Important Libraries of India: Establishment, Founder, Collections & Important Facts
Library Science Exam Notes: भारत में अनेक ऐतिहासिक पुस्तकालय हैं जो अपनी
प्राचीन पांडुलिपियों, दुर्लभ पुस्तकों, मुद्रित ग्रंथों, मानचित्रों, सिक्कों और अन्य ज्ञान-संसाधनों के लिए प्रसिद्ध हैं।
यह लेख Bihar Librarian, UGC NET/JRF Library Science, KVS Librarian, NVS Librarian, DSSSB Librarian
और अन्य Library Science examinations के लिए महत्वपूर्ण है।
📚 Important Libraries of India – Quick Revision Table
| Library | Place | Established | Founder / Associated Ruler | Important Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saraswathi Mahal Library | Tanjavur, Tamil Nadu | 1535–1676 C.E. period | Nayak Kings | One of the oldest libraries in Asia; magnificently developed by Serfoji II |
| Raza Library | Rampur, Uttar Pradesh | 1774 | Nawab Faizullah Khan | Famous for rare manuscripts, Arabic & Persian literature |
| Asiatic Society Library | Mumbai | 26 November 1804 | Sir James Mackintosh | Important collection of manuscripts, maps, coins and artifacts |
| Roman Rolland Library | Puducherry | 1827 | French administration; associated with Desbassyns de Richemont | Started as a public library during French rule |
| Kerala State Central Library | Thiruvananthapuram | 1829 | Travancore Kingdom | India’s first public library; originally called Trivandrum People’s Library |
| Krishnadas Sharma State Central Public Library | Goa | 1831 | Viceroy Dom Manuel de Portugal e Castro | Historically known as Publica Livraria |
| Calcutta Public Library | Kolkata | 1836 | Public initiative | Later became part of the history leading to the National Library of India |
| Connemara Public Library | Chennai | 1890 | Colonial Madras administration | Depository Library; also associated with UN publications |
| Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library | Patna, Bihar | 1891 | Khan Bahadur Khuda Bakhsh | Important Oriental manuscripts; Institution of National Importance |
| Birchandra State Central Library | Tripura | 1896 | Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya | Important historic library of Tripura |
| Gujarat Vidyapith Library | Ahmedabad, Gujarat | 1921 | Associated with Gujarat Vidyapith | Established during the national movement |
| Sinha Library | Patna, Bihar | 1924 | Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha | Named after Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha |
| Central Library of Baroda | Baroda/Vadodara, Gujarat | 1931 | Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III | Associated with the progressive library movement of Baroda |
1. Saraswathi Mahal Library, Tanjavur
Exam Alert: Saraswathi Mahal Library is one of the most important historical libraries of India and Asia.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Tanjavur (Thanjavur), Tamil Nadu |
| Origin | Associated with the Nayak rulers of Tanjavur, particularly the period 1535–1676 C.E. |
| Development | Magnificently developed during the rule of Maratha ruler Serfoji II (1798–1832) |
| Collection | Palm-leaf manuscripts in Tamil, Sanskrit and other Indian languages |
| Importance | Important centre for preservation of India’s manuscript heritage |
The Saraswathi Mahal Library is particularly famous for its rich collection of ancient manuscripts and palm-leaf manuscripts. It is an important example of the preservation of traditional Indian knowledge.
2. Raza Library, Rampur
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Rampur, Uttar Pradesh |
| Established | 1774 |
| Founder | Nawab Faizullah Khan |
| Major Collection | Rare manuscripts, Arabic and Persian literature, musical manuscripts and printed works |
| Languages | Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Hindi, Sanskrit and other languages |
| Special Importance | Known for its rich Indo-Islamic manuscript heritage |
UGC NET Point: Raza Library is particularly associated with
rare manuscripts and Arabic-Persian literature.
