About Department
The Department of Archives, Archaeology, and Museum was established in 1963 under the Government of Jammu and Kashmir with the establishment of an Archives Repository at Leh,
Ladakh. After the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir and the formation of the Union Territory of Ladakh, the department was renamed as the Department of Archives,Archaeology, and Museum, Ladakh.
At present, the Assistant Director / Registering Officer Antiquities is the head of the department. All official communications are processed through the office of the Registering
Officer Antiquities, Leh, which serves as the department’s headquarters.
The department comprises three wings:
1. Archives Wing
2. Archaeology Wing
3. Museum Wing
Archives Repository, Leh
A small Archives Repository is functioning in Leh, which houses historical records including:
• Revenue Department Records from 1908 AD:
- Jammabandi (Year 1908)
- Massavies (Land maps)
- Kacharya (Grazing land records)
• General Department Records
Archaeology
Presently, the department maintains two protected monuments:
1. Rock-carved statue (Chamba) of Maitreya Buddha near Karchay Khar Village, Block Sankoo, District Kargil.
2.Rock-carved statue of Maitreya Buddha at Apati Village, District Kargil.
Museum
The department plans to construct a new museum building in District Kargil. The LAHDC, Kargil has allotted 3 kanals of land at Trespone Village for this purpose.
Conservation / Digitization of Records:-
The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh has provided funds for the conservation of records housed in the Archives Repository, Leh.
Conservation work is currently in progress.
Digitization of historical records is ongoing. To date, approximately 1 lakh (100,000) pages have been digitized.
Awareness Programs
The department regularly organizes awareness programs to promote the importance of preserving Ladakh’s rich cultural heritage.
Vision
To preserve, protect, and promote the rich cultural heritage of Ladakh through systematic conservation of historical records, archaeological sites, and museum collections, ensuring their accessibility for research, education, and public awareness for future generations.
Mission
To safeguard Ladakh’s historical records, monuments, and artifacts through scientific conservation, efficient archival management, and public engagement; to encourage research and
knowledge sharing; and to foster cultural pride and heritage awareness among the community.