By TCN Special Correspondent,
Lucknow: Situated amidst lush green trees in the backdrop of historical ‘white baradari’ is the Amiruddaula Public Library in Lucknow. The library which is a favourite rendezvous for book lovers completes the Qaiserbagh heritage zone with its architectural beauty.
Inaugurated by the then Governor Harcourt Butler in present building on March 6, 1926, the library offers ancient Budhist, Islamic and Hindu literature true to Lucknow’s tehzeeb under one roof. The rich collection of the library includes several rare manuscripts preserved in digital form. “These are a treasure for our library, most of them are handwritten on tamrapatra or on leaves of date. We have digitalised nearly 1500 of them for enhancing their life-span besides making them easily accessible to our readers,” said Librarian, Archana Khare.
Amiruddaula Public Library of Lucknow
The library is one stop for books in Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu, Eenglish, Arabic and Bangla. The manuscripts are in Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, Tibetan, Pali and Burmese languages. The Budhist literature written on the leaves of dates tree is also a treasure for the library. The library also has collection of textile designing dating back to 1873. Some of the rare manuscripts date back to 1247 circa.
The library which is now under the patronage of Divisional Commissioner (DC) was opened in Provincial Museum in 1882. Later it was formally opened for students in 1882 and then shifted to the first floor of Lal Baradari in year 1901. The journey of the library continued when it reached Chota Chatar Manzil in 1910. The final address where it is presently housed came when the building was specially built for it by the financial aid granted by Raja Amir Hasan Khan of Mahmoodabad in 1926.
“As the library has historical importance we want that the present generation is aware of it and develops an affinity for book reading,” said divisional commissioner Prashant Trivedi while chairing the annual grant meeting of the library on Monday. For the purpose, it has been decided to place a stone plaque at the main entrance of the library. The state government is also generous in sanctioning an annual grant of Rs 49 lakh for the library.
Presently the library is frequented by students, research scholars, senior citizens and other book loving denizens. The library boasts of a life membership of 5334 beside 266 being borrower members. The fee for life membership is only Rs 300 and for borrower membership the amount is Rs 250 annually. “The membership is steadily growing and more people are coming showing interest in the library and books. We also receive requests from people and organisations who want to donate their personal collection of books to the library,” said Khare.
The major donation came from Rani Leela Ram Kumar Bhargava in 2001 when she donated the personal library of Munshi Nawal Kishore along with the printing machines dating back to 1880 by munshi ji. The collection is now housed in a separate section named aptly as Munshi Nawal Kishore gallery.
The only drawback which is evident in the library being that the children section is situated in the basement. The section is well stuffed with children stories books, novels, comics and even DVDs and a TV along with toys to suit the interest of present day children. However as it is situated in the basement the parents do not allow their children to visit due to loneliness. “We understand the apprehension of the parents in sending their children but soon we are planning to shift the children section on the first floor and then it will be echoing with the playful laughter of children,” said librarian Khare.
The library has rare manuscripts in tampra patras relating to-
*Ishwasyapnishad-A collection of 18 mantras in sanskrit
*Prashnopnishad-A collection in question and answer forms related to hindu
religion.
*Keynepnishad-It is in two volumes each in prose and poetry.
*Kathopnishad-It contains the dialogue between in Nachiketa & Yamraj
*Ash-Shahul-Lama by Zainuddin Al Amli – A tafseer of Islam in Persian.
*Aayati Baiyynat by unknown writer detailing the verses of Quran.
*Kitabul Taharat
*Fiqah- Hanfi