Rampur Raza Library, which recently ... celebrated its bi-centenary, is counted among the best libraries of the world, not because of its majestic Indo-European style of architecture ... but because of its prizest possession of about 15,000 rare manuscripts ... It was founded by the first Nawab of Rampur, Faizullah Khan (1774-94) who happened to be a great connoisseur of books. It was nourished and nurtured by his successor, Nawab Kalbe Ali Khan, and great-grand-son, Nawab Raza Ali Khan, after whose name it is known today.
The library was run by a family trust since its inception in 1798. But after the demise of the last ruler of Rampur, Nawab Raza Ali Khan in 1964 ... the timely intervention and ceaseless efforts of the late Prof. Nurul Hasan who also happened to be his son-in-law ... saved the library from further deterioration. And the library was declared as a National Institution "hrough an Act of Parliament in July 1975.
... Its prizest possession include a unique copy of the Holy Quran in early Kufi script attributed to the Prophet's son-in-law, Ali, dating back to 661 AD. Besides, there are other copies of Quran, one by the master calligrapher of the Caliph of Baghdad, Yaqut Al-Mustasimi, which bears the ornamentation in gold and precious stone colours dating back to 13th century AD, and another unparalleled copy in early Naskh style ascribed to the celebrated scholar and calligrapher, Ibne Muqla who had served three Caliphs of Baghdad as Prime Minister and died in 941 AD. He had reshaped the Arabic script into Naskh which is still in vogue in one form or the other ..
There is yet another unparalleled Arabic manuscript 'Sharah-e-Kafiya' of Razi which bears marginal notes by Nawab Sadullah Khan, Prime Minister of Emperor Shah Jahan, and a note by the Emperor himself in his own hand writing.
Another interesting work in Arabic is 'Ajaib Al-Makhluqat', profusely illustrated with figures of strange animals and exotic birds. It was originally written by Zakaria bin Mohd. Al-Qazwini dating back to 1283 AD.
Besides Arabic and Persian books, the library possesses a unique collection of ancient Indian art and culture ... is a marvellous copy of Balmiki's Ramayana in Persian with 258 illustrations and is a Ragmala Album with 35 paintings depicting various ragas and raginis with human figures and beautiful landscapes dating back to 17th century AD. The earliest manuscripts in Persian on Sufism is 'Risala-e-Ishqiya', compiled by Imam Ahmed Ghazali (123 AD),brother of the famous Islamic philosopher, Al-Ghazali.
Another interesting feature of the library is that it includes in its possession, manuscripts from other famous libraries of the world, like the libraries of Halab, Mecca, Median Tahmasp and the library of Shah Abbas Safavi of Iran. Besides, it includes the personal collection of many a Mughal emperor like Babar, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb, Mohamed Shah, Ahmed Shah, Alamgir-II, Adil Shah and Abdur Rahim Khane Khana etc.
Owing to its rich and rare collection of ancient manuscripts on history, art, architecture, religion, philosophy, Sufism and Unani medicine, the library attracts hundreds of scholars each year form all over the world. During the last four years 965 Indian and 99 foreign scholars visited for research and consultation under various exchange programmes.
The library functions under a Board appointed by the Government of India ... Dr. W.H. Siddiqui, a renowned archaeologist and former Director of the Archaeological Survey of India is its Director ... The library has established a Conservation Laboratory which is taking care of the dilapidated manuscripts. About 300 badly damaged manuscripts and paintings have so far been scientifically treated and preserved ... since February 1995.
The purchase and acquisition of manuscripts and other masterpieces of art had virtually ceased for the last three decades. However ... another 39 rare manuscripts, 122 historical documents and a unique document, Qaul Nama, measuring 60 X 35 cms with 65 signatures and seals of military officials of Rampur State dating back to the late 18th century and early 19th century, have been added to the ... collection.
Besides, the library acquired two private albums containing photographs of early European monuments and places of interest, including a unique postcard bearing the picture of Queen Victoria on one side and a Quranic verse ... on the other side dated 1800 AD.
In recent years ... notable developments in maintenance of manuscripts, their classification and cataloguing, additional facilities for scholars information rooms and quest chambers have been provided with ultra-modern facilities. A new section of art, architecture and archaeology has been set up with standard books from India and abroad. Approximately 5000 new books and journals have been added to the collection which include books received as gift and in exchange under cultural exchange programme.
Since Independence, no physical verification of extent record was carried out. The giant task was undertaken recently and about 13,409 manuscripts and paintings, and about 45,563 books have been physically verified and scientifically catalogued subject-wise as well as author-wise. Besides 20,000 index card have been prepared ...
A landmark achievement of the library is its computerisation ... Plans are afoot to launch the Raza Library on the Net by the turn of the century. (Source: The Hindustan Times, 4 October, 1998)