and IOR/L/MIL/1/49-80 and IOR/L/PJ/1 for other public works questions. See also IOR/Z/L/PWD/1 for a register of papers laid before the Council of India Public Works Committee (1921-26).

Public Record(s)

English

c 4516 volumes/files and 1 box

Available for research unless otherwise stated

Prior to 1858, public works matters were principally dealt with by the Military (IOR/L/MIL), Revenue (IOR/L/E) and Public (IOR/L/PJ) departments. The India Office Public Works Department, whose records form the nucleus of this group, existed from 1858. In August 1861 the Railway and Telegraph Department amalgamated with the Public Works Department. The Indo-European Telegraph Department was closely connected with the the Public Works Department so its records are included here. (For records and further information on the IETD's administrative history, see IOR/L/PWD/7.) In November 1901 the Public Works Department's responsibility for the management of recruitment and training for its services was transferred to the Judicial and Public Department. The Public Works Department regained this responsibility between October 1911 and April 1912. In April 1914, postal work was transferred from the Financial Department (except for financial adjustments with the General Post Office which remained with the Financial Department). In October 1926, following the abolition of the Public Works Department, its responsibilities were distributed among three departments. Recruitment and service questions affecting railway and engineering personnel were transferred to the Services and General Department. General policy questions about railways were now dealt with by the Finance Department and the post of Government Director of Railways (now also designated Railway Adviser) was attached to the Finance Department. The Economic and Overseas Department took over general policy questions about irrigation, posts and telegraphs, ports and harbours, patents etc.