Rare books of library at Lucknow university's kabootar kothi being digitized

Rare books of library at Lucknow university's kabootar kothi being digitized

LUCKNOW: The RB Das library in the historical Kabootar Kothi of Nawabi era at present day Lucknow University's public administration department is all set to regain its glory with the support of the university's alumni. The rare collection in the library which was deteriorating with time will be restored and digitized completely by December-end.

"It would be the first departmental library of LU to be digitized completely. As many as 10,000 books have been already digitized and the rest will be with funds to be donated by university's alma mater on foundation day on November 25," said head of public administration Manoj Dixit.

He said the library is unique not only in terms of its classic collection of over 26,000 rare books but also the building in which it exists. "A rare painting at the library shows the Kabootar Kothi building as it looked approximately 200 years back," he added. "The Kabootarwali Kothi was made in 1820s for entertainment purpose. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was fond of pigeons and as many 1,000 pigeons were present in the Kothi at a time," said historian Yogesh Praveen.

The building is part of Badshah Bagh, a spot for hunting and leisure for Nawabs. It was taken over by Gen Dyer Mekin and his granddaughter used to visit here whenever she visited India, he added. It became the vice-chancellor's residence occupied by the first resident vice-chancellor of the Lucknow University Acharya Narendra Dev. "LU V-C Acharya Narendra Dev's love for students made him leave his residence to accommodate SC/ST students who were not allotted hostel at that time," said Dixit.


Ref- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Rare-books-of-library-at-Lucknow-universitys-Kabootar-Kothi-being-digitized/articleshow/55612692.cms