Reading books has taken a backseat since the invention of Kindles and various e-books. But even today, if you ask a bibliophile about their favourite book, they will immediately let you know without thinking for a second. Wouldn’t you be happy if you were allowed to read a book in a library with more than 10000 books? Today, we will take you on a journey through India’s top 10 biggest libraries, where you can read any book of your choice.
1. National Library, Kolkata
The National Library of Kolkata is one of the top 10 biggest libraries in India. There is not just a huge volume of books; the library is well-maintained and clean. It was established in the year 1836 and has a collection of more than 2.2 million books. This collection involves periodic maps, manuscripts, and other books. Anyone with a library membership card can access the resources available in the library.
2. Saraswati Mahal Library
Saraswati Mahal Library was started by the Nayak king of Thanjavur in 1918 in Tamil Nadu. It is one of the oldest libraries in India so far. Rare collections of 60,000 palm-leaf manuscripts are available in different languages. The books and manuscripts cover various topics, including medicine, astrology, music, literature, and astronomy. Saraswati Mahal Library is a popular place for research scholars. There is a spacious hall in the library where one can study and read books.
3. Raza Library, Rampur
The unique building of the library holds more than 30,000 books and 500,000 manuscripts. These scripts primarily focus on Urdu literature and Persian and Arabic calligraphy. Raza Library was established by Nawaz Faizullah Khan in 1774 in the Rampur district of Uttar Pradesh. It not only features books but is also a house for numerous miniature paintings. It stands as an ancient treasure of knowledge and history.
4. Seshadri Memorial Library, Bengaluru
Seshadri Memorial Library is one of the oldest and biggest libraries in India. It contains more than 300,000 books of architectural knowledge and amazing literature. This library received the Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation Award for being India’s best central library. With more than 300 visitors per day, it is the best place for bibliophiles seeking books on countries’ ancient history.
5. Krishnadas Shama Central Library, Panaji
Situated amid the seashore of Goa lies the Krishnadas Shama Central Library. This library has an exclusive collection of Konkani and Portuguese books. Established in 1832 by Viceroy Dom Manuel, it offers a rich stock of over 180,000 books in various languages. Krishnadas Shama Central Library attained its national status on February 15, 1897. There are a total of 40,000 volumes of pre-liberation collections.
6. The Asiatic Society, Mumbai
Sir James Mackintosh created the Asiatic Society of Mumbai in 1804 as the Literary Society of Bombay. Later, it was renamed the Royal Asiatic Society of Bombay in 1830. The library contains many books on historic niches and India’s ancient languages and traditions. More than 15,000 manuscripts are in various languages, including Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, and Urdu. It is also home to over 100,000 books, journals, materials, and valuable items. Ancient Roman and Greek architecture inspired the building of the library’s design and patterns.
7. Trivandrum Public Library
Trivandrum Public Library, situated in the Thiruvananthapuram city of Kerala, nurtures more than 30,000 books. Founded in 1829, it is one of the first libraries built in India. This library’s specialty is serving books on ancient literature in different local and regional languages. Not only that but there is also a special library dedicated to young children. The library is constructed using traditional Kerala-style architecture by the famous architect Sri. K. M. Cherian. It was inaugurated in 1936. Influenced by modernization, a digital library allows users to access a vast collection of e-journals, digital resources, and other e-books. The library has also hosted several national and international seminars.
8. Anna Centenary Library, Chennai
Anna Centenary Library is one of the second biggest libraries in India. On September 15, 2010, this library was felicitated by the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi. It facilitates more than 1.2 million books, multimedia materials, and various Digital resources. All nine floors of the library building have beautiful collections of more than 5 lakh books. There is a wide collection of magazines, journals, and newspapers, both digital and printed. A different section covers Braille books for visually challenged people. The conference room accommodates more than 150 members. It has won several awards, including the “Best Public Library in Asia” award at the 2011 London Book Fair for its skyline building architecture and specialized design.
9. Hansa Mehta Library
Established in the year 1950, Smt. Hansa Mehta Library boasts a collection of more than 800,000 books and journals. This library is affiliated with the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. There are outstanding piles of ancient manuscripts and rare books. It is designed to consider the diverse choices of students’ research and academic needs. All these useful resources provide excellent material for literary and historical collections. In addition, the library can accommodate more than 1100 people at a time and has books older than the 16th century.
10. Delhi Public Library, New Delhi
The Government of India started the Delhi Public Library as a UNESCO project in 1951. It has over 18 lakh books in different languages and is one of India’s busiest libraries. The library is divided into various sections: reference, fiction, children’s, and rare book collections. Multiple manuscripts, maps, and books date from the 17th century. Delhi Public Library continues to inspire researchers, students, and the public.
Conclusion
India is home to many historic libraries. Each library, from the National Library of India in Kolkata to the Delhi Public Library, attracts researchers, scholars, and book lovers. It has a vast collection of manuscripts, books, and periods and provides a serene and calm environment for reading. Visiting these libraries will allow individuals to learn new things, connect with ancient history, and experience the magic of written words.
