The Tharchin Collection, 1901-1975, bulk 1923-1963

Creator:

Tharchin, G., 1890-1976 and Tharchin Family

Extent:

7.58 linear feet 13 boxes

Language:

Chiefly in Tibetan and English. Also includes some materials in Hindi and Urdu.

Scope and content:

The Tharchin Collection consists primarily of correspondence, publications and drafts, photographs, daybooks and financial accounts, and autobiographical materials. The geographic coverage of the collection spans both sides of the Himalayas, in particular, the activities of intellectuals, officials, missionaries, and other historical figures in India, Sikkim, and Tibet.

Items of special note include an early diary and travel-notes personally recorded by Tharchin; photographs of family members and noteworthy visitors in Kalimpong; a five-volume dictionary drafted by Gegen Tharchin; trade-related documents, including a "Certificate for Traders, Muleteers and Porters"; and an imprint of a seal designed for the "Future Democratic Tibet Government."

Biographical / historical:

Gegen Dorje Tharchin (1890-1976; Tib. Dge-rgan Rdo-rje-mthar-phyin), also known as "Tharchin Babu" was founder of the Tibet Mirror Press in Kalimpong, India. In this capacity, he was renowned as editor of the Tibet Mirror newspaper (Tib. Yul phyogs so soʼi gsar ʼgyur me long) and the author or editor of many other Tibetan-language publications which circulated from 1925-1963 among Tibetan readers on both sides of the Himalayas, and as distantly as New York City.

Acquisition information:

Source of acquisition--Tharchin Family. Method of acquisition--Gift;; Date of acquisition--Received: 2007-2016.

Source of acquisition--Hackett, Paul G.. Method of acquisition--Gift;; Date of acquisition--Received: 2007.

Source of acquisition--Harris, Tina. Method of acquisition--Gift;; Date of acquisition--Received: 2008.

Published monographs;: Source of acquisition--Hackett, Paul G. Method of acquisition--Purchased; Date of acquisition--2008.

Source of acquisition--Engelhardt, Isrun. Method of acquisition--Gift;; Date of acquisition--Received: 2010, 2013.

Source of acquisition--Fader, Herbert. Method of acquisition--Gift;; Date of acquisition--Received: 2010-2013.

Manuscripts: Source of acquisition--Tibet Mirror Press [i.e., Daniel Tharchin]. Method of acquisition--Purchased; Date of acquisition--10/05/2016.

Processing information:

Processed by Lauran R. Hartley, with student assistants Mary Beth Morrissey, Jampa Choetso, and Tenzin Yewong Dongchung 2012-2016.

Finding Aid written by Lauran R. Hartley, with student assistants Mary Beth Morrissey, Jampa Choetso, and Tenzin Yewong Dongchung 2012-2016.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in six series and several subseries: Series I. The Tibet Mirror (Yul phyogs so soʼi gsar ʼgyur me long); Series II. Archival Materials from the Tibet Mirror Press Editorial Offices (Kalimpong, India); Series III. Correspondence; Series IV. Audiovisual Materials; Series V. Printed Materials; Series VI. Miscellaneous.

Arranged in chronological order. Series 1-2

Arranged in alphabetical order. Series 3 and 5

Arranged primarily in the order in which the materials arrived. Series 4 and 6

Accruals:

Further accruals will be added to this collection as received

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact starr@library.columbia.edu for more information.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Related material:

Most published monographs were separated from the collection and individually catalogued in the Columbia University Libraries' online catalog CLIO . They can be identified by searching "Forms part of the Tharchin Collection," and requested for onsite consultation during scheduled hours in the Rare Book and Special Collections Reading Room, C.V. Starr East Asian Library.

Other information:

Columbia University is deeply grateful to the Tharchin Family of Kalimpong, India for making these research materials available. Additional papers, time and effort were contributed by Isrun Engelhardt, Herbert Fader, Paul G. Hackett, and Tina Harris

Access and use

Restrictions:: This collection is located off-site. Box 9, which contains fragile photo negatives, is located offsite and restricted for preservation reasons; digital images of the contents are available. Most monographs were separated from the collection and catalogued in Columbia University's online catalogue. They can be identified by searching "Forms part of the Tharchin Collection" and requested for onsite consultation during scheduled hours in the Rare Book and Special Collections Reading Room, C.V. Starr East Asian Library. For further details, please consult the C.V. Starr East Asian Library staff.
Terms of access:: Columbia University is providing access to the materials in the Library's collections solely for noncommercial education and research purposes. The unauthorized use, including, but not limited to, publication of the materials without the prior written permission of Columbia University is strictly prohibited. All inquiries regarding permission to publish should be submitted in writing to the Director, C.V. Starr East Asian Library, Columbia University. In addition to permission from Columbia University, permission of the copyright owner (if not Columbia University) and/or any holder of other rights (such as publicity and/or privacy rights) may also be required for reproduction, publication, distributions, and other uses. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of any item and securing any necessary permissions rests with the persons desiring to publish the item. Columbia University makes no warranties as to the accuracies of the materials or their fitness for a particular purpose.

Preferred citation:: Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Tharchin Collection; series #, box # and folder #; C.V. Starr East Asian Library, Columbia University.

Location of this collection:: C.V. Starr East Asian Library

C.V. Starr Home Page
300 Kent Hall
1140 Amsterdam Ave.
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:: Researchers should request materials at least one week in advance to ensure availability. Due to limited storage, please request only the materials you plan to use during your visit.

Contact:: starr@library.columbia.edu

Collection