Preserving a Financial, spiritual and Cultural Legacy
The Ishwar Haribhakti Archives chronicles the extraordinary legacy of the Haribhakti family, whose roots trace back to the sixteenth century. The family’s prominence rose notably with the founding of the Hari Bhakti Pedhi in Poona during the mid-eighteenth century a pioneering institution in indigenous banking and finance.
This archive holds immense historical value, offering a rare and detailed window into the evolution of Indian financial systems, trade networks, and administrative practices over more than two centuries. The Haribhakti family played a pivotal role as state financiers to both the Peshwas of the Maratha Empire and the Gaekwads of Baroda, helping bridge regional economies and shaping political developments of their time.
Spanning from the Eighteenth to the Twentieth century, the collection includes:
- Extensive accounting records from their banking operations, which grew from Pune to Baroda
- Photographs capturing significant moments and family figures
- Newspaper clippings chronicling key socio-political events
- Correspondence offering insights into governance, commerce, and diplomacy
- Awards and recognitions highlighting the family’s societal contributions
- A wide range of manuscripts dating from the eighteenth to twentieth centuries
On a particular note is the role played by the women of the Haribhakti family, who led the construction of temples and dharamshalas across India—leaving behind a legacy of devotion, service, and architectural patronage.
Together, these materials form not just a record of a family’s legacy, but a vital resource for scholars exploring the economic, social, and political history of Western India from the eighteenth to the twentieth century.
