On 3 September, 2026, the students of class XII-A, Humanities Stream (History), Unity College, undertook an enriching educational visit to the Uttar Pradesh State Archives at Mahanagar Extension, Lucknow.

The initiative for the visit was taken by the History teacher, Mr Mohd Mohiuddin, and the visit was approved by the Principal, Mr Deepak Mervin Mathews, and the Vice Principal, Mr Sachindra Bharti. The visit provided the students with a valuable opportunity to move beyond textbooks and experience history through original records, documents and archival materials.

Upon arrival, the students were warmly welcomed by the officials, who introduced them to the functioning and significance of the State Archives. One of the most informative sessions focused on the Kakori Incident, an important chapter in India’s Freedom Struggle. The students gained insights into the incident, the revolutionaries associated with it, their respective roles and the punishments awarded to them. The session also enhanced their knowledge of several eminent freedom fighters and their invaluable contributions to India’s struggle for independence.

Another fascinating aspect of the visit was the session on the preservation of historical documents. The students were introduced to various physical and chemical methods employed to protect valuable records from deterioration. A practical demonstration of document preservation was conducted, including the tissue-paper method and a protective lamination technique. The students were also given an opportunity to participate in the process, making the experience more interactive and memorable.

The visit further offered the students a glimpse of rare historical documents, maps and records preserved in the Archives. Witnessing these priceless sources of history and learning about the meticulous efforts undertaken to safeguard them was an inspiring experience.

Students expressed their gratitude to Mr Amitabh Pandey, Archivist Mr Anjini Kumar Tripathi, Mr Santosh Kumar Yadav and Mr Vijay Srivastava for their guidance and for sharing their valuable knowledge with the students.

The visit strengthened the students’ understanding of India’s glorious past and reminded them that history is not merely something to be read, but a living legacy that must be understood, preserved and remembered.