Welcome

Welcome! This guide introduces you to digitized collections that offer firsthand perspectives on world history through original materials, including letters, photographs, maps, and government documents.

The side tabs organize resources by geographical regions and topical themes, helping you focus on areas such as specific continents, cultures, or subjects in global history.

Each page includes brief summaries of selected sites so you can easily see what kinds of primary sources they contain and how they might support your research.

Featured Source - Persian Language Rare Materials

Image from: Dīvān-i Rūḥī.

Persian Language Rare Materials

"These rare Persian manuscripts, lithographs and early imprint books comprise works in many disciplines, but historical and literary works are dominant. A number of these items are exquisitely illuminated anthologies of poetry by classic and lesser known poets, written in fine calligraphic styles, and illustrated with miniatures. Many also have beautiful bindings. A number of the illuminated books are multilingual works, which include Arabic and Turkish passages in addition to Persian, focusing on scientific, religious - philosophical and literary topics, and others are holy books important to all confessional traditions within the Islamic world.."
- from Persian Language Rare Materials

This collection is part of the African, Jewish, and Middle Eastern Studies: Digital Resources at the Library of Congress