Translation scholars working with historical contexts and translations are aware that they do not re-construct translation history as a consequence of working with stable and reliable archives. But the challenge they face is how their focus on translation can be used as a pivot to engage critically with archival evidence as itself a construct. Rather than 'extract' archival evidence to re-construct a history how does the translation scholar respond to the constructed nature of the archive in the first place? Equally, how should they interpret the silence of many archives on matters relating to translation? I will draw on my experience of working with archives relating to South Asia to comment on the construction and circulation of 'translatables' and 'non-translatables' and the trajectory of specific historical narratives. I will argue that interpretative engagements with archival materials through the lens of translation can yield valuable insights for the historian who may not have hitherto paid attention to the transformative role of translation or languages. This approach will also be useful for translation scholars who may be tempted to treat history as a mere inanimate backdrop to their study of translation.