Rampur Raza Library
An autonomous institution of National Importance
Ministry of Culture, Government of India
Established:1774
An Overview:
Nawab Faizullah Ali Khan (c. 1730 – 17 July 1794) was the first Nawab of Rampur. The princely state of Rampur was set up in year 1774, after the First Rohilla War, by the dismemberment of the Rohilla Kingdom of Rohilkhand.
The Rampur Raza Library is one of the important libraries of South Asia. Besides works relating to different religions, traditions, it is a treasure house of Indo-Islamic learning and arts. This library was founded by Nawab Faizullah Khan in 1774. The Nawabs of Rampur were great patrons of learning and the learned ulema, poets, painters, calligraphers and musicians - enjoyed their patronage. After the independence of India and merger of the state in the union of India, the library was brought under the management of the trust, which was created on 6th April, 1951. Professor Saiyid Nurul Hasan, former Minister of Education, Government of India, brought this library under an Act of Parliament on 1st. July, 1975.
Now Rampur Raza Library, an autonomous institution of National Importance funded by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India & established in the premises of Hamid Manzil is one of the world's magnificent, unparalleled repository of cultural heritage & treasure-house of knowledge. The Rampur Raza Library was founded on 7th October 1774 by the first Nawab of Rampur State, Nawab Faizullah Khan. The Library has a collection of approximately 17,000 manuscripts & rare items including 150 illustrated manuscripts with 4000 illustrations, 1,000 miniature paintings in 35 albums, 2,000 specimens of Islamic calligraphy in 84 calligraphy albums, 300 Art objects, 1300 historical coins, and approximately 64,000 printed books.
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In 1774, Rampur’s first nawab Faizulla Khan, who was of a literary bent of mind, decided to house his collection of rare valuable books, manuscripts, and specimens of Islamic calligraphy in the toshakhana (treasure house) of his palace. Once Rampur acceded to the Union of India in 1949, the collection found a permanent home at the opulent Hamid Manzil within the fort-palace complex of the former princely state. As the Rampur Raza Library prepares for its 250th anniversary celebrations next year. Sanam Ali Khan, a great-granddaughter of Hamid Ali Khan, the ninth Nawab of Rampur, feels privileged to continue her family's work at the library.
Historical back ground
After Rampur State joined the Union of India, in 1949 the Library was controlled by the management of a Trust which was created on 6 August 1951 by Raza Ali Khan Bahadur. The Trust management continued until July 1975, when the Indian Parliament passed the Raza Library Act.
When the library was taken over by the Central Government, Nawab Syed Murtaza Ali Khan was nominated the vice-chairman of the newly created Board for life under sub-section 5 (1) of the Act. With his death on 8 February 1982, the post of vice-chairman was automatically abolished. Now the Library occupies the position of an autonomous institution of national importance under Department of Culture, Government of India and is fully funded by Central Government.
The Library is designated as a 'library of national importance' by the Ministry of Education. The library is also a designated 'Manuscript Conservation Centre' (MCC) under the National Mission for Manuscripts established in 2003.
Collections:
The rich collection also includes art objects, astronomical instruments, and historical coins. The holding of library covers the ancient and medieval languages such as Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Turkey, Pushto, Hindi, and Urdu languages. The manuscripts in these languages represent all important subjects including History, Philosophy, Religion, Science, Literature, Arts, and Architecture. The miniature paintings represent the Turko-Mongol, Mughal, Persian, Rajput, Decani, Pahari, Awadh, and Anglo-European schools of art which are considered immensely valuable for research scholars. In addition to the manuscripts, the printed book section has a unique importance, and this section contains hundreds of rare Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and Hindi books, which are now out of print and considered important for research work and are carefully preserved.
Hamid Manzil-named after Hamid Ali Khan, the ninth Nawab of Rampur who erected this imposing structure-shelters the library that cradles 17,000 rare manuscripts in Hindi, Persian, Arabic, Turkish, and Pashto, among many others, along with 83,000 books, 5,000 miniature paintings of Iranian, Mongolian, Mughal, Deccan origins and 3,000 specimens of Islamic calligraphy.
Rare Gems
- 7th-century Quran, a parchment scribed by 4th Caliph Hazrat Ali, penned in Arabic using old Kufic script
- 14th-century Jamiut-Tawarikh, an early illustrated Persian work chronicling history of Mongol tribes, authored by Rashiddudin Fazlullah. Reproduced copy was gifted by PM Modi to president of Mongolia in 2015
- Diwan-e-Hafiz, collection of poems from 16th century, provides only known painting capturing emperor Akbar’s Mongolian features
- Valmiki Ramayana, uniquely illustrated and translated into Persian in 1715, with 258 miniature paintings
- Diwan-e-Babar, Farsi manuscript written by Babar, presents his poetic side and his handwriting
Education amidst anarchy
- 1774 | Raza Library established, coinciding with inception of Rampur state
- 18th-19th century | Faizullah Khan, 1st nawab of Rampur, initiates library; as India experiences turbulence with decline of Mughal empire and Awadh, Rampur is safe haven due to allegiance to British. Libraries across India, including those of Mughal emperors and nawabs, ransacked after revolt against colonial rule
- Early 20th C | Hamid Manzil erected by 9th nawab, Hamid Ali Khan, at library’s current location
- 1951 | After Independence, Library comes under trust
- 1975 | Govt of India takes over library under Rampur Raza Library Act No. 22, declaring it institution of national importance
- 2023 | Library receives grant of Rs 7.2 crore
In stellar company
These libraries, each with its unique focus and specialisations, contribute significantly to preservation and dissemination of knowledge in India
- Delhi Book Library (Delhi) | Holds a vast collection of 1.5 million books. Known for extensive inventory
- Connemara Public Library (Chennai) | 7,70,000 books and 3,000-plus periodicals. Known for diverse range
- Saraswati Mahal Library (Thanjavur) | Predates Rampur Raza Library by over a century. Known for preserving palm leaf manuscripts in Sanskrit and South Indian languages
- Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Institute of Indology (Ahmedabad) | Specializes in preserving ancient Pali and Sanskrit manuscripts
- Khuda Baksh Library (Patna) | Holds around 21,000 oriental manuscripts. Known for collection of oriental manuscripts
Declaration: This report has been compile by DrLibSc Blog from the following reference sources.
References:
- https://indiaculture.gov.in/rampur-raza-library-rampur
- https://www.mygov.in/task/design-logo-commemoration-250-years-rampur-raza-library/
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/rampurs-iconic-raza-library-turns-250-and-the-town-just-cannot-keep-quiet/articleshow/106242026.cms
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indias-heritage-libraries-are-getting-a-new-lease-of-life/articleshow/103578258.cms?from=mdr
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raza_Library
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