The fonds contains professional and person records created or compiled by Arvind Sharma, divided into 7 series:
A. Biographical records
B. Writings
C. Public addresses
D. Teachings
E. Distinctions
F. Correspondence
G. Photographs

The fonds contain textual material such as correspondence, unpublished and published material, notes, research and teaching material, as well as photographs of Sharma and acquaintances. It also contains visual and audio recordings of Sharma from events in addition to objects having belonged to Sharma.

This series documents Sharma’s personal life including academic pursuits, recommendation letters, objects, gifts, travel records, financial records, personal documentation and a selection of miscellaneous items.

Subseries documents Sharma’s academic years, from his early period at Allahabad University (in the late 50s) to his Harvard PhD (1978), through study notes, grade bulletins and diplomas.

Sub-subseries contains Sharma’s study notes from Harvard University, 1967-1978.

This sub-subseries documents Sharma’s grades and courses taken during his post-secondary academic career, beginning in the 1950s and continuing through until Harvard University in the 1970s.

This sub-subseries contains a selection of Sharma’s degrees. This includes the encased Masters in Economics from Syracuse University, 1970; an untranslated Latin note from Harvard related to Sharma’s status; Bachelor of Arts from Allahabad University, 1958; two higher secondary education certificates, dated 18 January 1955 and 3 June 1956, respectively; a Civil Defense Staff certificate from the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of India, 15 April 1963; and a PhD diploma in Sanskrit and Indian Studies from Harvard, 1978.

Subseries documents Sharma’s professional activities through a 25 page CV, 13 recommendation letters for his application to Harvard’s PhD program and 2 recommendation letters for a position in Northeastern University’s Department of Philosophy and Religion in 1967 and a position Williams College’s Department of Religion in 1978, respectively.

Subseries contains objects of personal value to Sharma and includes gifts, linens and travel documents.

Sub-subseries contains 26 signed books from friends and authors and are identified from A3.1-1 to A3.1-26

Subseries contains private papers of Sharma, including financial records, properties, martial documents, and personal legal records.