The general perception of libraries is as repository of
learning resources like manuscripts, books, periodicals, journals, letters,
microfilms and CDs. There are libraries of all kinds such as public libraries,
academic libraries or specific libraries such as Gandhi Sangrahalyas which
preserves documents related to the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi. There
are however libraries which preserve scientific models and instruments as well.
As such they become useful in understanding the history of development of
science, technology and entrepreneurship. In this article my personal quest in
understanding the development of astronomy and the subsequent entrepreneurship
of crafting astronomical instrument in certain regions of India has been
outlined. David Sassoon library of Mumbai is perhaps a unique library which has been established
by entrepreneurs for the promotion of craftsmanship. History of everything particularly
science, technology and education fascinates me. Recently I developed interest
in ancient astronomical instruments. In that connection I came to know that
there are two libraries in India which preserve Astronomical Instruments. A
small collection of unique medieval scientific instruments are kept in Khuda Bakhsh
Oriental Public Library at Patna. Another collection of scientific instruments are
preserved at Raza Library, Rampur. All these instruments have been catalogued
by great Sanskrit scholar R S Sarma. Two years ago I had the opportunity of
visiting Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public library in Patna to examine the
Astronomical Instruments. While examining the instruments I became interested
in history of public libraries. Last year I visited David Sassoon library and reading room in
Mumbai which was initially established as museum of mechanical models and
architectural design.
Raza Library, Rampur was founded by Nawab Faizullah Khan in
1774. It contains very rare and valuable
collection of manuscripts, historical documents, specimens of Islamic calligraphy,
miniature paintings, astronomical instruments and rare illustrated works in
Arabic and Persian languages besides 80,000 printed books. Rampur's Raza Library
also contains printed works in Sanskrit, Hindi, Urdu, Pashto, Tamil and Turkish,
and approximately 30,000 printed books
in various other languages. Nawab Faizullah Khan established the library
with his personal modest collection kept in the Tosha Khana of his Palace. Successive
Nawabs like Ahmad Ali khan, Muhammad Yusuf and Kalbe Ali Khan also enriched the collection. Nawab
Mohammad Saeed Khan created a separate
department for the library and shifted the collection to new rooms. The Nawab
invited well known calligraphers, illuminators and binders
from Kashmir and other parts of India. The Library has now attained
an International status of higher studies. There are old art objects and rare
astronomical instruments in the library. The oldest instrument of the
collection is an Astrolabe made by Siraj Damashqi in 1218. Chronologically the
next instrument is a Celestial globe crafted by Muhammad Ibn Jaffar at Kirman.
Another astrolabe designed by Ziauddin Muhammad of Lahore and undated mariner's astrolabe are also very important.
There are about 100 rare manuscripts, paintings and astrolabes in the online
gallery of library. India post issued a set of four commemorative stamps on
19.6.2009.
The history of David Sassoon Library is very fascinating. In
1847 a few young mechanics working in the Royal Mint and Government
Dockyard decided to form an association to promote knowledge and learning. The
association's objectives at that time were to set up a library and museum of
mechanical models and architectural designs, as well as to organize lectures
and discussions on science and technology. Thus was born the Sassoon
Mechanic's Institute. In 1863, Sir David Sassoon, a Jewish philanthropist
originally from Baghdad and a leading
banker of Mumbai, contributed Rupees sixty thousand to the government to build a Mechanic's
Institute. However, with the stoppage of the annual grant by the Imperial
Government, its activities gradually came to a standstill, until the institute
was reduced to its present state, namely a library and a reading room.
Consequently in March 1938, the Sassoon Mechanics' Institute was
rechristened the David Sassoon Library and Reading Room. The library
is housed in Venetian Gothic styled structure, completed in 1870.The Library
has been listed as a Grade heritage structure as per the Heritage Regulations
of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation .The library's main assets are the rare
books. Some of the books in the library's treasure are published way back in
the year 1798.The Library houses about 40,000 books in English, Marathi,
Gujarati and Hindi and is open all 365 days a year from 8 in the
morning till 9 at night. India post issued a commemorative stamp in 1998.
Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library, Patna was open for the
public in October 1891 with 4000 Oriental manuscripts. Maulvi Khuda Bakhsh donated his entire collection to
the nation by a deed of trust. Some of the notable manuscripts
are Timur Nama, Shah Nama, PadshahNama, Diwan-e-Hafiz and Safinatul
Auliya, carrying the autograph of Mughal Emperors and princes and the
book of Military Accounts of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The library offers
several digitized manuscripts in downladable PDF format. It also offers two
digitized albums on scientific instruments and Patna Qalam painting. The first album
shows all the twelve unique and rare scientific instruments. These are undoubtedly an important source for
the study and reconstruction of science and technology in the pre-Modern
period. They also provide an insight into the development of sciences like
astronomy, surgery and geography in pre-Modern India. Apart from it the library
also has specimens of Mughal paintings, sound recordings, maps, stamps, letters
of eminent personality, calligraphy and
book decoration and Arabic and Urdu manuscripts including a page
of Quran written on deer skin. Since 1977 the library has been publishing
regularly a multi-lingual research quarterly Khuda Bakhsh Library Journal.
India post issued a commemorative stamp on 21.11.1994 which shows an oriental rug of Taj
Mahal as motif preserved in the library.
These libraries are result of vision, passion and dedication
of some committed people whether Nawabs, philanthropist, bibliophile or ordinary
mechanics. There is not much literature available on history of public
libraries in India or their contribution in education entrepreneurship and
culture. The scientific instruments preserved at Rampur Raza library and Khuda Bakhskh
library are undoubtedly an important source for the study and reconstruction of
science and technology in the pre-Modern period. They also provide an insight
into the development of sciences like astronomy, surgery and geography in
pre-Modern India. It may be noted that these are the areas of scientific
study in which the Islamic world made the most memorable contribution in the
medieval ages and that the Indian subcontinent constituted an important centre
for such studies, even after the glory of Baghdad, Maghreb and Spain had come
to end. As such, these antiques constitute an essential part of our
heritage. Significantly, Patna was a well-known centre for making
sundials in the 19th century. Interestingly, a very large number of manuscripts in Khuda Bakhsh library relate to science and mathematics. Studies may
be conducted on these aspects. Case
studies may be undertaken on role of David Sassoon library in promotion of
indigenous technology, craftsmanship and entrepreneurship
in pre independence Mumbai.
