South Asian Legacies Exhibition

November 2024 – April 2025

Join us as we explore the past, present and future of South Asian histories and South Asian students at the University of Leicester. On display are a selection of rare books, historical manuscripts and original photographs from the University Archives. The exhibition also features more personal items, donated by South Asian students. 

The exhibition forms part of the student volunteering project South Asian Legacies, which was led by the Students’ Union in collaboration with Archives & Special Collections.  

About the project

In Spring 2024, students from a range of South Asian backgrounds were invited to participate in a series of workshops involving archives and rare books relating to South Asian histories. The workshops generated discussion points around the items, some of which are included throughout the exhibition as anonymous quotes. 

The project also included interviews with the student volunteers about their own personal histories – clips of these interviews can be listened to on the Interactive Screen. Some of these students contributed personal items which are displayed in the exhibition, and their interview clips provide more detail about the stories behind their items. 

We would like to thank all of the volunteers for their contributions to this project – it would not have been possible without them. 

When to visit

Located on the ground floor of the David Wilson Library, the exhibition is open every day between 9.30am and 4.30pm (excluding public holidays and University closure days). Entry to the Library is free but security controlled. Ask for admission to the Special Collections exhibition at reception.

For more information email specialcollections@le.ac.uk or call +44 (0)116 252 2056.