3. Asiatic Society Library, Mumbai
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Established | 26 November 1804 |
| Founder / Associated Person | Sir James Mackintosh |
| Collections | Ancient manuscripts, painted folios, coins, artifacts, maps and prints |
| Importance | Important institution for preservation and study of historical knowledge resources |
4. Roman Rolland Library, Puducherry
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Puducherry |
| Established | 1827 |
| Original Nature | Established as a Bibliothèque Publique (Public Library) |
| Historical Context | French rule in Puducherry |
| Associated Person | Desbassyns de Richemont |
| Importance | Recognized as an important historic public library of Puducherry |
5. Kerala State Central Library, Thiruvananthapuram
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala |
| Established | 1829 |
| Established Under | Travancore Kingdom |
| Original Name | Trivandrum People’s Library |
| Important Fact | Regarded as India’s first public library |
Remember: Kerala State Central Library → 1829 → Travancore → Trivandrum People’s Library
6. Krishnadas Sharma State Central Public Library, Goa
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Goa |
| Established | 1831 |
| Historical Name | Publica Livraria |
| Associated Ruler | Viceroy Dom Manuel de Portugal e Castro |
| Important Association | Krishnadas Sharma; regarded in retrospect as an important figure in Konkani literary history |
7. Calcutta Public Library, Kolkata
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Kolkata, West Bengal |
| Established | 1836 |
| Historical Importance | One of the important early public libraries in India |
| National Library Connection | The National Library of India has its historical roots in the Calcutta Public Library and the Imperial Library |
Exam Formula:
Calcutta Public Library → 1836
Imperial Library → 1891
National Library of India → Kolkata
Calcutta Public Library → 1836
Imperial Library → 1891
National Library of India → Kolkata
8. Connemara Public Library, Chennai
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Established | 1890 |
| Collections | Books, periodicals, centuries-old publications and important works |
| Special Status | One of India’s important Depository Libraries |
| International Role | Depository library for United Nations publications |
Most Important: Connemara Public Library, Chennai is an important
Depository Library and is associated with the deposit of publications of international organizations including the UN.
9. Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library, Patna
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Patna, Bihar |
| Established | 1891 |
| Founder | Khan Bahadur Khuda Bakhsh |
| Major Collection | Rare Oriental manuscripts, Islamic manuscripts, paintings and historical works |
| Special Status | Institution of National Importance |
Bihar Librarian Special: Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library is located in
Patna, Bihar and is especially important for Bihar Librarian examinations.
10. Birchandra State Central Library, Tripura
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Tripura |
| Established | 1896 |
| Associated Ruler | Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya |
| Importance | One of the important historic libraries associated with the princely state of Tripura |
11. Gujarat Vidyapith Library
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
| Established | 1921 |
| Associated Institution | Gujarat Vidyapith |
| Historical Importance | Associated with the educational and national movement of the period |
12. Sinha Library, Patna
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Patna, Bihar |
| Established | 1924 |
| Associated Person | Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha |
| Important Fact | Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha served as the first President of the Constituent Assembly of India |
13. Central Library of Baroda
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Baroda (Vadodara), Gujarat |
| Established | 1931 |
| Associated Ruler | Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III |
| Importance | Associated with the progressive library movement and public library development in Baroda |
⭐ Most Important One-Liner Facts for Exams
- Saraswathi Mahal Library → Tanjavur, Tamil Nadu
- Saraswathi Mahal Library → Associated with Nayak rulers and developed greatly under Serfoji II
- Raza Library → Rampur, Uttar Pradesh
- Raza Library → Established in 1774
- Raza Library → Associated with Nawab Faizullah Khan
- Asiatic Society Library → Mumbai
- Asiatic Society Library → 26 November 1804
- Roman Rolland Library → Puducherry
- Roman Rolland Library → 1827
- Kerala State Central Library → 1829
- Trivandrum People’s Library → Original name associated with Kerala State Central Library
- Krishnadas Sharma State Central Public Library → Goa
- Calcutta Public Library → 1836
- Imperial Library → 1891
- Connemara Public Library → Chennai
- Connemara Public Library → 1890
- Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library → Patna
