Yukti V. Agarwal collection (OF.1S.2024.003)

This collection was contributed by Yukti V. Agarwal, Brown University class of 2024.5, to record the impact of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks on her life.

The Mumbai terrorist attacks of 2008 refer to multiple terrorist attacks that occurred on November 26–29, 2008, in Mumbai, India. The attacks were carried out by 10 gunmen who were believed to be connected to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based terrorist organization. Armed with automatic weapons and hand grenades, the terrorists targeted civilians at several sites in the southern part of Mumbai, including the Chhatrapati Shivaji railway station, the popular Leopold Café, two hospitals, and a theatre. While most of the attacks ended within a few hours after they began on November 26, attacks continued at three locations where hostages were taken—the Nariman House, the Oberoi Trident, and the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower. By the time the standoff ended at the Nariman House on the evening of November 28, six hostages as well as two gunmen had been killed. At the two hotels, dozens of guests and staff were either trapped by gunfire or held hostage. Indian security forces ended the siege at the Oberoi Trident around midday on November 28 and at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in the morning of the following day. In all, at least 174 people were killed. More than 300 people were injured. Nine of the 10 terrorists were killed, and one was arrested.

Agarwal's parents were on their way to a wedding at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel when they stopped at their local temple to pray. This prevented them from arriving at the hotel before the attacks began, ultimately saving their lives. Unfortunately, the bride, groom, and many guests were killed. Agarwal was eight years old at the time of the attacks. Later, at Brown University (in a Literary Arts course with Hiram (Rick) Moody: Graphic Novels and Comic Masterworks), she created a series of art books to process the terrorist attacks and the meaning of terrorism. They won the second prize for the Casey Shearer Memorial Award for Non-Fiction in 2024.

This collection contains the pink embroidered dupattā that Agarwal's parents bought for the bride as well as the artbooks she subsequently created. These items date from 2008 - circa 2018 and are arranged into one series alphabetically. The art books are meant to be read in the order arranged.