The Rampur Raza Library located in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh,.
Travel back in time with me to the magnificent Rampur’s Raza Library, where history and knowledge come to life. This library is a treasure trove of rare and valuable collections, including manuscripts, historical documents, and specimens of Islamic calligraphy. It boasts of having the original manuscript of the first translation of the Qur’an, in addition to other precious books and documents in languages such as Sanskrit, Hindi, Urdu, Pashto, Tamil, Turkish, and many others.
Established by Nawab Faizullah Khan in the late 18th century, Rampur’s Raza Library has grown into one of the largest libraries in Asia, thanks to the great patronage of the succeeding Nawabs who were scholars, poets, painters, calligraphers, and musicians. Under the rule of Nawab Muhammad Said Khan, the library was organized and shifted to new rooms, with the help of Afghan Scholar Agha Yusuf Ali Maulavi. The Nawab also invited well-known calligraphers and illuminators from India to add to the library’s beauty.
Nawab Yousuf Ali Khan Nazim, who succeeded his father, was a poet himself and sought guidance from the famous Mirza Ghalib. His collection of verses written in gold is still preserved in the library. After the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, Rampur became a hub of poets, writers, and scholars, attracting even more attention to the library. Nawab Kalb Ali Khan added rare manuscripts, paintings, and specimens of Islamic calligraphy to the collection, while Nawab Hamid Ali Khan built a magnificent Indo-European style building, Hamid Manzil, to house the library in 1957.
The last Nawab of Rampur, Raza Ali Khan, introduced modern education and was a lover of Indian music, adding even more rare manuscripts and books to the library’s collection. This library is truly a masterpiece of knowledge and history, and a must-visit for any lover of books and art. So pack your bags, and let’s embark on a journey to Rampur’s Raza Library!
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