- Khuda Bakhsh Library → 1891
- Khuda Bakhsh Library → Institution of National Importance
- Birchandra State Central Library → Tripura
- Birchandra State Central Library → 1896
- Gujarat Vidyapith Library → 1921
- Sinha Library → Patna → 1924
- Central Library of Baroda → 1931
🎯 Important Libraries – Chronological Order
| Year | Library | Place |
|---|---|---|
| 1535–1676 period | Saraswathi Mahal Library | Tanjavur |
| 1774 | Raza Library | Rampur |
| 1804 | Asiatic Society Library | Mumbai |
| 1827 | Roman Rolland Library | Puducherry |
| 1829 | Kerala State Central Library | Thiruvananthapuram |
| 1831 | Krishnadas Sharma State Central Public Library | Goa |
| 1836 | Calcutta Public Library | Kolkata |
| 1890 | Connemara Public Library | Chennai |
| 1891 | Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library | Patna |
| 1896 | Birchandra State Central Library | Tripura |
| 1921 | Gujarat Vidyapith Library | Ahmedabad |
| 1924 | Sinha Library | Patna |
| 1931 | Central Library of Baroda | Vadodara |
📝 Exam-Oriented Comparison
| Question Clue | Answer |
|---|---|
| Oldest historical library associated with Tanjavur | Saraswathi Mahal Library |
| Library famous for Arabic and Persian manuscripts | Raza Library |
| Library established by Nawab Faizullah Khan | Raza Library |
| Library associated with Sir James Mackintosh | Asiatic Society Library, Mumbai |
| Important historic library of Puducherry | Roman Rolland Library |
| India’s first public library | Kerala State Central Library |
| Originally called Trivandrum People’s Library | Kerala State Central Library |
| Important public library of Goa | Krishnadas Sharma State Central Public Library |
| Depository Library in Chennai | Connemara Public Library |
| Library located in Patna and famous for Oriental manuscripts | Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library |
| Institution of National Importance | Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library |
| Library associated with Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya | Birchandra State Central Library |
| Library associated with Sayajirao Gaekwad III | Central Library of Baroda |
| Library associated with Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha | Sinha Library, Patna |
🔥 Bihar Librarian Exam Special Facts
1. Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library is located in Patna, Bihar.
2. It was established by Khan Bahadur Khuda Bakhsh in 1891.
3. It is known for its rich collection of Oriental manuscripts.
4. It has been declared an Institution of National Importance.
5. Sinha Library is another important historical library located in Patna.
6. Sinha Library is associated with Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha.
📌 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Which is one of the oldest libraries in Asia?
Answer: Saraswathi Mahal Library at Tanjavur is widely recognized as one of the oldest libraries in Asia.
Q2. Who established the Raza Library?
Answer: Raza Library was established by Nawab Faizullah Khan in 1774.
Q3. Where is the Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library located?
Answer: It is located in Patna, Bihar.
Q4. When was the Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library established?
Answer: 1891.
Q5. Which library is located in Chennai and functions as a depository library?
Answer: Connemara Public Library.
Q6. Which library was originally known as Trivandrum People’s Library?
Answer: Kerala State Central Library.
Q7. Who developed the Saraswathi Mahal Library significantly?
Answer: Maratha ruler Serfoji II.
📢 Exam Tip: Library Science examinations frequently ask questions based on
Library + Place + Year + Founder + Special Collection/Status.
Therefore, do not memorize only the names. Learn them as combinations.
🎯 Quick Memory Trick
| Library | Remember As |
|---|---|
| Saraswathi Mahal | Tanjavur – Palm Leaf – Serfoji II |
| Raza Library | Rampur – Faizullah Khan – 1774 |
| Asiatic Society Library | Mumbai – Mackintosh – 1804 |
| Roman Rolland Library | Puducherry – French Rule – 1827 |
| Kerala State Central Library | 1829 – First Public Library |
| Connemara Public Library | Chennai – Depository Library – 1890 |
| Khuda Bakhsh Library | Patna – Oriental Manuscripts – 1891 |
| Sinha Library | Patna – Sachchidananda Sinha – 1924 |
| Central Library of Baroda | Sayajirao Gaekwad III – 1931 |
📚 Conclusion
The historical libraries of India represent the country’s rich tradition of knowledge preservation, manuscript conservation, public library development and cultural heritage. From the Saraswathi Mahal Library in Tanjavur to the Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library in Patna, these institutions preserve valuable manuscripts, books, maps, paintings and other documentary heritage.
For Bihar Librarian, UGC NET/JRF, KVS Librarian, NVS Librarian, DSSSB Librarian and other Library Science examinations, candidates should particularly focus on the year of establishment, location, founder/ruler, original name, collection and special status of these libraries.
