Chitthi Manuscript

Chitthi refers to letters, notes, or scrolls ranging from a few inches to meters in length. Our collection contains nearly 4,000 such manuscript folios, handwritten on durable handmade paper using organic black ink. Many have seals and stamps, including that of the Gaekwad Sarkar.

These documents primarily consist of correspondence from the Haribhakti banking firm (Pedhi) to their partners, traders, and customers. They span topics such as trade negotiations, financial transactions, agreements, and legal directives.

Dated between 19th and 20th Century a period of significant economic and political change these chitthis provide rare insights into merchant networks, market strategies, and the formalities of business communication. Efforts are ongoing to digitize and analyze them within the Ishwar Haribhakti Archives, offering a vital resource for researchers studying trade and communication of 19th–20th century in India.