The Arcot Mission of the RCA in India began with Dr. John Scudder in 1836. As the mission grew, the missionaries taught practices of agriculture and helped with medical assistance, as well as with the building of churches, hospitals, and schools. All the while they stressed the Gospel in a land skeptical of Christianity. The mission built up an indigenous church in which the Indians had full membership and equality. Arcot Mission was fairly successful; even Francis Clark, president of Christian Endeavor, visited. By 1950, the mission claimed to have 35,000 converted Indians. With its independence granted in 1947, India put restraints on missionary activities. The number of Christian converts has remained miniscule in comparison to the total population of India.

This collection consists of books, booklets, brochures, magazine articles, maps, pamphlets, and reports related to the Arcot Mission in southern India. There are materials on specific missions such as Vellore and Katpadi. This collection also includes biographical information on missionaries and converts.